Mazda MX5 MK1 1.6 Automatic - opinions/experiences, please?

mattbill

mattbill

mattbill

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Hey folks,

I'm considering getting a MK1 MX5 to use as a daily driver, as these can be had for relatively cheap these days and won't cost any where near as much to run as my current daily drive (Celica GT4). Also, without being on a track you can barely my Celica's power around here, so I feel something like the MX5 is a good call.

I'd be looking at a 1.6 Auto because I want to get my girlfriend (Auto only license) driving it too, as we'd be sharing the car. I know the Auto isn't the ideal option for these cars, but I just wondered whether you guys have had any experiences with them please? How are they to drive etc? Fuel usage etc?

Thanks in advance!

Matt.
 
Like you said, I thought it might be pants too, but from what I can find through forums etc, it seems the auto has fairly mixed reviews. Some love it, some don't. I'm not after all out pace, as I have that with the Celica, just something with usable fun and cheap to run.

Hopefully I can get a few more opinions here or even better, experiences with the box, then I'll decide for sure.

Cheers, Clarkey!
 
Lol nice description! This would be the only car as I'd probably end up selling the Celica. I'd like something fun and cheap to run. Preferably an auto so my girlfriend can use it also.
 
There are two 1.6L engines in the MK1....anything after 1994 will be the detuned 90bhp version so watch out for that.

I can't even imagine an MX-5 as an auto. It's hard to think of anything more pointless.
 
Isn't it an old 4 speed in the mx5? It really will be devoid of any sort of fun imo, waaaay too slow to be entertaining.

If you want that type of car (i.e 2 seater) with an auto I guess you could look at the mk3 mr2 with it's robotised manual. The box is pretty crap but it's not as much of a handicap on the car as the mx5 with an automatic box and a 1.6. You'd want a 2003+ car ideally though which will mean more cost.

Even the likes of a bangertastic e36 328i auto would be a much better daily so long as you don't mind getting your hands dirty, my other half absolutely hated driving my coupe though
 
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Yep, it's a 4 speed Auto in the Mk1... Do you guys have actual experiences with the car or just presuming based on specs?

I can understand that it sounds a bit lacking in the spec department (I initially thought that too), but have you driven one to give a proper account on how it drives? That's what I'm mainly interested in. Maybe 'opinion' in the title wasn't the right choice!

Thanks for the idea guys, but I doubt the 3 series BMW would be a good choice in the cheap to run department? The whole idea behind this is a cheap car (preferably less than 1k), but to have usable fun out of it. I'm fully aware that the 116bhp from the 1.6 isn't huge, but it's enough to have fun at legal limits. I believe you can manually select gears 1,2,3 in this autobox, so that should give it a bit above a standard auto.
 
An e36 isn't expensive to run (from experience).

Granted I've never driven the 1.6 Auto MX5, but I have driven a 1.6 manual, and a 1.8 manual, as well as having driven a nasty 4-speed automatic in a different car.

I certainly wouldn't want that box attached to either MX5, least of all the already gutless 1.6.

mattbill said:
I believe you can manually select gears 1,2,3 in this autobox, so that should give it a bit above a standard auto.
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Pretty certain that's just the gear lockout that was available in most autos of that type. I.e setting the box to "3" would mean it can use gears 1,2 and 3, but not 4.
 
I've driven the manual 1.6 in both 90 and 115ish bhp and can safely say the auto will be absolutely horrific unless you spend all day in the middle of town, in traffic.

My E36 wasn't expensive to run at all, it just needed lots of minor attention. So long as you're willing/able to do work yourself and accept that it's old and will need (cheap) work doing on a fairly regular basis you'll be fine.
 
Thanks for the opinion on the engine... surely the 116bhp in a mk1 should be quite good fun considering the thing is light/rwd?

Ah, I didn't realise it was a gear lockout (no experience with autoboxes). Cheers for that, paradigm!

Shame I can't find one local to have a test drive of!
 
mattbill said:
Thanks for the opinion on the engine... surely the 116bhp in a mk1 should be quite good fun considering the thing is light/rwd?
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It's ok, keeping it singing and using the handling is the fun of an mx-5 but an old slushbox will sap loads of what power there is and leave you in the wrong gear, all of the time when you're trying to press on.
 
You really need to try one to decide for yourself as most fans/owners of mx5s buy them for fun so their default position on the auto will be bad.

It might well be bad, but then if you aren't thinking of the car as a b road warrior you will have a different expectation.

Alternatives would be an MGF / MGTF (I'd choose a TF myself)
 
Brookert said:
Why is a celica too expensive to run as a daily? Has it got lolbhp with a dirty great blower or something?
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The majority of driving I do is in slow moving traffic and I very rarely get the opportunity to properly enjoy that car due to this. A full tank can cost between £80 - £90 and doing this every week and a half, to not enjoy the cars capabilities is a bit pointless. Sure, there are occasionally times where the roads clear up, but I feel that for the roads round here it can't be enjoyed properly. Something cheaper to run and more usable power is what I'd be looking for. Ideally a manual Mk1 MX5 would be ideal, but I'd like to get something that both me and the gf can drive.
 
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