MX5 automatic

[xmx106]

The 1.6L series 1 NA 1990 automatic was never delivered to Australia, unless you somehow had a very close relationship with a Mazda dealer and even then I dont think you could get one, the 1.8L series 2 NA was the first to offer it as an option in Australia and at first I think it was the same L4N71B box. The series 1 automatic box is an L4N71B all hydraulic, the same box used in the RX7 turbo and the 929 with the 2.2L J2 engine, the V6 3.0L JE 929 had an electronic version of the same box designated N4A-EL. For these 929's they also increased the bearing and gear widths to handle the greater torque of the V6 engine. These auto transmissions can handle a beating they can handle much more power and torque than the 1.6L engine can throw at them and also a much heavier car than the mx5. The Commodore VL with the Nissan V6 had this L4N71B Jatco transmission in it.
They are not renouned in the mx5 for a smooth shift into second gear until they warm up, I think the mx5 is too light a car the change thumps in, the O/D button only switches off the overdrive band solenoid and so it becomes a 3 speed instead of a 3 speed with overdrive (4speed). The N4A-EL automatic electronic transmission has a hold button that keeps the selected gear and prevents shifting, they also had a power and economy button this is like the overdrive button, power no overdrive, economy setting has the overdrive permanently in all ranges. They had a separate EC-AT control unit as well as the engine computer to help control all this push button stuff. Impossible to repair, I doubt it, costly ? I dont know.

[miata]

Wrong! I've dríven one.

As for all the arguments about automatics, I've always considered myself a "purist" as anyone who has been on this forum for more than five years will know. There comes a time however, when because of age/health or whatever, that one loses the ability to do certain things, for various reasons. There will be some here that remember me being bundled into an ambulance and transported from Wakefield Park, after Patsy Chivers noticed that I was in respiratory distress and had a word with the Paramedic on duty at one of our track days. To cut a very long story short, Patsy saved my life and I do mean LITERALLY!
That was more than ten years ago and I'm still here but I do suffer from Peripheral Neuropathy, which involves a lack of feeling in the lower limbs. Not a condition that you want when trying to drive a manual car! For someone who loves Sports Cars, a condition like this, means that there are only two options, one of which, is compromise and accept that an automatic transmission may extend the period of your life which allows you to enjoy the mode of transport that you have staunchly supported for the vast majority of your brief but enjoyable stay on this planet.

[xmx106]

Wrong!

Justify your statement, "wrong !" get real, thats not worth the effort to make a post.
Any series 1 auto is probably a grey import, they never came in as an option for Australia, thats why the red book doesnt mention them. Anything in my post you also find incorrect or offensive ?

Sure it wasnt a eunos roadster with the badges changed.
Or the 1.8L series 2

Quick recovery to your original post, I am the last one to knock automatics, I drive them all the time, I have had 3 x 929 auto's 1985 to 1997 and my mate has a 1990 automatic eunos roadster import, I did some research on his hard shift into second gear. Thats why I went into the technical side of it, lets hear from the person who has the 1990 to 1993 1.6L NA that was imported with an Australian compliance plate, please stand up.

[Mr Morlock]

I am with Miata- if an auto for whatever reason makes driving easier and more enjoyable in an MX5 then it gets a big tick.The subject of autos in almost everything else has been accepted for decades. Its still a sports car in my book.

[miata]

Wrong!

Justify your statement, "wrong !" get real, thats not worth the effort to make a post.
Any series 1 auto is probably a grey import, they never came in as an option for Australia, thats why the red book doesnt mention them. Anything in my post you also find incorrect or offensive ?

Sure it wasnt a eunos roadster with the badges changed.
Or the 1.8L series 2

Quick recovery to your original post, I am the last one to knock automatics, I drive them all the time, I have had 3 x 929 auto's 1985 to 1997 and my mate has a 1990 automatic eunos roadster import, I did some research on his hard shift into second gear. Thats why I went into the technical side of it, lets hear from the person who has the 1990 to 1993 1.6L NA that was imported with an Australian compliance plate, please stand up.

I drove it in 1990, before there were any grey imports and of course before the 1.8 appeared, also before I placed the order for my first MX-5 in October '91.

[93_Clubman]

Tks Miata - like xmx106, I thought all RHD auto NA6s in Australia were JDM, or perhaps the odd private import, but clearly there were some ADM, which is useful to know.

[miata]

Tks Miata - like xmx106, I thought all RHD auto NA6s in Australia were JDM, or perhaps the odd private import, but clearly there were some ADM, which is useful to know.

There may only have been a few and they might have been here to test the market, which might be why they don't show up in Red Book.

[DiscoAtom]

I'm a recent owner of an automatic NC Mx-5 and a very happy owner at that. In my years of driving both manual and auto cars, autos and automated manuals such as DSG, I believe the current crop of autos are almost as good a manuals. The transition between gears is virtually seamless and smooth, gear selection is quite accurate and with semi-autos such Activematics they even do a decent job of engine braking while going down hill. At low speeds, the Activematic feels like there is a direct mechanical connection between the engine and rear wheels. It's only when you are accelerating hard that you notice the auto lag. When in city traffic, the auto box is so good I don't bother with the paddles, I just leave it in "D" and concentrate on the blasted speed limit signs...

One thing I haven't tried is how well it will hold the preset speed in Cruise compared to a manual. Years ago on my early morning runs home on Victoria Road, with my Toyota Manual Diesel Prado, I would stick it in 5th and Cruise, and it will hold my preset speed within +/- 1 km/hr all the way from Anzac Bridge to West Ryde.

[slowpoke]

GREETINGS DiscoAtom!
Is your NC a series one? Or a series two?

[DiscoAtom]

G'day Slowpoke, it's a series 1 2007 model. I guess I better update my profile.

[GP]

They are not renouned in the mx5 for a smooth shift into second gear until they warm up

My NA6 Roadster Auto does this too, Nice to know that it's considered normal. Certainly makes cornering in the wet interesting

[XMX500]

Like Step I drive my Auto as a clutchless manual,if I don't I find it slips into top too early.I almost never allow it to engage top under 8o ks.
Rather than use the Hold button I simple engage "S" which allows it to operate between 1st, 2nd and 3rd and unlike the Hold mode at rest it takes off in 1st gear. The decision to buy an Auto was a concession to the wife, not that she will ever drive it, but over the years she has felt she gets more car sick as a passenger in a manual.Given I an using the "5" for work 4 days a week I' m now quite happy to have an auto. By the way it has now just tick over 40,000 kms .
Keith

[poverty rider]

My NC is auto and I prefer automatics - it is a personal choice.

I do have 1 complaint though, it goes well when I put it in 'D' during the daytime but when I put it 'N' for night the car won't move.

[ak_perth]

^^^ lol

[Black_Penguin]

D for drag, R for race right...