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The Future Of The Manual Transmission

9929 messages,  Last post on May 21, 2013 at 8:04 PM

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What is this discussion about? Transmission

Messages Page 924 of 994

#9222 of 9929 Re: As to the question............. [wwest] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Aug 01, 2012 (8:27 am)

Replying to: wwest (Jul 31, 2012 10:49 pm)
Well I don't know about an Alpine, which is a rather slow and awkward bit of work, but a Bug-Eye is a tremendously visceral car--you can feel it, smell it, hear it (none of which you get in any significant amount in a Miata unless you really re-work the car). And you had better want to get your hands dirty---often.
 
On the other hand, I would hardly hold up a Bug-Eye Sprite as an example of a "good" manual gearbox---they don't have first-synchro, they are noisy, and they break.
 
True enough about my own self-image in a Miata being my own problem, but as we used to say in the Army: "There it is".
 
The Miata gearbox is nearly faultless however--I wish I could install one in my MINI.

#9223 of 9929 Re: As to the question............. [Mr_Shiftright] by ruking1

Aug 01, 2012 (8:49 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Aug 01, 2012 8:27 am)
A relative who bought a Mini (Clubman) NEW, a few years ago, sold it, due to his take that it was falling apart literally as he drove it.

#9224 of 9929 Re: As to the question............. [ruking1] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Aug 01, 2012 (9:10 am)

Replying to: ruking1 (Aug 01, 2012 8:49 am)
MINIS are apparently built by blind men somewhere but they ARE fun to drive. But he's right--parts do literally fall off my car regularly, or break off in my hands, to say nothing of squeaks and rattles galore.
 
Basically reliable car, though, I have to give it that.

#9225 of 9929 Re: As to the question............. [ruking1] by ateixeira

Aug 01, 2012 (9:10 am)

Replying to: ruking1 (Aug 01, 2012 8:49 am)
I'm on my 2nd Miata...great secondary car, I could never live with one as my primary car. No way.
 
They are plenty fun, though. I guess they're common and neanderthal friends will call 'em girly, but who cares?
 
Ride is a bit stiff, but I have the suspension package with the big rims. If I could choose again I'd stick with the base rim size, but I wanted the Torsen LSD and you had to upgrade.
 
Gas tank is a bit small, too, so the low fuel light goes on at 260 miles the way I drive it.
 
My '93 was lighter, more pure. Slower, but I miss it. Ride was actually better.
 
I'd like to see Mazda make the ND lighter and more open, lower cowl and window sills. Then just add a SkyActiv engine and you've solved the range issue.
 
That'd be perfect. I'd buy my 3rd.

#9226 of 9929 Re: As to the question............. [Mr_Shiftright] by garv214

Aug 01, 2012 (1:33 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Aug 01, 2012 8:27 am)
The Miata gearbox is nearly faultless however--I wish I could install one in my MINI.
 
In my 94 miata, I find the gearbox a bit stiff until it warms up a bit, but my car does occupy the garage for long periods of time between drives, so that may play into it.
 
I totally agree that miatas should be ordered with a manual, because it makes it an absolute blast to drive. I think the car would lose most of its magic with an automatic...
 
Maybe my miata is different, but I find it to be a visceral car. The interior is a bit of a blend of leather and "car" smells. Manual steering and a 5 speed to keep things interactive. Granted it might not have the exhaust note of an Alfa or a Ferrari, but I have heard much worse too...
 
When I bought it used in 2003, I figured I would keep it a couple of years and then sell it, but here I am 9 years later and at this point I wouldn't consider selling it (I have had 2 legit offers on it over the years too...). My wife and I take our annual trip to Big Sur in it, my kids love to ride in it (mostly because they get to ride in the front seat...a pretty big damn deal when you are 6...), and it costs next to nothing to keep it...
 
I have been razzed by some that it is a "chicks" car... whatever... it is a blast to drive and I have enjoyed it more than just about any car that I have ever owned, and that's the way I measure its worth.
 
If there were a statistic of driving enjoyment per dollar spent, the miata would likely top that list...

#9227 of 9929 Re: As to the question............. [garv214] by ateixeira

Aug 01, 2012 (1:40 pm)

Replying to: garv214 (Aug 01, 2012 1:33 pm)
Have you opened up the shifter turret from the top? In most older ones the rubber turret tears and the gear oil can leak out. It uses 75w90 gear oil. Careful as gear oil cologne is particularly rancid smelling.
 
Replace the oil and get a new turret and should be buttery smooth again.
 
Pics 18 to 29:
 
http://www.miata.net/garage/trans/18.htm
 
And DO NOT let your wife know you borrowed the turkey baster to remove the old fluid. No no no.

#9228 of 9929 Re: As to the question............. [ateixeira] by garv214

Aug 02, 2012 (12:42 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 01, 2012 1:40 pm)
Hey Thanks for that! I may take a little look there to see if that is my problem. I do have 120K on the car now, so it is entirely possible that this will correct that issue.
 
For the record, I am the Turkey Baster owner and operator in our house
 
It will give me an excuse to get a new one prior to Thanksgiving...

#9229 of 9929 Re: As to the question............. [ateixeira] by morin2

Aug 03, 2012 (8:55 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 01, 2012 1:40 pm)
Are turkey basters used outside of the garage?
 
off-topic, but I grew up in an area where clammers used bathroom plungers to harvest soft clams (intertidally in salt ponds). I was a teenager before I realized the plunger had other uses away from the clam beds.

#9230 of 9929 Re: As to the question............. [morin2] by ateixeira

Aug 03, 2012 (8:56 am)

Replying to: morin2 (Aug 03, 2012 8:55 am)
With salt, right? Saw a YouTube how-to just yesterday.

#9231 of 9929 Re: As to the question............. [morin2] by steve_ HOST

Aug 03, 2012 (10:24 am)

Replying to: morin2 (Aug 03, 2012 8:55 am)
the plunger had other uses away
 
New one on me - I thought they were just intended to pop out parking lot dents.

Messages Page 924 of 994

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