Hey gang, I posted earlier about my moms '89 RX-7. Dealer told her it was toast and she needs replacement. I drove it last weekend and it seems fine except it won't go into overdrive (it is a 4 speed auto). Once you get to around 50 MPH...it will no longer kick down into passing gear either (from third to second). The tranny doesn't slip from a dead stop punch or go off scale on the RPM's..but does seem to idle a bit rough when coming to a full stop. Could this possibly be an electronic issue or possibly even a vacuum line problem? Any advice appreciated.

 

The auto's in these cars are CRAP, JUNK, ****, GARBAGE, etc. EVERY one I have been around has dies within 6 months. Used replacements will be no better...youre still in the same boat. Your only real option is rebuild or convert to 5sp. I have an automatic in my garage needing a tranny, and since I dont do AT rebuilds, it's going to either get converted to 5sp or contracted out to be rebuilt, those are the only options I gave him.

 

Oh, I forgot, I also have another one out here too that the auto went out of, and he has decided to go 5sp already, so Im just waiting on his parts to arrive.

 

So then you are telling me it is mechanically toast then I assume. Well, since it's my mom's car...and she is NOT going to have a conversion done, I guess that's that. Apparently the Mazda dealer in Boca Raton told her he could get her a NEW tranny.....but 2 weeks has turned into 2 months and frankly, it it's anything like the tranny's in the TT Stealth/VR-4, she'll NEVER get one. Oh well, guess I'll convince her to sell it while it still drives well...and it does.

BTW, any of you guys who live in South FL and would be interested in checking it out...let me know. The car is in VERY good condition. It is 1989, black with black convertible/targa top. 33k NICELY DRIVEN miles (my mom doesn't street race), good black leather interior, AM/FM cassette CD stereo with headrest surround, factory security system. Car WAS smoked in and smells like it..but clean. Paint/body in great condition (kept garaged/ported) and wheels and tires excellent. Great possible project car for conversion if anyone were so inclined. What are some of your opinions as to what it would be worth?

 

Those 89-91 trannies are VERY complicated, both mechanically and electronically..in fact they have their own computer, EC-AT which interacts with the engine's computer as well. ITs unlikely that the elctronic end has went out, so it probably is internal, yes. IF it were me, I would contract it out to a local or semi-local professional auto tranny rebuild shop...ask around and find some shop[ everyone trusts. IT shoud cost anywhere from $700-1200, around here closer to $800. I wouldnt sell the car solely for that purpose, and I wouldnt pay for a new one, probably in excess of $2000.

If you do sell it, let me know..Ill trade you my t2 for it :-)

 

I got an auto tranny I need to get rid of(if the guy who's garage it's in hasn't tossed it).I don't know how good it is 'cause the car it came out of didn't run when I got it and is now just a parts car.It is from an '89 GXL.

 

Yeah, I ve got 2 of those too...came from cars I never got to drive, so I dont know how good they are. Judging from every used and running one Ive been around, it probably isnt better than the failing one that needs replacing anyway. Especially if you've ever swapped one of those bad bitches out...it is just not worth all that trouble for something you dont know is any good or not. I would rather do 4 clutches than one automatic tranny swap.

 

mazda are the biggest drunks when it comes to building *any* auto tranny

 

I dunno man, Ive driven 626's, 929's, my wife's millenia, some mx6's, etc. adn none of them were so shitty as the rx7's AT. These things are so shitty man, the older s4 ones dont even shift right when they're in good condition...its like theyre setup to slip and wear out quick from teh factory. They dont kick up and down like they really should, and its just really bad, in my opinion. I dont know why they even bothered. the auto rx7s are so damn slow a ford festiva automatic would beat one badly.

 

I still dont get why you US dudes are so hang up on auto trannies...

Over here cars with auto trannies cost as much as manuals, and they are something like 2% of the cars out there...

 

I hate an automatic in something like a small car, and I hate a manmual in something like a truck or a bigger car. But for the most part women and young people are into auto's, and that's that. Probably 80% of all cars sold here are AT, sadly.

 

80%

You people are either very bored or terrible at handling the stick

 

Bored, yes...adn the women in general are afraid of the stick, yes...



ITs very rare and a big turn-on to find a girl who knows how to handle a stick

 

I think the car had around 120k on the odometer.I don't think I would feel comfortable selling it since I don't know if it works so if I ever find some one that wants it they can have it.