Was a 5-speed gearbox available on a mk2.5 1.8 Sport?
Discussion
I have put down a deposit on a mk2.5 Sport after I gave it a test drive and thorough inspection. However, it was only when I returned home and did a bit more research that I discovered that a mk2.5 Sport is meant to have a six speed transmission. The rest of the spec was like a sport: heated leather, 16 inch sport alloys etc, but this car is only a 5 speed. So, my question is, were any mk2.5 sports ever sold with a 5 speed transmission? I am very puzzled by this. Many thanks in advance.
Yes, the 'Sport' version was supposed to have the 6-speed box. There were variants that took some of the Sport goodies and became special editions, but AFAIK the 6-speed was Sport exclusive.
You should check the rest of the spec (off the top of my head):
6-speed
3.636 TorSen (later models had a SuperFuji diff)
Sport Brakes - ~11" discs all round
Underbracing - Large mid section, small cross bar behind and the rear subframe ladder attaches to monocoque
Front STB (shock tower brace)
16" Sport wheels: 16x6.5
AC was an option, as were the Bilsteins.
HTH
Phil
You should check the rest of the spec (off the top of my head):
6-speed
3.636 TorSen (later models had a SuperFuji diff)
Sport Brakes - ~11" discs all round
Underbracing - Large mid section, small cross bar behind and the rear subframe ladder attaches to monocoque
Front STB (shock tower brace)
16" Sport wheels: 16x6.5
AC was an option, as were the Bilsteins.
HTH
Phil
Many thanks for the replies. I am still very confused though. The car comes up as a sport on an HPI check and on insurance websites. The car has the sport alloys, the big brakes, the three spoke steering wheel, heated leather seats, must admit I have no idea if it has an lsd, which is partly why I want to know if it is a sport. There is no strut brace on the shock towers, and, again, I am unsure about underbody bracing. Having read the mx5oc website and mx5nutz, it seems that the only box available on a sport was the 6 speed, so I have no idea what this strange spec car that I'm buying actually is.
Definitely not a Euphonic, thanks for the suggestion though. It doesn't have the Euphonic wheels or the extra speakers behind the seats. Here's a link http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Tried ringing Mazda UK to find out more but the chap couldn't find any information using the number plate and said I needed to get the VIN so he could check. Rang the dealer to speak to the customer services gentleman but he hasn't rung back yet.
Tried ringing Mazda UK to find out more but the chap couldn't find any information using the number plate and said I needed to get the VIN so he could check. Rang the dealer to speak to the customer services gentleman but he hasn't rung back yet.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 26th September 19:23
Did you drive any 5-speed versions prior to driving that one? At least when I was test driving, the 6-speed box did feel different to the 5 speed box.
What suspension did it have? I thought Bilstein suspension was fitted to all Sports, tho I might be wrong. Bilstein suspension feels much firmer than standard.
As others have said, there were special editions with 5 speed boxes but otherwise similar spec to the Sport. They usually have a piece of trim next to the side indicators with the name of the special edition, there's no sign of that on the advert.
Is it possible that early in the car's life the gearbox failed and was replaced with a 5-speed box? Can they just be swapped over or are there too many other parts that would have to be changed to make that feasible?
What suspension did it have? I thought Bilstein suspension was fitted to all Sports, tho I might be wrong. Bilstein suspension feels much firmer than standard.
As others have said, there were special editions with 5 speed boxes but otherwise similar spec to the Sport. They usually have a piece of trim next to the side indicators with the name of the special edition, there's no sign of that on the advert.
Is it possible that early in the car's life the gearbox failed and was replaced with a 5-speed box? Can they just be swapped over or are there too many other parts that would have to be changed to make that feasible?
I think the Sport always came with the Billies but it was an option on other models - I think that's what Phil was trying to say.
Mine had the billies and while they might well have been firmer than standard suspension they felt pretty soft & wobbly to me. Softer and wobblier than the standard suspension on my previous '98 Mk1. It was one of the first things I changed as I just didn't like the amount of roll/pitch/dip.
Mine had the billies and while they might well have been firmer than standard suspension they felt pretty soft & wobbly to me. Softer and wobblier than the standard suspension on my previous '98 Mk1. It was one of the first things I changed as I just didn't like the amount of roll/pitch/dip.
No, Billies were an option....my S-VT had black Showas from the factory.
I was thinking the same as dg49; may be the 6-speed has been replaced for some reason. I looked at the advert and through the classifieds here and I think there are probably better cars for the money TBH (although this one does have a HT).
If it is a Sport and has had the 6-speeder removed, how will that sit with the insurance company and your likely re-sale prospects?
I was thinking the same as dg49; may be the 6-speed has been replaced for some reason. I looked at the advert and through the classifieds here and I think there are probably better cars for the money TBH (although this one does have a HT).
If it is a Sport and has had the 6-speeder removed, how will that sit with the insurance company and your likely re-sale prospects?
Thanks for all the help chaps.
Went in to see it again today and after a bit of a mission discovered that a previous owner had just changed the gearknob, so yes, it is in fact a sport. Didn't pay that price for it though, thought it was far too expensive and will probably sell the hardtop anyway, but there's not a speck of rust on the sills or arches. Excited to pick it up now.
Many thanks again for your time and input everyone!
Went in to see it again today and after a bit of a mission discovered that a previous owner had just changed the gearknob, so yes, it is in fact a sport. Didn't pay that price for it though, thought it was far too expensive and will probably sell the hardtop anyway, but there's not a speck of rust on the sills or arches. Excited to pick it up now.
Many thanks again for your time and input everyone!
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