MX-3.com

I know that this is backwards but, My daughter Lee and I have spent quite some time rebuilding her $100.00 95 MX-3 RS and now that she has her permit is scared to drive on the road because there is to much to remember. We did fine through the neighborhood and at the park - but add other traffic and she gets confused. Can the manual transmission be swapped for an automatic and if so what is required & what about cost? The car is solid after all the work we put into it and only has 78k original miles. It is very very young.

Thanks for all your advice.

Doug - Lee's Dad

Wow.

Sounds like she may need more time behind the wheel. It would REALLY be way too much work to convert it to an auto.


People are going to think I am crazy for saying that since I converted from an auto to a manual.

However, there are systems on the auto that arent needed on the manual- so swapping to a manual is rather easy. Going to an auto you have to add lots of electrial stuff and radiator and I am not kidding literally everything.

If she is uncomfortable with the manual tranny- it would be better to sell the car and buy her a new one. I know thats not the news you wanted to hear- but you invested $100 and you can sell it for lots more now.


I would suggest that she just drive more and get accustomed to the manual and to driving in the real world. It will be a challenge- but thats what growing up and being responsible is about.

Thanks Perry - That is what I thought. We have about $1500.00 invested. She bought it for $100.00 and between here, Ebay, our local salvage yard and auto parts stores we have it in excellent condition.

More practice behind the wheel is not an option. She flat out refuses as she is affraid of causing an accident. The other problem is all our cars are manual so - I guess it will be up for sale and then the hunt for new wheels will be in play


Doug

Yeah Doug I hate to hear that.

Maybe you can find someone on the board with an Auto who wants to trade for a manual.

If your car is in good shape-- you should be able to get somewhere close to $3000-$3500 for it due to the low miles.. maybe more.


Just a waring though- the Auto trannies in the MX are total crap and need to have an auxillary transmission oil cooler added.



Good luck!

if i was in the states i would be happy to do the swap with you but i am in germany . hell i would drive to your house & help you change everything over, just to get everything in needed

Hi there doug,
I've got a 95' Auto tranny, it's got 160,000km's on it, and it was dealer maintained. I've never used it once, then engine that I bought had an auto on it, and it is getting the manual off my old engine put on it, so if your intrested in the tranny, I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia. you can reach me at;
the_green_jacket@hotmail.com
more than happy to help, and it's of no use to me so I don't mind getting rid of it cheap!
thanks, hope to hear from you,
Craig

if you did convert it to an auto i would like to have all the mtx parts

How many times have you guys practiced driving with her?

Any update on this? Did she get better with the manual?