[MR2] auto mk1 vs 5 spd mpg

[Liam Greenwood]

I've had an 88 5-sp SC, my wife had an 87 NA auto, and I had an 89 SC 
auto.  We got similar mileage in all three in Real World driving, low 30s.

I think the SC auto is about the best AW11 for daily driving in an urban 
(in my case Northern NJ) setting.  It sits around 70mph with the revs 
just below the annoying buzz-zone that the manual seemed to hit at the 
same speed.  Very quick off the line - fun at lights when impatient 
people get in the lane beside you to zoom around that little car when 
the light turns green... and watch your tail as you just drive off.  No 
wheelspin, just ups and goes.  According to one of the MR2 books the SC 
auto was the fastest accelerating car on the market 0-30 when it came 
out, and it sure is easy to get off the line.  Dunno if that is true, 
but it feels like it could be.  Definitely didn't have the 
push-you-into-the-seat of the 911 turbo though.

I quite enjoy driving on a twisty road down-changing with the right foot 
in an auto with part-throttle kickdown, and left foot braking - but I 
know that a lot of people don't.

Either way, stick or slush, fun cars.

Cheers, Liam

On 1/25/10 10:01 PM, Bob Schultz wrote:
> Apologies to anyone on the list that likes their automatic...
>
> I bought an 87 auto because it had T tops.  I drove it for about 6 months
> and sold it. I just couldn't handle the slush box.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: mr2-bounces at mr2.com [mailto:mr2-bounces at mr2.com] On Behalf Of ron
> ewing
> Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 8:19 PM
> To: mr2-digest at mr2.com
> Subject: [MR2] auto mk1 vs 5 spd mpg
>
>      Hi guys.  I'm thinking of trading a good 93 miata I have for a very
> clean 87 auto mk1.  With the overdrive, do you see much in the way of
> improved hwy mpg?  At 70, the engine is only turning about 3000, vs 4000 on
> a 5 spd.  Not the most exciting drive I know, but for hwy cruising (and
> maybe for my
> manual-challenged GF) maybe it would be OK.  Good reliablity with the auto
> boxes?  BTW, if anyone is interested in the Miata and has a good mk1 5 spd
> with cruise not too far from Cols, OH, drop me a note.  TIA, Ron.
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