I read a lot... Flashing Hold light... please read.

[thxone]

Ryan, I understand where you are coming from and I will not dispute your points as they are valid. What I did was got ahold of a company that sells valve bodies. I explained via email to a gentleman my exact issues, make and model of the car as well as the engine and transmission. He responded by letting me know that the Mazda F4A-EL was notorious for having problem solenoids which caused all kinds of driving issues. He said that they have the part I need and that when they rebuild their valve bodies that they use superior valves and solenoids. He said that my symptoms sound solenoid related and that he was certain of it from his experience.

So I will be ordering this part for $229 + $17.50 shipping.

Also:
Trans Cooler - Flex-a-lite $39.95 (7.5x20.5x.75")
Trans Filter w/gasket - $18.99
ATF - 4 x $3.00

So I should be able to fix this ATX for about $320

[Ryan]

I do respect you for going this route, as not many people bother to even fix it (ie, buy a new car).

It would still be my personal choice to switch to a 5 speed:
-I can choose how my car runs
-I can choose when to put down power
-It won't give me grief unless I break it (no random failures).
-I find autos painfully boring to drive
-Less driveline losses -> potential for better MPG

But you seem to have your mind made up, so please let us know how this goes, so the next guy can have another option at his disposal.

[thxone]

Will do... I do prefer a manual drive however my poorness has dictated what I must drive for now. Once the ATX is fixed I can focus on the car itself and see if I want a V6 5-speed version

Good thing I finally found another job.

[Nd4SpdSe]

I do respect you for going this route, as not many people bother to even fix it (ie, buy a new car).

It would still be my personal choice to switch to a 5 speed:
-I can choose how my car runs
-I can choose when to put down power
-It won't give me grief unless I break it (no random failures).
-I find autos painfully boring to drive
-Less driveline losses -> potential for better MPG

But you seem to have your mind made up, so please let us know how this goes, so the next guy can have another option at his disposal.

I'm not adding this for terms of argument. I also respect the choice you decide to make since you seem very knowledgable and understand our points and know what you're getting into, but just to add:

- If the slave dies, you can still drive and shift. Gotta learn to rev match to shift, and starter-bump-start the car from dead stops.
- If the starter dies, again, you can bump start the car