1996 1800 AUTOMATIC

Alz · Post by **Alz** » Thu May 04, 2006 9:23 pm

I am in the process of looking for an MX5 and joining your community.
I have found a '96 1800cc but with an automatic transmission.
Are there any known issues with the auto trans. I would prefer a manual but I
may be able to get this car at a good price so I am considering it.
The car would be used as a weekend fun machine and possibly a daily commuter
in light traffic.
Am I likely to be disappointed in the performance with an auto?
The car has been kept outside for the last 4 years and the sun has taken its
toll on areas that have been directly exposed to its rays - mainly the front
and rear bumpers and the top parts of the panels down one side.
The red has gone milky although the surface hasn't cracked like some of the
examples I have viewed over the last couple of weeks. Can this be treated
with a polish or something similar or is it a case of a repaint? Are these
cars clearcoated (Jap import)?
Thank you in advance.
Al Campbell

Okibi · Post by **Okibi** » Thu May 04, 2006 9:32 pm

UNLESS for medical reasons you need to have an automatic DON'T DO IT!

(Unless it's an AUTO NC they're almost as good as a manual).

Hold out, it may seem like a bargain but you're not gonna get that whole
MX-5 experience.

Don't sell yourself short and get an inferior substitute.

- Dave.

Okibi · Post by **Okibi** » Thu May 04, 2006 9:32 pm

UNLESS for medical reasons you need to have an automatic DON'T DO IT!

(Unless it's an AUTO NC they're almost as good as a manual).

Hold out, it may seem like a bargain but you're not gonna get that whole
MX-5 experience.

Don't sell yourself short and get an inferior substitute.

- Dave.

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Thu May 04, 2006 9:51 pm

Take it for a drive and see what you think.
Although I have an auto for medical reasons it is still a very enjoyable
drive. You lose a bit of power with the auto but on the windy roads just
lock it into second and go for it! You will have as much fun as most do in
their manuals.
I possibly would prefer a manual but am definitely not disappointed in my
auto. My 1998 1800 NB has a much better gearbox than my 1992 NA 1600. Not
sure what the gearbox would be in the one you are looking at. The later one
seems to be a better design and you can lock it in each gear similar to a
manual. The earlier one wouldn't let you do this.
As far as life of the gearbox is concerned my 92 has now done close to
220,000ks and still runs beautifully, despite it being used by my daughter!.
The 98 has done about 68,000.
Wife was disappointed at first at lack of manual but is now quite happy with
the auto.

Grant

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Thu May 04, 2006 9:51 pm

Take it for a drive and see what you think.
Although I have an auto for medical reasons it is still a very enjoyable
drive. You lose a bit of power with the auto but on the windy roads just
lock it into second and go for it! You will have as much fun as most do in
their manuals.
I possibly would prefer a manual but am definitely not disappointed in my
auto. My 1998 1800 NB has a much better gearbox than my 1992 NA 1600. Not
sure what the gearbox would be in the one you are looking at. The later one
seems to be a better design and you can lock it in each gear similar to a
manual. The earlier one wouldn't let you do this.
As far as life of the gearbox is concerned my 92 has now done close to
220,000ks and still runs beautifully, despite it being used by my daughter!.
The 98 has done about 68,000.
Wife was disappointed at first at lack of manual but is now quite happy with
the auto.

Grant

DaveR · Post by **DaveR** » Fri May 05, 2006 12:03 pm

I agree with Dave. Unless you really need an automatic, buy a manual. It
is just so much fun going up and down the box. I've had an auto Vectra
for 3 years - my first auto - for family transport. I bought my MX-5
about 6 weeks ago, and it is SO NICE to have manual again

! And such
a nice manual, too.

I see changing gear as a skill to practice, and just part of the fun of
driving the car. I get a kick out of making nice smooth changes - don't
always manage it, but it's nice when I do. Maybe a hangover from my
motorbike days when it was easy to get a slick change on a bike.

But that's just my personal opinion. I'm sure you'll still enjoy the car
if it's an auto (but not as much as a manual I reckon

).

Regards

Dave

David wrote:

[...]

[...]

DaveR · Post by **DaveR** » Fri May 05, 2006 12:03 pm

I agree with Dave. Unless you really need an automatic, buy a manual. It
is just so much fun going up and down the box. I've had an auto Vectra
for 3 years - my first auto - for family transport. I bought my MX-5
about 6 weeks ago, and it is SO NICE to have manual again

! And such
a nice manual, too.

I see changing gear as a skill to practice, and just part of the fun of
driving the car. I get a kick out of making nice smooth changes - don't
always manage it, but it's nice when I do. Maybe a hangover from my
motorbike days when it was easy to get a slick change on a bike.

But that's just my personal opinion. I'm sure you'll still enjoy the car
if it's an auto (but not as much as a manual I reckon

).

Regards

Dave

David wrote:

[...]

[...]

EricW · Post by **EricW** » Fri May 05, 2006 5:05 pm

My 94 1800 is auto. I personally would have preferred a manual, but I am not
the only one making the decision!

As a commuter the auto is fine, in Auckland traffic way better than a manual,
but it needs work to make it sit up and pay attention if you want to drive
quickly.

I find that driving the gearbox manually works quite well, using the "Hold"
button to force a downshift and selecting gears with the lever produces a good
result. The accelerator seems to have a soft and a hard position, you can
tootle round without using a lot of throttle and think the car is a bit flat,
but if you overcome the resistance in the pedal, and really give it some
welly, it responds very well indeed.

You might lose a bit in fun, but in realistic terms you do not lose much in
useable performance with an auto,

As far as the paint is concerned, a good cut will fix the metal parts in most
instances, if it is not too far gone, red is the worst of all colours for
fade. But if the nose cone and other parts are faded, the only real solution
is a respray of the affected parts. I did mine a while ago, nose cone, boot
lid, rear bumper and rear no. plate surround, with everything taken off the
car and the job done properly. It was about $650 from memory. This included a
machine cut of all the parts that were not painted and the car looked like new
again.

Had the car been for sale, I am sure the expense incurred would have been
recouped in an increased sale price, condition seems to be more important than
age in determining the right price for an MX5, so if you buy the car at the
right price, it is worth doing.

My 5 has just cracked 100,000 and, touch wood, the auto, and everything else
mechanical is holding together very well

Eric

From pamhanover@yahoo.co.nz Fri Apr 27 17:58:36 2007
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;
Date: Fri, 5 May 2006 17:33:45 +1200 (NZST)
From: Pam Hanover <pamhanover@yahoo.co.nz>
Subject: MX5 roof.
To: mx5list@mx5club.org.nz
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Hi all,
We have had our car for a few weeks now, and are having loads of fun.
The roof which is in good condition still, looks like it needs cleaning/conditioning with something.
What product is good for keeping the cars foldown roof clean and in good condition.

Thanks.
Dave and Pam

EricW · Post by **EricW** » Fri May 05, 2006 5:05 pm

My 94 1800 is auto. I personally would have preferred a manual, but I am not
the only one making the decision!

As a commuter the auto is fine, in Auckland traffic way better than a manual,
but it needs work to make it sit up and pay attention if you want to drive
quickly.

I find that driving the gearbox manually works quite well, using the "Hold"
button to force a downshift and selecting gears with the lever produces a good
result. The accelerator seems to have a soft and a hard position, you can
tootle round without using a lot of throttle and think the car is a bit flat,
but if you overcome the resistance in the pedal, and really give it some
welly, it responds very well indeed.

You might lose a bit in fun, but in realistic terms you do not lose much in
useable performance with an auto,

As far as the paint is concerned, a good cut will fix the metal parts in most
instances, if it is not too far gone, red is the worst of all colours for
fade. But if the nose cone and other parts are faded, the only real solution
is a respray of the affected parts. I did mine a while ago, nose cone, boot
lid, rear bumper and rear no. plate surround, with everything taken off the
car and the job done properly. It was about $650 from memory. This included a
machine cut of all the parts that were not painted and the car looked like new
again.

Had the car been for sale, I am sure the expense incurred would have been
recouped in an increased sale price, condition seems to be more important than
age in determining the right price for an MX5, so if you buy the car at the
right price, it is worth doing.

My 5 has just cracked 100,000 and, touch wood, the auto, and everything else
mechanical is holding together very well

Eric

From pamhanover@yahoo.co.nz Fri Apr 27 17:58:36 2007
DomainKey-Signature: a=rsa-sha1; q=dns; c=nofws; s=s1024; d=yahoo.co.nz;
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b=c3R94BnsKXNfgJu1WxjGmj119dtSaSuFVXD8gUdHrvNabYSXo+7wfKzMB01eOQFzQR7ZRN0MprcpmVB1aFHzNKG/qm/myMG4g6R8Z3LbQ2pyNHztNeUX1mVJU6Bttbl8AUT3hh3Na1GErQyblV5ob7Pgv7yIQ0C4rpEI2589nyI=
;
Date: Fri, 5 May 2006 17:33:45 +1200 (NZST)
From: Pam Hanover <pamhanover@yahoo.co.nz>
Subject: MX5 roof.
To: mx5list@mx5club.org.nz
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Precedence: list
Message-ID: <Xt6B3C.A.FTH.bGZMGB@L733>

Hi all,
We have had our car for a few weeks now, and are having loads of fun.
The roof which is in good condition still, looks like it needs cleaning/conditioning with something.
What product is good for keeping the cars foldown roof clean and in good condition.

Thanks.
Dave and Pam

Okibi · Post by **Okibi** » Fri May 05, 2006 10:52 pm

You might lose a bit in fun, but in realistic terms you do not lose much in
useable performance with an auto

I've never owned auto MX-5 and have only driven the Auto NC.

BUT .. I'd say you won't loose much "fun" but will loose more in useable
performance.

- Dave.

Okibi · Post by **Okibi** » Fri May 05, 2006 10:52 pm

You might lose a bit in fun, but in realistic terms you do not lose much in
useable performance with an auto

I've never owned auto MX-5 and have only driven the Auto NC.

BUT .. I'd say you won't loose much "fun" but will loose more in useable
performance.

- Dave.

ianbell · Post by **ianbell** » Sat May 06, 2006 8:16 am

Before I bought my MX5 a year ago I drove manuals as well as an auto. The
auto felt like any other auto car - nothing special. The manual feels like a
real drivers/sports car
Ian
CHN433

ianbell · Post by **ianbell** » Sat May 06, 2006 8:16 am

Before I bought my MX5 a year ago I drove manuals as well as an auto. The
auto felt like any other auto car - nothing special. The manual feels like a
real drivers/sports car
Ian
CHN433

EricW · Post by **EricW** » Sun May 07, 2006 10:39 am

No Dave,

I stand by my original comment. If you are out on a track you are quite
correct, you would lose ultimate performance, but in terms of what you can
use, on the public roads, it is very similar, you simply have to push the
auto a little harder.

Eric

EricW · Post by **EricW** » Sun May 07, 2006 10:39 am

No Dave,

I stand by my original comment. If you are out on a track you are quite
correct, you would lose ultimate performance, but in terms of what you can
use, on the public roads, it is very similar, you simply have to push the
auto a little harder.

Eric

Okibi · Post by **Okibi** » Sun May 07, 2006 12:45 pm

Eric, no worries I'm not contesting your opinion, just stating my own.

Driving fast (all be it NOT flat out on public roads) is all about being as
smooth as possible to not upset the balance of the car.

You should have more control with a manual.

You also have more control over engine braking and that also stops you from
overheating your brakes (which are very important).

Correct; the difference isn't so noticeable on the road as the track but I'd
defiantly consider this "useable performance".

Other issues with an Auto would be maintenance and resale value; perhaps
that's why this car is a "bargain".

- Dave.

Okibi · Post by **Okibi** » Sun May 07, 2006 12:45 pm

Eric, no worries I'm not contesting your opinion, just stating my own.

Driving fast (all be it NOT flat out on public roads) is all about being as
smooth as possible to not upset the balance of the car.

You should have more control with a manual.

You also have more control over engine braking and that also stops you from
overheating your brakes (which are very important).

Correct; the difference isn't so noticeable on the road as the track but I'd
defiantly consider this "useable performance".

Other issues with an Auto would be maintenance and resale value; perhaps
that's why this car is a "bargain".

- Dave.

EricW · Post by **EricW** » Sun May 07, 2006 7:24 pm

Fair enough Dave,

I am not a rabid proponent of the auto, although all of my cars just happen
to be auto at the moment, just making the point that you should not write
the car off simply because it is auto, unless you intend to use it in a more
than averagely sporting manner. I use the gearbox in my car very much like a
manual (as taught by the MOT and Police many years ago) and you would be
surprised how much engine braking and control a good auto can give you.The
MX5 is damn good fun however you change gear.

As for resale, I am not aware that there is a major difference between the
market value of manuals and autos, there are a lot less autos out there, so
the, quite numerous buyers who want autos have a smaller range of choice,
which controls value. And, as I said, condition is now a big factor as MX5s
get older.

I don't believe that there are any significantly different maintenance
issues between an auto and manual, although the cars are probably used
slightly differently. Certainly, the auto on mine has given me no
maintenance issues, other than routine service.

I guess that at the end of the day, you pays your money and takes your
choice

Regards

Eric

EricW · Post by **EricW** » Sun May 07, 2006 7:24 pm

Fair enough Dave,

I am not a rabid proponent of the auto, although all of my cars just happen
to be auto at the moment, just making the point that you should not write
the car off simply because it is auto, unless you intend to use it in a more
than averagely sporting manner. I use the gearbox in my car very much like a
manual (as taught by the MOT and Police many years ago) and you would be
surprised how much engine braking and control a good auto can give you.The
MX5 is damn good fun however you change gear.

As for resale, I am not aware that there is a major difference between the
market value of manuals and autos, there are a lot less autos out there, so
the, quite numerous buyers who want autos have a smaller range of choice,
which controls value. And, as I said, condition is now a big factor as MX5s
get older.

I don't believe that there are any significantly different maintenance
issues between an auto and manual, although the cars are probably used
slightly differently. Certainly, the auto on mine has given me no
maintenance issues, other than routine service.

I guess that at the end of the day, you pays your money and takes your
choice

Regards

Eric

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