I just had a test drive of the new MX-5 6 speed AT. For a 160 hp car, it was FUN!Compared to the older model, the 6 speed gearbox really create wonders for the MX-5. RX-8 AT owners looking for more excitement, save your money on add-ons and wait for the new 6speed AT version. I can't wait to trade in mine!

 

im hoping after the current incentives end on may 31st (only up to $1500) they come out with better ones for the summer. if not i dunno..

 

Personally I wonder about reliablity, given that the transmission is a entirely new design (maybe taken from the Miata? Still pretty new though either way). The current 4 speed AT tranny is taken from the FD RX-7 I believe, and is probably a little more tried and true. Still, a rotary just isn't very fun with only 4 gears...it takes forever to get the engine up into its powerband. It's the only thing that has kept me from doing any major mods to mine...I just don't feel that it's a viable long term car with the gear shortage. Give me a 6 speed AT RX-8 on the other hand and I would sooooo mod that thing, and keep it for as long as I can.

 

I'll probably boost my 4-port down the line or trade into the manual.

 

I've got one, love it. It's 3 weeks old tommorow.

 

I dont know man. I think I'll hold on to my 20K and get a 2nd 8. But this time go MT. Thankx

 

What Mazda could make is a DSG 6 speed, that would be perfect for those commuting in traffic daily

 

i wouldn't mind a DSG, but stick is just so fun. i'm in traffic a lot too, but heck, im still young. lol

 

^ Hell my Dad drove a truck that had 16 gears. He stoped at 61 :p

 

O RLY?

 

Would an 06 AT bolt up to a 04. I sure the bolt pattern is the same and I would think it would need the 06 ecu but do you think it is possible. sorry for the run on sentence.

 

Who knows what modifications they did to get the new tranny bolted up?

I would think the cost of this mod will be equivalent or more than actually trading up to the '06.

 

I test-drove the 6 speed RX-8 and I really wasn't that impressed. The gearing made the car feel a lot smoother, so there was no "pull" in first and second that i feel now.

The main disadvantage of the 6sp Auto: When I was cruizing in 6th gear at about 60-65mph and wanted to pass or accelerate as fast as I could, I had to shift into 3rd in order to feel full power. 1st through 5th gear map up to 1-4 in the 4speed, and 6th is added on to what would be the 5th speed on our 4 speeds. So I had to shift from 6th to 5th (equal to 4th in a 4 speed), which, as we all know, has no power. Then I shiftted from 5th to 4th. That was better, but It would still let me shift into 3rd, and I hit 3rd at about 80mph.

The problem? The thing shifts slow, as we all are aware. What would be faster, shifting from 4th to 3rd, or from 6th to 3rd? That was, and is, my main gripe with the 6 speed. I told the dealer this too. It would cost me about $6-7k to go from a 2004 4sp to 2006 6sp. Worth it? How much is a turbo/SC kit? Less than 7k, I bet!

Off the line, it was quicker to 6k rpm, no doubt. And it stayed in the power band between shifts, but our torque curve is so flat, it's not that noticable once you leave 2nd.

I dunno. I'm still on the fence, but if I get a new car, it's gonna be manual.

Oh, and for those not in the know: I have the AT because I'm 6'8" and it's uncomfortable to have my foot on the clutch while my kneecap is above the steering wheel. I removed the dead pedal on my AT which is held down by two screws. That instantly gave me 5-6" of more leg room! There's a lot of space behind that dead pedal! If you have an AT, remove that hunk of black plastic and feel the freedom of extending your legs all the way. It has really helped me. There's more room in this car now than in my old 4 door Audi. Test driving the 6sp was again uncomfortable because of the plastic dead pedal and my long legs.

 

I noticed the slow shifting as well when I test drove the Mx-5. I wondered how that would affect the 8 in passing situations. With the 4spd, as long as I'm below 72mph, I can quickly bump from 4 to 2 without engaging 3rd, blip the throttle during the shift and it's smooth as butter (If I'm above 72mph, 3rd has plenty of acceleration for passing). Couldn't do that with the Mx-5, but I thought that the difference in the engines could be causing it.

A supercharger on the 4spd will be fine for me. 2nd gear ought to be quite entertaining with a significant boost in torque .

 

YA RLY!

 

So the 6speed AT is not that cool after all, huh? So much for the wait...

 

yea, the 6 speed AT isn't great all. it's too smooth and it feels weak. in the 4 speed AT in 2nd gear u feel that pull and it feels really great but they took that fun out of the 6 speed. my opinion is that the 4 speed is better than the 6 speed. 4 sp > 6sp.

 

thats the best statement that i have heard so far..... feel like crying......


hehehehehehehe...... 6AT....... 4at comin to get ya.

i wonder what you guys think about final drive + TC.