Difference in automatic and a stick in a Festiva

[shell]

I was told that a 5 speed transmission is better than a automatic is that true? On terms of the engine which is better? I had a 5 speed but the engine blew up and now I have a chance to buy an automatic festiva but I don't know. If anybody can help please do so!

[ejp2fast]

in terms of the engine, they are IDENTICAL. If you swap to an automatic, you'll have to get all the shift stuff converted- normally people swap from automatic to manual, not the other way. MPG is a little better in the manual as there is extra gears (3 spd automatic vs 4 spd or 5 spd manual)

[dahodges]

The auto will only get 35 mpg and is a in town only car. There is no overdrive on the auto. I would replace the engine in that 5 speed in a heartbeat.

[25Horseplay]

The auto will only get 35 mpg and is a in town only car.

The auto can be driven on the highway anywhere, it just revs alittle higher due to no overdrive. I have an auto in my green car and have taken it on many out of state trips and driven at 75-80 mph without any problems. (with A/C on too!)

[shell]

Thanks I needed some help and I got it this site is so cool thanks who ever created.

[freshtiva]

My auto turns 3900 rpm at 70, my five speeds turn 2900 at 70. I feel like Im abusing the auto driving it at speeds over 70. It seems wound tight.

[deathegg]

also consider if you drive in a lot of stop and go traffic. Since i moved here to SoCal from Pittsburgh, i sometimes secretly wish my Festy was an automatic....traffic in a manual trans around here is not much fun.

[GenevaDirt]

^^ you need another one...make it an auto and then you can choose by what the purpose for the ride is.

[SimonTuffGuy]

The auto won't get quite as good of gas mileage... And is going to be more expensive to replace than a clutch with a manual (the auto trannies are also harder to find in my junkyards) - But you'll still have an AMAZING little car.

Go for it.

[FoxProGT]

is it just me or does it seem like the auto tranys used in festivas never burn out?

[Pu241]

...I have a chance to buy an automatic festiva but I don't know. If anybody can help please do so!

Cambridge, OH!
45 minutes from me!
You don't want that auto.
Where's it at anyway?

If your ready I should have a small squadron headed your way Sat(5/24) morning!

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showpost.php?p=137242&postcount=30

[Damkid]

is it just me or does it seem like the auto tranys used in festivas never burn out?

i used to drive an auto 90 LX and i was VERY hard on the tranny and it held up, but that was also on the B3

[miami man]

my 91 auto drops into nuatral by itself but my 93 is fine

[m715]

If anyone could kill one, I work with the guy...... Tweety, 91 L ATX Aspire engine I came up with a couple of years ago installed, gets run down the Interstate at top speed DAILY leaving many in its wake. They are tough. Same gear ratio as a 4 spd, so I put my vote as go ahead and give it a try! Just an extra 2 cents worth. I had an 84 Isuzu PUP with an ATX that wound tighter than a rubber band. At 12X,XXX miles, a heater hose gave out and blew the head gasket. Shut off before warpage in head. You can believe me or not, but the cylinders still showed hone crosshatch on teardown. One just like it, but 5 spd, had a serious ridge cut in the top of the cylinders from dogging I would have guessed. Taught me the lesson about Japanese 4 cyls, run them with higher Rs. They are made to do that, and I believe they lubricate/wear better. The carb cars I have tend to run rich, and I try to run them a little harder than most do, and they keep the plugs a great deal cleaner than running it for"gas milage" as was suggested to me. I also picked up an avg 2 MPG on my 37 mile rally commute on hilly secondary roads. I bought a 90 LX ATX to try it, but due to lazyness, and incompetence, it languishes at the shop still as we speak, crate FMS engine and all. But that is another story......
Michael

[jglutz]

In the long run....not being a maniac like me...the lower RPM engine will always last longer.

All engines have a given life determined by a total number of Total Revolutions.
Total Revolutions = (RPM)X(Total Minutes Running)
So the less RPM's over time increases the life span of the engine.

This fact leans in favor of a well geared manual over a poorly geared auto.

However, manual trannys run with higher cylinder pressures when climbing a hill as compared to and auto where the torque converter buffers some of these harsh loads that will take a toll on the rings and valves

What's better....manual or auto...what ever suits your driving needs.