5 or 4 speed box

[macspratt]

Hi everyone,i have been reading a few things since the last time i wuz ere,mostly about the gearboxes,a few ppl say to stay away from the 4 speed auto box on the earlier modles below a 97 as there have been a few problems with them.
My budget only allows me to buy a 95-96 ,iam still going to try find an manual box,but they are rare as u know,and possibley i may af2 settle for an auto.

Hope u can shed some light on this question.

tnx mac,,,,p.s thanx raf and dave for the info,,

[Myfeckin FTO]

Not sure what the question is really - but here goes.

Is the 5 speed Tip more reliable than the 4 speed?
Yes - but its only on 97 onwards models.
Is a Manual Gearbox quicker and more reliable than a Tip box?
Yes. I have owned both Tip GR and Manual GPX and theres no contest here really.

If going with a Tip box - ensure it has had regular oil changes.

I have a manual GPX I will be selling begining of next month - It will be at the upcoming rolling road.

[CJ]

5-speed tips are much more reliable than 4-speeds, in saying that, you're talking 97 plus and you'll pay a premium on that front. There are very few 5-speeds in the country, most of the facelift models knocking around are manuals.

4-speed boxes have a bad name because people don't realise they need regular oil changes, as long as you can get some proof that the oil and filter have been changed every 10-15,000 kms or so, you should be OK.
Service history makes a bigger difference on the tips IMO, the manual gearboxes can take a lot of abuse before thay start showing serious problems.

Decide on your budget and base your purchase on that, at the moment, everyone seems to be on the lookout for manual FTOs so tips are suffering pricewise (i.e. bargains to be had). As long as you're not in a hurry, you should find one that suits your needs and budget.

CJ

[kevinod]

I have a manual GPX I will be selling begining of next month - It will be at the upcoming rolling road.

Without meaning to hijack the thread Mffto - you updating or going for something else?

Kev.

[Mustang]

Kevinod wrote

Without meaning to hijack the thread Mffto - you updating or going for something else?

I too would like to join in the hijack Well MfFTO

CJ wrote

4-speed boxes have a bad name because people don't realise they need regular oil changes, as long as you can get some proof that the oil and filter have been changed every 10-15,000 kms or so, you should be OK.
Service history makes a bigger difference on the tips IMO,

I agree, I think the biggest problem with the tips is that through lack of knowledge (as apposed to willful neglect), some of these cars have not received the regular oil changes they require. leading to gerbox failures and a bad rep.

CJ also wrote

I5-speed tips are much more reliable than 4-speeds

I expect that this is true. I would expect a redesign and the addition of an extra cog to yield better reliability. However, bare the following in mind. At a guess I'd say there's only and handful of 5 speed's in Ireland. So not a big representative sample, also they are of course newer and so with lower miles and less likely to fail.

[Neil]

I have a manual GPX I will be selling begining of next month - It will be at the upcoming rolling road.

Do you have any pics of your car online MfFTO? If so I would really like to see...

(I am on the verge of importing and would hate a car very much identicle to my particulars to come on the irish market the week after I have paid to ship one around the world!)

[Myfeckin FTO]

I'll put some pictures up during the week - but I've already had a couple of offers on the car from mates (inc the mechanic that works on the car)
who know the work that has gone into the car since it was imported last April/May. I don't think I'll need to advertise it. I'll put it on the for sale section here for the craic - ye're welcome to view the car but it won't be sold cheap.

I'd like to get my paws on a 99 or 00 FTO manual GPX or GPvR - though the car is in perfect condition it would be nice to have a last of the line model and spend my bucks on the best FTO I can get hold of.

Really depends on what I sell my car for as I've spent a LOT of money in the past 9 months on the car to get it to its current spec.

I'm also selling the GF's 98 1.8 Mazda Roadster (shes getting a new car) so I'll be able to give the new FTO my full attention.

[Neil]

cool well id be interested in seeing it anyway...