[Mk3] [Generic] Auto Gearbox: Good or Bad?

[andylaurence]

I need a new car, and I'm thinking about getting back into MR2s with a Mk3. Cheap, economical, great handling, and superb reliability. That's what the reviews say, anyway! The issue is that there's not many autos around, and I've not driven a Mk3 at all. Has anyone got or driven a Mk3 auto? What are they like to drive? Are the flappy paddles funky or annoying? Any advice appreciated!

Cheers,
Andy

[JeffD]

Never driven one but IIRC the 0-60 time is about 1 sec slower for the paddle shift :-(

[andylaurence]

Never driven one but IIRC the 0-60 time is about 1 sec slower for the paddle shift

Aside from a VAG DSG 'box, it's always the way. As I can't have a manual car, it's substantially quicker than the other option ... walking!

Cheers,
Andy

[Lauren]

They are okay, though the shift time is frustratingly long.

They blip lovely on downchanges, but when you've got your foot down, you'll find the gearchange time to be a bit leisurely. Its not the end of the world but it certainly detracts from the drive.

It isn't actually an auto btw its a servo (I think) driven conventional H pattern gearchange. All the gear changes and the clutch is handled by the electronics.

[andylaurence]

They are okay, though the shift time is frustratingly long.

They blip lovely on downchanges, but when you've got your foot down, you'll find the gearchange time to be a bit leisurely. Its not the end of the world but it certainly detracts from the drive.

It isn't actually an auto btw its a servo (I think) driven conventional H pattern gearchange. All the gear changes and the clutch is handled by the electronics.

I've seen hacks for reducing the shift time. There's a throttle bypass mod, and then it's down to lightening the flywheel. I've found one nearby, so I think I'll take a test drive this weekend.

Cheers,
Andy

[Harry]

Well I always think in terms of automatics as the cars from the seventies with lousy gearboxes and so slow changing up and down so was never really convinced by friends and families cars of the earlier period,lets say this!

However lol today our every day car is an Altezza RS Automatic and would seriously not consider any other car type for UK driving and dealing with the odd misfortune of having to get through London rush hour is a pleasure .I drop the ratio down and putt along its a pleasure far more relaxing.(Hang on why is it called rush hour no one is going any where well ER fast that is?)

Do have a paddle shift to drive as per manual but have never tried or even bothered with it! However the traction control power switch does get used,oh yes!

Some might say an auto box is slightly less slick than a manual box well try accelerate with a beams black top dual vvti motor.lol.

Pretty sure most Toyota engine and boxes are going to please you to no end and the missus will now only drive autos.The box is fast smooth and slick and the revs and torque are so well matched it seems to drive itself effortless like it has a mind of its own a pleasure!

[JeffD]

Ive got an SW20 Auto and have mixed feelings about it - on twisty roads with lots of speeding up and slowing down I dont like it, however, around town or on the motorway it makes motoring a lot more relaxing, also in a straight line its pretty handy to just plant your foot on the floor and leave it there - letting the auto do all the work! :-)

[Lauren]

I've seen hacks for reducing the shift time. There's a throttle bypass mod, and then it's down to lightening the flywheel. I've found one nearby, so I think I'll take a test drive this weekend.

Cheers,
Andy

The one i drove did have the shift time speeded up but it was still dog slow though. I guess there is a limit to how much you can speed it up. Anyways its still better than an auto.

[Lauren]

Well I always think in terms of automatics as the cars from the seventies with lousy gearboxes and so slow changing up and down so was never really convinced by friends and families cars of the earlier period,lets say this!

However lol today our every day car is an Altezza RS Automatic and would seriously not consider any other car type for UK driving and dealing with the odd misfortune of having to get through London rush hour is a pleasure .I drop the ratio down and putt along its a pleasure far more relaxing.(Hang on why is it called rush hour no one is going any where well ER fast that is?)

Do have a paddle shift to drive as per manual but have never tried or even bothered with it! However the traction control power switch does get used,oh yes!

Some might say an auto box is slightly less slick than a manual box well try accelerate with a beams black top dual vvti motor.lol.

Pretty sure most Toyota engine and boxes are going to please you to no end and the missus will now only drive autos.The box is fast smooth and slick and the revs and torque are so well matched it seems to drive itself effortless like it has a mind of its own a pleasure!

The MK3 SMT is not an auto box though. Its a manual box with some electronics that shift through the gears for you. This is why its slow on upchanges.

[Harry]

Argh right O Lauren,

[andylaurence]

I've seen hacks for reducing the shift time. There's a throttle bypass mod, and then it's down to lightening the flywheel. I've found one nearby, so I think I'll take a test drive this weekend.

Cheers,
Andy

The one i drove did have the shift time speeded up but it was still dog slow though. I guess there is a limit to how much you can speed it up. Anyways its still better than an auto.

Ahhh, OK. Thanks for clearing that up. In the end, I canned the MR2 idea as my wife didn't like the idea of me driving such a girly car. I've bought myself a much more manly BMW 330d.

Cheers,
Andy

[Lauren]

Ahhh, OK. Thanks for clearing that up. In the end, I canned the MR2 idea as my wife didn't like the idea of me driving such a girly car. I've bought myself a much more manly BMW 330d.

Cheers,
Andy

Good choice.