MX5 automatic

[wiz043]

The main reason so many people poo-poo the auto MX-5's is that with the NA and NB models, the auto versions actually had less horespower than the manual cars and some models got smaller wheels too.


Why can't your wife drive a manual?
I would never marry a woman that couldn't drive a manual!

Sorry---all Australian delivered MX5 manuals and autos have the same horsepower and all had identical wheel sizes. The autos are a little heavier though. Source is redbook.com.au. Perhaps you mean grey imports and not the Aussie delivered ones as this is certainly the case in the US for example.

My wife never ever learnt to drive a manual car and claims she is getting too old to learn now. It wasn't a requisite when I married her, I only wanted beauty and brains.

[Dweezle]

Auto NA's at least here in Australia came with lower compression making less horsepower. Different camshafts making Max torque lower in RPM.

[Old Dude]

The main reason so many people poo-poo the auto MX-5's is that with the NA and NB models, the auto versions actually had less horespower than the manual cars and some models got smaller wheels too.


Why can't your wife drive a manual?
I would never marry a woman that couldn't drive a manual!

Sorry---all Australian delivered MX5 manuals and autos have the same horsepower and all had identical wheel sizes. The autos are a little heavier though. Source is redbook.com.au. Perhaps you mean grey imports and not the Aussie delivered ones as this is certainly the case in the US for example.

My wife never ever learnt to drive a manual car and claims she is getting too old to learn now. It wasn't a requisite when I married her, I only wanted beauty and brains.

Sure you did you just wanted her body

[wiz043]

Auto NA's at least here in Australia came with lower compression making less horsepower. Different camshafts making Max torque lower in RPM.

Cannot find any 1.6L NA autos at all on Redbook site. Some could have been specially imported here though. I know some early model NA autos came over from New Zealand but don't know the specs.

However the 1.8L model that sold here in November '93 and later had exactly the same horsepower and torque at the same rpm in their manual and auto models.

[de Bounce]

The main reason so many people poo-poo the auto MX-5's is that with the NA and NB models, the auto versions actually had less horespower than the manual cars and some models got smaller wheels too.

Sorry---all Australian delivered MX5 manuals and autos have the same horsepower and all had identical wheel sizes. The autos are a little heavier though. Source is redbook.com.au. Perhaps you mean grey imports and not the Aussie delivered ones as this is certainly the case in the US for example.

I only know about the NB8B
2003 Auto had 102Killer wasps and was fitted with the standard brakes (same size as the NB8A) and rolled on 15" rims
2003 Manual had 107Killer wasps and was fitted with the sports brakes and rolled on 16" wheels
Check redbook for the 2003 MX5 and compare the auto and manual.
Redbook don't even list a 2001 auto, however there is a Australian delivered one in the Vic MX5 Club which also rolls on 15's

Regarding the good and bad of the auto. If it makes you and your wife happy - who cares!

[wiz043]

de Bounce wrote:
I only know about the NB8B
2003 Auto had 102Killer wasps and was fitted with the standard brakes (same size as the NB8A) and rolled on 15" rims
2003 Manual had 107Killer wasps and was fitted with the sports brakes and rolled on 16" wheels
Check redbook for the 2003 MX5 and compare the [url=http://www.redbook.com.au/used-cars/compare.aspx?
Redbook don't even list a 2001 auto, however there is a Australian delivered one in the Vic MX5 Club which also rolls on 15's

Regarding the good and bad of the auto. If it makes you and your wife happy - who cares![/quote]



Yes, you are correct, also the same applies for the 2004 and early 2005 models before the NC ---I wonder why they made these changes just for these models. I didn't check the later NB's--sorry.
I notice the 2003 to 2005 manual model makes its peak power at 7000rpm and the auto's peak power is at 6500rpm. Also the auto has slightly more torque (2) than the manual according to the specs---weird!

Ha-ha, regarding your last comment---I was just curious to know if the autos made anyone else happy.

[de Bounce]

Regarding the good and bad of the auto. If it makes you and your wife happy - who cares!

Ha-ha, regarding your last comment---I was just curious to know if the autos made anyone else happy.

My throw away line may not have come across as intended.

I agree with most that the manual is the better choice, however if the situation dictates an auto, I could think of a lot worse (auto Nissan Pulsar).
The decision to buy an auto is your decision based on your requirements and you will be driving it.
If it makes you and your wife happy, then you have a win.

Most people base their opinion an the belief that the only way to drive an auto is in D for drag!
Many have never tried to use the gearstick to pre-select and hold the appropriate gears and revs.
IMHO the natural balance and handling of the MX5 chassis would be hardly diminished.

[wiz043]

Obviously, very few people on the forum drive auto MX5's, especially NB's and this is understandable as I would certainly have bought a manual if my wife could drive it. As de Bounce said----there are worse autos out there, the MX5 box is up there with the best.

I also drive a Toyota Aurion with a 6 speed auto and even with 200 killerwasps it has a nasty habit of dropping down to the 5th gear too early IMO and this can be annoying. I realise the 6th gear is very high tho, probably more like an overdrive.

Anyway guys, thanks for all your replies and input---I have learnt quite a lot from it regarding the various model specs etc.

[miata]

NA6A Automatics were less powerful than the manual, from memory around 10Kw down. They were not grey imports, they were available on order from the dealer. Not many were sold.

[MINX]

wiz043, only just noticed this thread.

I drive manual SE now for over 3 years, as DD and track and everything else
But we have owned a Mazda 6 Auto for nearly 12 mths.
We also had the opportunity to play with a 2010 PRHT Auto for a full weekend clocking up over 500kms.
The current Mazda Autos are a great thing.
Smooth, predictable, controllable, economical and very easy to use, and overide if the circumstances warrant (not often required).
I enjoy the manual, so does Lisa, but If i changed to an NC(notice i did not say upgrade) I would be happy to choose the auto.
The main advantage is ease when driving in traffic.

[wiz043]

NA6A Automatics were less powerful than the manual, from memory around 10Kw down. They were not grey imports, they were available on order from the dealer. Not many were sold.

Fair enuff! I will be going overseas for 2 weeks tomorrow 5th June so I wont be around to annoy anyone for a while---ha-ha!

[93_Clubman]

Can't remember where, but read recently that NA6, & possibly the NA8, automatic transmission was unrepairable or very, very difficult to repair - don't know the veracity of this information.

[slowpoke]

My understanding too is that the cost of repairing the 4 speed automatic gearbox of the NA/NB is excessive/prohibitive. I can say with the authority of previous ownership tho that an NB8A automatic, that's been dríven with due care and consideration, is equipped with an excellent type of gearbox. A true Jekll and Hyde car! My only beef with that automatic was that top gear (4th) couldn't be 'held'. With the NC2 semi-automatic ANY of it's 6 speeds can be 'held', giving the driver the same sense of control as with a manual.
Why anyone (unless perhaps they want to race it) would choose to buy a manual NC2 instead of the 'Activematic' version confounds me.
I can only think that anyone who criticises the automatic MX5, whether it's an NB8A/B/C or NC2, simply hasn't experienced what it offers.

[slowpoke]

Step.. your 'shift' lever does NOT have an overdrive button. The button on the lever is the 'HOLD' button.
My 2 cents worth is that if you love your NA be kind to your automatic gearbox because if/when it goes wrong it'll more than likely be too costly to repair..
If you haven't got a copy of Mazda's MX-5 Owner's Manual try and get hold of one as it explains in detail how to extract the best performance from your gearbox without you feeling the need to drive your car as a clutchless manual. Second-hand bookshops can sometimes have "Owner's Manuals" at sensible prices. The 1994 1.5L '121' "bubble" sedan's Owner's Manual contains the same info regarding how to use the automatic as does the Owner's Manual of the 1999 NB8A. Cheers from a slowpoke!

[Mr Morlock]

I think manuals are still likely to be the best sellers for MX5- but not sure on facts- the soft top car is certainly now a special order so the market may be softening insofar as the "enthusiast" is concerned.