If you own a 626 or MX-6 from 2002 backward, you probably know that automatic transmissions were never Mazda's strong suit. They never know when, how, or why to shift, and their downshift-happy antics are a pain in the ass during city driving. My only question is: has this changed? How are the automatics on the new 6 and RX-8? And are all of the units on the 6 actually made by MAZDA now? I remember
94-97 (or is it 94-02?) 626 4-cylinders having Ford automatics that shifted just as badly as Mazda's, except broke a LOT (guess who took the blame?). I drove a 4-cylinder 6 for five minutes and noticed only smooth shifting, but this might be too short a stint. Do they still downshift at the slightest provocation? Etc? Or has Mazda's Achilles Heel at long last been cured?- posted
20 years ago