I've been looking at an 1999 spec RX7 import that claims to be a Tiptronic. Its still in Japan right now.

Is this the dealer trying to fob me with a standard automatic?

Are the autos any good?

 

Don't get auto!!!

 

as far as i know, there is no triptronic FD unless is some one-off completely custom job...

there is nothing wrong with an auto, but they are a good .8 - 1.0 second slower in the 1/4 mile... still an amazing car, but just not as fun as a manual

 

a whole second in the quarter mile? Stock for stock? that would be news to me....

 

I would EXPECT the auto FD to be faster in a 1/4 mile.. If its not.. Then something is fucked up!

 

i'm just going by what i have read around the forums and mags about the 5speed vs auto... i would expect Want2race with his 3447 posts to know a little bit more about this than me! haha... but you gotta remember, this isnt a supra... the supra autos aren't faster than the 6 speeds until they start getting modded... stock for stock the supra transmissions are about the same, people just preffer the auto for dragging and highway pulls...

 

The auto FDs use a crappy transmission. Its the same one in the MPV mini van.

 

PLEASE DON'T BUY AN AUTO!!!! think about a drag launch. Even from a stoplight.... there is no way to get yourself out of the boost-less range. 0-10 is about the same as a doge shadow. The only way you'd be able to get the rpms into boost range on the line is to do a "brake stand" which is murder on the tranny. Unless you plan to never race anyone from a start, the auto is a BAD idea.

 

FD autos are a quasi-tiptronic if you will. There is a 'Hold' button that allows you to manually shift the gears. 'Activate/depress' the 'Hold' button and the transmission will stay in which ever gear you choose, whether you bounce it off of redline or lug it.

The only time the tranny computer intervenes is when you go below 10/15mph in 3rd gear. It will automatically drop to 2nd so you do not stall it, and return to 3rd when you gain speed again.

An auto FD is perfectly fine for a nice, fast cruiser - and a perfectly capable track weapon too. There are a few here (if they're still around the Forum) that track (meaning road track) their autos.

What an auto FD can't do is handle extensive performance mods (w/o spending quite a bit more money anyways - rotaryextreme has a T51 single turbo monster, try searching under his name and some search terms like 'auto'/etc).

I converted my auto to a manual, but I can't say a little bit of me did not wish for the advantages of an auto, every so often. Manuals are fun, no doubt - but an auto has it's place too.

If you want to listen to pubescent forum kiddies, I guess this would be the place. For honest advice from FD auto owners, try visiting here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ATFD/

 

One thing though - if any little part of you really wants a manual, hold out for one. The cost of a tranny conversion can vary, but it's a pain none-the-less, especially given there are probably not an abundance of 3rd gen parts cars in your neck of the woods. Best of luck.

Daniel

 

i got auto . it sucks. i love to convert to manual. but its kinda impossible in this area unless do it by myself. AUTO SUCKS. anyone has good idea for swapping tranny? in this area, PANHANDLE?

 

My car was originally an auto. Was so slow I had a 5 speed conversion done.

Nick

 

If its from Japan it could have this sequential conversion kit on it, which you can buy off the shelf over there. A guy in my club runs an import business and he fitted one of these to test it before importing them to sell. It uses the standard 5 speed box, but the kit goes on the shifter and somehow converts the h-pattern of the 5 speed into a backwards/forwards motion. Up for change down, down for change up. I think you have to press a button and press up to select reverse. Still, it looks pretty good and he says it works really well- too well apparently- he said its too quick for the syncros really, but its still quicker than standard.

See attached pic:

 

That's the worst case of compensation I have ever seen.