Mk 1 auto Eunos

[mondayo]

I know a few people have asked similar questions, but has anyone actually driven an auto version of the Mk 1 MX5/Eunos?

I should say straight away, I have to drive an auto due to a disability, so please don't suggest I go for a manual instead. I'm assuming that as usually the auto saps power, I'm better off going for a 1.8 over a 1.6. It doesn't need to be a ball of fire, but I don't want it to be a slug either.

I'm looking at something like this http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2476502.htm which seems in decent nick and doesn't seem to be silly money. Is there any reason I should be spending a lot more on something like this http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1452228.htm

Is there anything specific I should be looking for?

It's going to be a second car, so doesn't need to be practical, but I don't want to spend an arm and a leg keeping it on the road.

[Munter]

Not driven an auto. But I don't think you need to spend dandy car prices to get a good car. On the adverts, I'd go for the cheaper higher mileage one. But dandy cars are known to be good if there is a problem with a car they sell.

[Gizmo!]

On the upside, autos are less likely to have been thrashed.

On the downside, they're harder to find and slower.

I drove one for a few days as a courtesy car from Dandy. The auto box wasn't a problem at all, you just drive slightly more relaxed. The PAS was weird though.

[trackerjack]

Wife has an auto, bit slow but moves alright on kickdown, she loves it.

[themx5restorer]

on the lus side they have a lower compression engine, so better for turbo at a later date

[bigtomski]

If you ever get down to Hertfordshire you can have a go of my Mk1 Eunos auto.
I would have bought a manual but my girlfriend only drives autos so that's what we went for.
I think it's great fun!
Probably slower than a manual but then you don't need to go fast in an Mx5 to enjoy it.
That's the beauty of them.
I find it a pleasure to drive, i would probably enjoy a manual more but it is what it is and i'm smitten.

[Mazdamender]

If you are going to get a Mk 1 auto, get a 1.8cc, the 1.6cc strugglies and the engine was detuned because of the auto box, but was not on the 1.8cc .

[HereBeMonsters]

Mazdamender said:

If you are going to get a Mk 1 auto, get a 1.8cc, the 1.6cc strugglies and the engine was detuned because of the auto box, but was not on the 1.8cc .

Both sound fking tiny. My radio controlled car has a bigger engine than that!

[trevkx125]

Hi,
My Mrs has a mk1 auto, seems to go ok. I didn't know they de-tuned them? Is there any evidence if this and how much power are they supposed to have?

Thanks!

[mondayo]

Right, I'm back on the case.

This car is the original one I posted about, and it seems he's dropped the price 200 quid!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2476502.htm

Does this seem like a reasonable price? I'd prefer it with nicer wheels and some leather, but is there anything I should looking for when I view it? Specific problem areas?

Also, are Eunos's more expensive to insure than non import MX5's? Anyone recommend good insurance company for these, it'll be a second car.

cheers

[MX-5 Lazza]

The auto engine isn't de-tuned, it's just tuned differently. It has different cams (I think) and lower compression to give it better low & mid torque at the expense of high end power so it suits an auto gearbox better (less gears mean you need broader torque and it's likely to spend more time at low/mid revs as autos always try to be in the highest gear).

[VeeFour]

mondayo said:

Does this seem like a reasonable price? I'd prefer it with nicer wheels and some leather, but is there anything I should looking for when I view it? Specific problem areas?

cheers

Whilst you may not particularly like the wheels - they are apparently the lightest wheel Mazda fitted to MkI cars, so probably worth having over other designs.

Leather is over-rated, too - on a hot day, you'll stick to the seats and in the middle of winter they'll be uncomfortably cold. They also wear quite badly on the bolsters as they age.

[Mazdamender]

MX-5 Lazza said:

The auto engine isn't de-tuned, it's just tuned differently. It has different cams (I think) and lower compression to give it better low & mid torque at the expense of high end power so it suits an auto gearbox better (less gears mean you need broader torque and it's likely to spend more time at low/mid revs as autos always try to be in the highest gear).

I am sure you are right Lazza
But this is only true for the 1.6cc engine so even with a gear box swap auto to manual you will still be underpowered to the standard 5 spd manual, unless you fit a turbo.
But the 1,8cc auto is the same engine as the 1.8cc manual,so a auto to manual swap will give a the same amount of power.

[Planet Claire]

I'd say the price was reasonable. It looks to be in good nick but check for rust on the sills and wheel arches and the condition of the hood.

Looks like a G-Limited edition, but I could be wrong.

Some insurance companies charge more for imports, others don't - check out this thread on MX5Nutz on favoured insurance companies, but always shop around, especially if it's an unmodified car and you can use the comparison websites. And whilst on Nutz, check out Edcase, he has a mk1 auto - supercharged!

[MX-5 Lazza]

Mazdamender said:

I am sure you are right Lazza
But this is only true for the 1.6cc engine so even with a gear box swap auto to manual you will still be underpowered to the standard 5 spd manual, unless you fit a turbo.
But the 1,8cc auto is the same engine as the 1.8cc manual,so a auto to manual swap will give a the same amount of power.

Less peak bhp doesn't have to mean less power. It's all about the area under the torque curve. It might have less peak bhp but it has more torque at lower revs so the total amount of power might not be that different. It's not like the low power UK 95+ 1.6.
The 1.8 didn't need a retuned engine as it already had more torque at mid/low revs.

[Gizmo!]

Leather is for pervs. Velour



Looks ok to me. All you can do is take it for a spin and see what you think...

[MX-5 Lazza]

Leather is best in a convertible. I've left my car with the top down during the day and been caught out with rain showers a few times. A quick wipe with a rag and the seats are dry. With cloth seats they would stay wet for a long time!

[mondayo]

So here is another one, same money and with leather and less miles, but not much info....although presumably if a dealer is selling it, I have a little bit more comeback?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2634797.htm

[Gizmo!]

mondayo said:

So here is another one, same money and with leather and less miles, but not much info....although presumably if a dealer is selling it, I have a little bit more comeback?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2634797.htm

Better to buy a good one, than a nail that needs the dealer's help with.

That one looks a little strange - non-standard alloys, and the front right headlamp cover's not flush with the bonnet, meaning some div's leant on it. It's got the comedy 4x4 ride height of the N/P/R reg UK cars too, despite being a Eunos... something funny about that.