Mazda3 Automatic Transmission for track day??

Hey everyone, I am considering getting a 04-08 mazda3, and I was curious if anyone has any experience with a Mazda automatic/sport shift transmission on a track? I would normally get a manual, but I am going to be doing a lot of driving in traffic and thought an auto might be nice for daily driving.

So what are your opinions on how well the tranny might hold up on a track like Sebring? I have a few HPDE's under my belt in and maybe 15 autox's (which I would also use the car for).

I would assume upshifts would be fine, but I have no idea if the tranny could handle the many high speed downshifts. I would definitely install a tranny cooler, but I don't even know how the tranny would react on track, and if it would try to take over shifts too often.

Upgrades to the car would include some 140-200 TW tires, race pads, and koni yellows.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

I've driven my cousin's mazda3 auto (2003) and it actually responds well to manual mode, lets you wind the gear out and wont shift on you whenever it pleases to.

was that on a track or on public roads?

does anyone make a shift kit for that?

Or a transmission cooler? That would be my big worry.

shift kit, I don't know... I would think any type of generic aluminum tranny cooler would work fine though, mounted in front of the condensor...?

In reply to 240TrackX:

public roads, just toolin around. I left it in manual mode on accident one time and the RPMs were just screaming and I was confused, then I realized that I wasn't in auto mode and it was just holding the revs up.

Anyone used any mazda sport automatic on a track??

Like any auto, so long as you keep it cool it will be happy. Install a trans temp gauge and a big cooler.