Mk1 Mx5 Automatic, Opinions please.
Discussion
Hi Guys,
My mum has today had her car declared a write off after a small accident where someone jumped a red light and hit her car. It was a 2002 Renault Clio 1.4 Expression(Auto) and she is due to get a payout from insurance very soon.
This leaves her around £1500 to buy her next car, which I assumed would just be another small auto hatchback that I would pick for her. However when I asked her what she fancied she came out with the proper PH answer of "I really want an Mx5 with the cool headlights"....pretty impressed with that considering it had no input from me at all!
Now she can only drive autos and has always driven small hatchbacks for 10 years so this would be her first RWD car, but that doesn't have a huge impact on her, I doubt she would notice.
I've seen some Mk1 autos in price range but I don't know a lot about the reliability of them, especially the gearboxes, the auto box in the Clio was dreadful.
Has anyone on here got any experience of driving/owning a Mk1 auto Mx5, probably a 1.6? If so what are they like as an automatic? And do they have any other issues that aren't common on the manuals?
Also a question for my benefit, are they just as fun as the manuals? Might be tempted to be a named driver on her insurance for this car :P
Thanks in advance!
My mum has today had her car declared a write off after a small accident where someone jumped a red light and hit her car. It was a 2002 Renault Clio 1.4 Expression(Auto) and she is due to get a payout from insurance very soon.
This leaves her around £1500 to buy her next car, which I assumed would just be another small auto hatchback that I would pick for her. However when I asked her what she fancied she came out with the proper PH answer of "I really want an Mx5 with the cool headlights"....pretty impressed with that considering it had no input from me at all!
Now she can only drive autos and has always driven small hatchbacks for 10 years so this would be her first RWD car, but that doesn't have a huge impact on her, I doubt she would notice.
I've seen some Mk1 autos in price range but I don't know a lot about the reliability of them, especially the gearboxes, the auto box in the Clio was dreadful.
Has anyone on here got any experience of driving/owning a Mk1 auto Mx5, probably a 1.6? If so what are they like as an automatic? And do they have any other issues that aren't common on the manuals?
Also a question for my benefit, are they just as fun as the manuals? Might be tempted to be a named driver on her insurance for this car :P
Thanks in advance!
My old man has had a mx5 mk1 1.6 auto import for about 10 years now.
the auto box isn't to bad seeing its a old box ours is a (1990). We have only broken down twice in this time, once was the alternator went this year ,
but appeared to be the original on it and the other was3 years ago which a hose to the airbox split. but other than that normal ware and tear.
On the fun front it is still good fun not as fun as a manual but you can stick throw it around the roads, and push the back end out to. with the overdrive it helps to keep the revs where you want them.
the auto box isn't to bad seeing its a old box ours is a (1990). We have only broken down twice in this time, once was the alternator went this year ,
but appeared to be the original on it and the other was3 years ago which a hose to the airbox split. but other than that normal ware and tear.
On the fun front it is still good fun not as fun as a manual but you can stick throw it around the roads, and push the back end out to. with the overdrive it helps to keep the revs where you want them.
I had one a couple of years ago, I loved it. The box is a bit 'old skool' but is supposed to be bombproof, I heard a rumour (probably wrong) that they use the same box in london cabs?
Mine was a 95 Eunos (I think all the autos were imports) 1.8 and it was totally rust free, dent free, and immaculate. I paid a grand for it and when it came time to sell, no bugger wanted it! They all want the manuals and I ended up selling it for a grand (again) to an old chap but I'd spent loads on upgrades and 'tarting it up'.
Totally reliable and I'd have another tomorrow if I could find one as nice locally.
If you see one you like, I hate to say it, but bid them in the balls, no bugger wants the autos!
Mine was a 95 Eunos (I think all the autos were imports) 1.8 and it was totally rust free, dent free, and immaculate. I paid a grand for it and when it came time to sell, no bugger wanted it! They all want the manuals and I ended up selling it for a grand (again) to an old chap but I'd spent loads on upgrades and 'tarting it up'.
Totally reliable and I'd have another tomorrow if I could find one as nice locally.
If you see one you like, I hate to say it, but bid them in the balls, no bugger wants the autos!
I ran one for a couple of years - '91 with 1.6 motor. It was a great little car. My commute at the time was country back roads and b roads 50 miles each way - the car was perfect, almost 100 percent reliable the only issue I had was thermostat getting stuck open - cost about a fiver to repair
the autobox is pretty reliable - its also used on black cabs of the period I understand. I tried hard to unstick the rear end,but it was pretty secure so shouldn't see your mum off into the scenery
never managed much over 30mpg though
the autobox is pretty reliable - its also used on black cabs of the period I understand. I tried hard to unstick the rear end,but it was pretty secure so shouldn't see your mum off into the scenery
never managed much over 30mpg though
Hi Everyone,
Just an update on the Mx5 front. Mk1 Mx5 auto has been purchased. Collecting it Saturday morning.
Next steps for me is to find a decent insurance quote for my mum as it is an import and a 1991 reg so I think a bit of shopping about will find something cheaper than her current mainstream insurer.
Any advice on specialist or classic car policies? Particularly if anyone knows any that would allow the car to be her First car(44 years old, lots of NCB, parked off the road but not garaged), and with myself as a 22 year old named driver with my own car.
Adrian Flux is my first call to make but any other specialist tips would be helpful!
Thanks
Just an update on the Mx5 front. Mk1 Mx5 auto has been purchased. Collecting it Saturday morning.
Next steps for me is to find a decent insurance quote for my mum as it is an import and a 1991 reg so I think a bit of shopping about will find something cheaper than her current mainstream insurer.
Any advice on specialist or classic car policies? Particularly if anyone knows any that would allow the car to be her First car(44 years old, lots of NCB, parked off the road but not garaged), and with myself as a 22 year old named driver with my own car.
Adrian Flux is my first call to make but any other specialist tips would be helpful!
Thanks
scrwright said:
Had 2, get a 1.8 one not a 1.6. Buy on condition, auto boxes rarely break, as said just get a rust free one. They are a bugger to sell on, DO NOT pay a premium for an auto, its a haggling point.
I've one bought now, we have a 1.6 auto (the 114bhp model), paid just over £1000 and it is very, very low mileage with invoices and MOTs to prove age. It won't ever be sold as I have already claimed it as a project when my Mum is done with it
Thanks for the advice though!
scrwright said:
Had 2, get a 1.8 one not a 1.6. Down side with them is no lsd in the autos
Genuine question why?Ive had both 1.8 imports and 1.6 imports and far prefer the 1.6 over the 1.8 its more revvy and just as quick as the 1.8 cross country. Ive currently got a 1.8 vr ltd and even with the standard lighten flywheel on them it still feels more sluggish lower down.
Try Greenlight Insurance, email Neil.
http://www.greenlightinsurance.co.uk/
You'll see them on MX5Nutz.
http://www.greenlightinsurance.co.uk/
You'll see them on MX5Nutz.
Had a UK manual mk1 MX5 which I changed for a Eunos auto due to a rather nasty London commute.
Did the job admirably, was totally reliable. Box is relatively old school, but smooth enough- and yes it is a super-robust old thing used in taxi cabs!
Worth pointing out that it was noticeably thirstier than its manual counterpart, but you've bought one now...
Still able to entertain, I was actually pleasantly surprised. Had something of the go-kart about it.
Autos are probably the cheapest route to mk1 ownership now, but it'll take an age to shift come resale time.
Unless it HAS to be an auto (as it did for the then sick-of-clutching me), there's really no reason to recommend over a manual.
Again, you've already bought, but most (all?) autos are Eunos/ Jap imports and therefore tend to be less rusty- the bane of mk1 MX5 ownership.
Did the job admirably, was totally reliable. Box is relatively old school, but smooth enough- and yes it is a super-robust old thing used in taxi cabs!
Worth pointing out that it was noticeably thirstier than its manual counterpart, but you've bought one now...
Still able to entertain, I was actually pleasantly surprised. Had something of the go-kart about it.
Autos are probably the cheapest route to mk1 ownership now, but it'll take an age to shift come resale time.
Unless it HAS to be an auto (as it did for the then sick-of-clutching me), there's really no reason to recommend over a manual.
Again, you've already bought, but most (all?) autos are Eunos/ Jap imports and therefore tend to be less rusty- the bane of mk1 MX5 ownership.
I just picked up a Mk1 this weekend. Sky insurance I've heard of great things about but they were a daft price for me so Adrian Flux got my business again.
Based on my experience I'd say check the rubber and be prepared to invest in 4 new tyres as it transformed the feel of the car and confidence in it from the old rubber that was on it (mismatched tyres and 1 new, 3 old didn't make for good feeling and grip levels were poor as the tyres were so old they were cracking!
Have fun!
Based on my experience I'd say check the rubber and be prepared to invest in 4 new tyres as it transformed the feel of the car and confidence in it from the old rubber that was on it (mismatched tyres and 1 new, 3 old didn't make for good feeling and grip levels were poor as the tyres were so old they were cracking!
Have fun!
I've had my 1990 Eunos Automatic for 7 years. I would have bought a manual but this one came up and I love it. I had only ever drive automatics when a hire car happened to be one. I just left them in drive. I know it's an old style of box but over the seven years I have learned to love it. I found that I can use the selector to change gear in a bend under power without the gap in drive that you get when say changing from 3rd to 2nd gear with a manual box. I just have to keep an eye on engine revs. Same with the overdrive switch.
The only problem I had/have is that the selector lever had become very sloppy. So much so that a "p micro-switch" got broken by the pin in the lever leaving me locked in Park. Today I picked up two top-hat bushes and a micro-switch and will be replacing them in the next day or so. Also the selector display has become difficult to read because the bulb underneath it is too hot for it and it ceases to be clear.
The only problem I had/have is that the selector lever had become very sloppy. So much so that a "p micro-switch" got broken by the pin in the lever leaving me locked in Park. Today I picked up two top-hat bushes and a micro-switch and will be replacing them in the next day or so. Also the selector display has become difficult to read because the bulb underneath it is too hot for it and it ceases to be clear.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff