[iamz]

Is the automatic the same one used in the current Miata?

Is it reliable?

Are the gear ratios published anywhere and how do they compare to the manual's ratios?

Thanks

 

[stevenvillatoro]

Is the automatic the same one used in the current Miata?

Is it reliable?

Not only is it the same one as used in the current Miata, it's also the one used in the prior-generation Miata.

It's very reliable; owners who opted for automatic have liked it a lot.

I believe a couple of gears have revised ratios for the 124, but somebody else will need to fill in that information. It's possible that other Italian tweaks were made, as well. For example, I think there is a revised rev-matching function to minimize turbo lag.

 

[racergary]

I found complete specs for the 124 listed on

Fiat500usa.com

Once there you'll see a link for the 124

 

[iamz]

Great! Thanks gentlemen.

Being that it is so hard to find manual equipped 124s, I may just opt for the auto.

 

[LongBeachJim]

Great! Thanks gentlemen.

Being that it is so hard to find manual equipped 124s, I may just opt for the auto.

If you haven't done so already, do yourself a favor and test drive both. I was all set to get the AT after a test drive, until I drove the MT a few weeks later. The latter is so much more exciting and appropriate for the car. There was a much greater feeling (perhaps psychological, lol) of extra HP and torque driving the manual.

 

[JFernald]

If you haven't done so already, do yourself a favor and test drive both. I was all set to get the AT after a test drive, until I drove the MT a few weeks later. The latter is so much more exciting and appropriate for the car. There was a much greater feeling (perhaps psychological, lol) of extra HP and torque driving the manual.

I disagree with Jim. I drove both on the same day and found the automatic to be very precise in shifting. I have put over 2000 miles on mine and love the option of manually shifting the auto when I need the extra power, but also like the option of not having to shift while driving to the grocery store. Although the manual is excellent, it is not necessary. Performance with the auto is just as good as the manual.

 

[TomM]

Great! Thanks gentlemen.

Being that it is so hard to find manual equipped 124s, I may just opt for the auto.

Manuals are starting to trickle in. You may have to buy one from a distant dealer and either ride a bus out and drive it home or have it shipped.

I bought one from a dealer in Texas and am anxiously awaiting them to get it shipped to me at the moment. Supposedly this weekend, but we'll see.

 

[racergary]

My plan is to drive both back to back,it's also my understanding that the auto runs at lower revs in top gear than the manual,am I correct in reading postings on here it's about 700 lower RPMs at 60 in top gear with the auto spinning much less

 

[stevenvillatoro]

I've driven both. I had no real complaint with either transmission, and found both satisfying.

Mostly it's a lifestyle choice – how it fits in with your driving circumstances. I'll probably go automatic with the 124, simply because the SoCal freeways and congested city streets generally make shifting a nuisance. The automatic doesn't take away from the roadster experience, IMO.

Sometimes when you drive, you just wanna chill.

 

[zvezdah1]

yep my manual tranny days are behind me, quite content to let the car shift when it wants to!

I've driven both. I had no real complaint with either transmission, and found both satisfying.

Mostly it's a lifestyle choice – how it fits in with your driving circumstances. I'll probably go automatic with the 124, simply because the SoCal freeways and congested city streets generally make shifting a nuisance. The automatic doesn't take away from the roadster experience, IMO.

Sometimes when you drive, you just wanna chill.

 

[JFernald]

My plan is to drive both back to back,it's also my understanding that the auto runs at lower revs in top gear than the manual,am I correct in reading postings on here it's about 700 lower RPMs at 60 in top gear with the auto spinning much less

I was one of those contributing to the discussion. My automatic Lusso runs 1800 rpms at 60 mph. I think the person who said he got 2500 rpms at 60 mph was only guessing. Maybe someone else with a manual transmission can give us a more accurate reading.

 

[drbjaz]

I test drove both auto and manual and preferred the manual, but my wife, who was reluctant to purchase a roadster at the outset (we always make major purchasing decisions together), insisted that if we got one at all it had to be auto. The consolation for me is that we purchased a prima. While I think I would have enjoyed a manual more, in the big picture the auto was a good choice. My wife is my best friend and we do most things together. Last weekend we took our Spider out for a half-day tour on some winding back roads and she took a turn driving for the first time. She loved it. Although she knows how to drive a manual (manuals are all we owned the first half of married life), she has grown to greatly prefer auto, and I'm happy that she gets to share in the fun. Needless to say, the auto has been just fine and fits our purposes very well.

 

[stevenvillatoro]

I have my mind fixated on a white/red Abarth with paddle shifters, but every time I see the gorgeous blue Prima it makes me want to run for my checkbook.

 

[iamz]

I was feeling compelled at first to get the manual but the difficulty in finding them gave me more time to think about it. In the end, I'm probably more inclined to just chill (as stevenvillatoro says) and enjoy "cruising" verses "driving". There really aren't many exciting roads between where I live and where I work to make shifting all that entertaining. If I can ever test drive the manual, that would definitely help me make the choice but I'm really having doubts that they will ship any out here between now and spring. I'm just glad both trannies function well and are reliable

 

[frankmar]

Is the automatic the same one used in the current Miata?

Is it reliable?

Are the gear ratios published anywhere and how do they compare to the manual's ratios?

Thanks

I read somewhere that the AUTO TRANS is FIAT but the Manual is the Mazda 2015

 

[stevenvillatoro]

I read somewhere that the AUTO TRANS is FIAT but the Manual is the Mazda 2015

That is incorrect.

 

[vandor]

My plan is to drive both back to back,it's also my understanding that the auto runs at lower revs in top gear than the manual,am I correct in reading postings on here it's about 700 lower RPMs at 60 in top gear with the auto spinning much less

I have not driven an MT, but the AT car revs ~2500 rpm at 80mph.

 

[frankmar]

s the automatic the same one used in the current Miata?

Is it reliable?

Quote:
Originally Posted by iamz View Post
Is the automatic the same one used in the current Miata?

Is it reliable?

Are the gear ratios published anywhere and how do they compare to the manual's ratios?

Thanks
I read somewhere that the AUTO TRANS is FIAT but the Manual is the Mazda 2015

That is incorrect.

Here where I read it.
http://www.guideautoweb.com/en/articles/38795/2017-fiat-124-spider-a-masterstroke/

The gearboxes are different as well. The MX-5 features a choice of either an exceptional six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. The choice is the same for the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider, but the automatic is made by Aisin and is found in such cars as the Dodge Dart. Meanwhile, the manual comes from the Mazda3, not the MX-5.

Why, you ask? Apparently, the MX-5’s gearbox couldn’t handle the car’s extra torque.

 

[stevenvillatoro]

AUTOMATIC

BOTH the 2016/7 Miata (4th generation 'ND' series) and the 2017 124 use the same 6-speed automatic gearbox. It may have minor gearing or programming changes between models. This same automatic transmission has been offered in Miatas since 2006 until today, with no plan to retire it. It is an excellent and trouble-free transmission.

MANUAL

The 2016/7 Miata 'ND' uses a new SkyActiv 6-speed manual transmission, BUT the 124 uses the prior Miata 'NC' (3rd generation, 2006-2015) 6-speed manual transmission. The Miata 'NC' manual transmission used in the 124 has proven to be sturdier and more reliable than the newer Miata 'ND' transmission, although slightly heavier and notchier. A wise choice by FIAT.

 

[Dyim]

I test drove both auto and manual and preferred the manual, but my wife, who was reluctant to purchase a roadster at the outset (we always make major purchasing decisions together), insisted that if we got one at all it had to be auto. The consolation for me is that we purchased a prima. While I think I would have enjoyed a manual more, in the big picture the auto was a good choice. My wife is my best friend and we do most things together. Last weekend we took our Spider out for a half-day tour on some winding back roads and she took a turn driving for the first time. She loved it. Although she knows how to drive a manual (manuals are all we owned the first half of married life), she has grown to greatly prefer auto, and I'm happy that she gets to share in the fun. Needless to say, the auto has been just fine and fits our purposes very well.

Did you feel any difference in power delivery between the two?

I test drove an auto Abarth with salesman beside me. I found power delivery not very strong at freeway speed and transmission is reluctant to kick down. I didn't detect any huge difference between normal and sport modes either.

I also test drove a manual ND on my own and the car subjectively feels quicker.

Auto vs manual, 2 people vs lone driver, brand new Abarth vs more broken in ND. I know all that complicates things.

The issue is I think it would be difficult for me to find a manual Abarth to drive. I will try a manual non-Abarth.

Just wondering what are other's experience.