Barclayboy,
Manual or Auto? There’s a question. Auto’s are marmite. I happen to love mine to bits. I also love driving the Sport …for different reasons and when my spine says it’;s OK.
We have owned 2x5’s for nigh on 15 years, a 2002 Sport and a '93 Mk1 Auto.
I need an auto for intermittent spine issues following being written off many years back by a drunk driver.
It’s done 80,000 odd miles in my hands as a daily commuter in thick traffic, fun days, and a few years back it did 2,026 from the north of Scotland to Portsmouth in 6 days flat, and I stepped out of it fresh as a daisy back home. It was brilliant and absorbed all the punishment I was obliged to cane it with given the time-trial element of what I was up to.
It had been pre-event serviced/ prepared mind you, but still …it only needed a light bulb.
Comparision is very subjective between the two. The Sport is “the better car” on several levels. NVH, speed, and chassis trump the Mk1 although the Mk1 still sits on it’s original stuff which is due to be renewed during it’s Spring rebuild/rot fix. It’s a rarer example, it’s served me well over the years, and it’s staying with me for retirement fun days.
Driving the auto has both limitations and benefits for me anyway.
It won’t win any “first 2 seconds” of a traffic light drag, but once wound up goes like a ruddy stabbed rat mid-range if needs be.
It wont, being a Roadster, change out of 2 gear until the water temp takes it off ECU enrichment, making it a lousy cold weather short trip car.
Something to do with Japanese emissions I think.
3k rpm at 70mph. Very relaxed.
Kickdown gives more than ample safety performance to get out the way of trucks etc.
I’d rather not mention the change-up velocities with your right foot buried…suffice to say they may surprise.![]()
It’s a real boon around town though, a great point & squirt machine, and a great long distance cruiser if the 'box is left to it’s devices. If you need to go hooning in quiet back roads, pop it into S and you have a two-gear go-cart. But , we are all grown-ups and don’t do things like that…![]()
I cannot speak for later models, but it’s a piece of cake once you learn the foibles to use the box in conjunction with brakes to add engine braking when setting up for the next bend by depressing the Hold button. The so-called lack of engine braking is present if you can’t be bothered.
Bad weather eg ice & snow? Provided tyres are fine, no worries. It’s a piece of cake to let the torque feed in gently from tick-over to get you going despite the open diff.
Often times “we” got to the office when others in “superior” vehicles called in for a duvet day. Wimps. That used to cause some hilarity and embarrassments, but then I’ve spent a life-time driving commercially in the worst conditions needing snow-ploughs since the 70’s so it’s pretty much second nature.
It’s vital the ensure your braking system is bang on, as it does need more of a shove then a manual, but I’ve never been able to fade them even on a couple of track days.
It will also be absolutely vital to ensure all the fluids are renewed for your proposed trips eg coolant, auto ATF, and brake fluid.
If yours does not come with a mesh radiator guard, fit one. There are tons to pick from.
Not for everyone, but those like me are grateful they exist. I would say, contrary to common perceptions from those who have either never been in one, never mind driven one, you have a lot more control than imagined…once you learn how to show it who is boss and don’t mind visiting the Esso shop a bit more than you’d prefer.
In my long ownership & experiences, living with an auto is easy and rewarding. Look after it and it will look after you giving you years of fun through all weathers thick and thin.
