[CL]

Hey,

I recently took a Mazda3 GX out for a spin and found it very sluggish at low revs despite its 148 hp powerplant. I was expecting a lot more from it, but then I learned that the transmission is exactly the same for both engines.

I took a sport wagon out the other day just to give it one more chance. What a difference 15 lb/ft of torque and a bit of valve wizardry make! In my mind there's just no comparison. I think the smaller engine would be more fun to drive if the gearing was different, especially second. I had an old VW once with just 100 hp or so. The car was light and the gear ratios seemed to be a perfect match for the tiny engine. I swear that old car had more spunk that the base 3.

CL

 

[budgy]

Actually the 2.0l engine also has taller gears, so it should be a LOT slower then the 2.3l with more power and more aggressive gearing.

 

[CL]

Really? I was told by the service staff that the trannies are the same. I guess i shouldn't be too surprised . . . the difference was incredible.

 

[budgy]

I would not believe one word the guys from a dealership tells you....especially salesmen. But I realized I made a mistake, the gear ratios on the 5speed manuals is the same. But if you were driving automatics that would make a bigger difference as the final drive ratio is different in the automatics.

Otherwise the 5Spd tranny is the same and the difference is really just the engine itself.

 

[dinu01]

Moved to Powerplant

 

[dinu01]

Please contionue here: http://mazda3forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=452