Does anyone have 1/4 times from the AT?

I wanted a MT so badly but my wife can not and will not drive a stick. Yes...with our circumstances it is sometimes necessary for her to drive the vehicle so I had to get the AT.
Just curious how much slower it is then the MT.

AT 197hp
MT 238hp

sorry I dont have numbers but the differnence in hp is huge

I knew the HP difference, I was wondering what that translated to in MPH. I guess I am hoping that I hear "not much" so I don't regret my decision too badly.

I haven't see any numbers on the AT runs, sorry

My Rx8 is automatic and I have only beaten 2 sports car I have tried to race from a stoplight. Im not going to even try anymore because I have lost to everything. The 350Z the two door G35 the Mustang GT the FirebirdTrans Am the Camaro Z28 the Eclipse the RSX and the hatchback Kompressor have all raced and smoked myc ar from stoplights in September. The only cars I beat was a Celica and a regular Camaro they were probably both automatic likemine too. Dontbuy an Rx8 in automatic if you want to race it b/c you will lose to alot of cars on the road.

Originally posted by JeRKy 8 Owner
Dont buy an Rx8 in automatic if you want to race it b/c you will lose to alot of cars on the road.

If you really want to race in your automatic:

1. start from about 30 mph
2. Don't race 350z, G35s, Mustangs, Firebirds, etc.

Most people that buy the automatics aren't going to race them. You didn't get the memo? :(

Originally posted by JeRKy 8 Owner
My Rx8 is automatic and I have only beaten 2 sports car I have tried to race from a stoplight. Im not going to even try anymore because I have lost to everything. The 350Z the two door G35 the Mustang GT the FirebirdTrans Am the Camaro Z28 the Eclipse the RSX and the hatchback Kompressor have all raced and smoked myc ar from stoplights in September. The only cars I beat was a Celica and a regular Camaro they were probably both automatic likemine too. Dontbuy an Rx8 in automatic if you want to race it b/c you will lose to alot of cars on the road.

Whether in manual or automatic form, the RX-8 was never designed to be a street light racer. Street light racing, or drag racing for that matter, requires an engine with lots of low-end torque--something the RX-8 is completely lacking.

If Mazda wanted to make a drag racer, they would have slapped a Ford 4.6L V8 under the hood. The RX is all about driving finesse and handling. Think about it. The RX has a low center of gravity, perfect 50/50 weight distribution, a Rotary engine that makes lots of HP, but very little torque, 13" brakes, etc.

Take any of the cars you mentioned above (except maybe the 350Z) and race them on a tight winding road and I guarantee the RX-8 will come out ahead!

Also, if you got beat by a Mercedes C230 Kompressor Coupe you obviously weren't trying hard to win. Those things go 0-60 in nearly 10 seconds. The RX-8 is way faster than that. With the RX-8 Auto, you have to brake-torque the engine (one foot on the brake while revving the engine with the other) and launch the car from the stop light at at least 3k RPM's. We make HP up high and need to get the engine there as soon as possible to win a race.

I agree from stoplight my 8 is slow
I don't race though
I'm very happy with the speed once the car gets going
Also, I can't wait to add hp mods like intake, exhaust, headers etc etc to help

Originally posted by mikeb
I agree from stoplight my 8 is slow
I don't race though
I'm very happy with the speed once the car gets going
Also, I can't wait to add hp mods like intake, exhaust, headers etc etc to help

Yep, me too. My drag racing days are over anyway. The car is quite capable at high revs though, once you get there. :)

Also, it's fun driving it fast. Feels solid, good road feel, nice handling.

I'd be surprised if the RX-8 auto is any faster than 16s. I drove the auto the first time I test drove the car since it was all they had, there's a good amount of SUVs out there that could take it. It felt about as fast as my friend's old mid 90s Civic EX. Peppy, maybe, fast, not in the least.

Ike

Originally posted by JeRKy 8 Owner
My Rx8 is automatic and I have only beaten 2 sports car I have tried to race from a stoplight. Im not going to even try anymore because I have lost to everything. The 350Z the two door G35 the Mustang GT the FirebirdTrans Am the Camaro Z28 the Eclipse the RSX and the hatchback Kompressor have all raced and smoked myc ar from stoplights in September. The only cars I beat was a Celica and a regular Camaro they were probably both automatic likemine too. Dontbuy an Rx8 in automatic if you want to race it b/c you will lose to alot of cars on the road.

How about..DONT RACE FROM STOPLIGHTS..stoop sauce.

What I want to know is, is the RX-8 Auto faster than my 83 Camaro Z28 automatic (which has like 150 HP...)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by IkeWRX
It felt about as fast as my friend's old mid 90s Civic EX. Peppy, maybe, fast, not in the least.

Ike

Oddly enough, one of the 2 challenges I have had was with a 98 Civic EX, it wasn't even close. Starting at about 35, the AT pulled away with authority. The 2nd encounter was with a Dodge Ram V8 short bed pick up, once again, from a 40mph start, the Ram was at my back bumper when we hit 80.

Peppy, w/o question, fast, a little, real fast, not in the least.

I agree mplc

and yes blue its faster than your 83 camaro

I would say times are comp to say a eclipse gt auto plelude auto they are all in the 180 to 200 mph range.high 15s low 16s sounds in the ballpark.Stay away from those v8s man.

I'll stay away from the v8's until I get my turbo and other mods
then I'll give it a run

I would address the obvious issue: your wife needs to learn how to drive a stick. If you really want the MT, she should be willing to learn for your sake.

if an RX-8 auto is faster than an 83 Camaro despite the low Torque, then I'll be happy cuz I'm happy with my Camaro Z28 as it is

What does the butt dyno say is faster between the 83 Z28 and the 04 RX8? That's all that really counts.

well um my Z28 has like 150 HP and a lot of torque so I'm not quite sure... it's pretty fast but not too fast

..I have the need for speed, but nothing to prove when some kid trys to race me in a pimped out car. The AT suits me fine for now, alot of practicality issues come with it.

It would be nice had the tiptronic be replaced with a semi-manual like F1's, certain BMW's.

I have been using the manual option on my AT recently and I don't shift until the 7,500 mark as opposed to the 7,000 the auto shifts at. This small 500-rpm difference adds several mph before hitting the next gear. It's hard to watch the red line, speedometer and the road at the same time but it seems I am around the 70 mph mark before 2nd redlines. The few challenges I have had are not from a dead stop but rather moving 30 to 40 mph. I switch to manual, drop it into 2nd so I am sitting around 3,000 rpm and she takes off.
I believe the loss of 38 HP is substantial but I think everyone underestimates the power of the AT.

I agree with most. Dont race with your RX8. Just cruise on by and leave people wondering. Otherwise you will be embarrased by almost any car on the road. The RX8 looks extremely fast, it just isnt in auto form. Lots of sedans even a honda acoord/altima/maxima/jetta (all v6) will beat the RX8 auto. Yes, even my daily driver, a Honda Pilot (i tested low 16's 1/4 mile) will beat a RX8 automatic. :o

I cant wait til the aftermarket goodies come

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sneakyracer
Lots of sedans even a honda acoord/altima/maxima/jetta (all v6) will beat the RX8 auto. Yes, even my daily driver, a Honda Pilot (i tested low 16's 1/4 mile) will beat a RX8 automatic. :o


Are you basing your comments on experience, HP, motor size ?? If you are basing the Pilots ability to beat the RX 8 soley on the 1/4 mile time, that goes back to the original question, what is the average 1/4 time of the AT?

Originally posted by Sneakyracer
I agree with most. Dont race with your RX8. Just cruise on by and leave people wondering. Otherwise you will be embarrased by almost any car on the road. The RX8 looks extremely fast, it just isnt in auto form. Lots of sedans even a honda acoord/altima/maxima/jetta (all v6) will beat the RX8 auto. Yes, even my daily driver, a Honda Pilot (i tested low 16's 1/4 mile) will beat a RX8 automatic. :o

..well all these cars you mention range 240 hp plus (not inc a jetta v6 at 200???), its obvious that they will outpace 197hp AT. I dont agree with 'every car' - thats really putting down the RX8 AT. Do you own an RX8 may I ask? If so, you'll understand the pride attached to every owner - and this crit. really is quite harsh.

When is someone going to take there RX-8 A/T to the strip?
I would but the nearest strip is closed for the season.

Originally posted by stangmatt66
Whether in manual or automatic form, the RX-8 was never designed to be a street light racer. Street light racing, or drag racing for that matter, requires an engine with lots of low-end torque--something the RX-8 is completely lacking.

If Mazda wanted to make a drag racer, they would have slapped a Ford 4.6L V8 under the hood. The RX is all about driving finesse and handling. Think about it. The RX has a low center of gravity, perfect 50/50 weight distribution, a Rotary engine that makes lots of HP, but very little torque, 13" brakes, etc.

Take any of the cars you mentioned above (except maybe the 350Z) and race them on a tight winding road and I guarantee the RX-8 will come out ahead!

Also, if you got beat by a Mercedes C230 Kompressor Coupe you obviously weren't trying hard to win. Those things go 0-60 in nearly 10 seconds. The RX-8 is way faster than that. With the RX-8 Auto, you have to brake-torque the engine (one foot on the brake while revving the engine with the other) and launch the car from the stop light at at least 3k RPM's. We make HP up high and need to get the engine there as soon as possible to win a race.


Mercedes C230 Kompressor Coupe
Auto
0-60 7.2 sec.

Manual
0-60 7.1 sec.

Auto C230 vs. auto RX8, then C230 definetely would win. It has more torque which auto RX8 needs to be a bit more quick.

Originally posted by Haris
Mercedes C230 Kompressor Coupe
Auto
0-60 7.2 sec.

Manual
0-60 7.1 sec.

Auto C230 vs. auto RX8, then C230 definetely would win. It has more torque which auto RX8 needs to be a bit more quick.

Direct from Car And Driver.com, July 2003 Article (http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=16&article_id=6748) :

"For the 2003 model of the C230, Mercedes has largely addressed our engine complaint with an all-new 1.8-liter, all-aluminum supercharged four-cylinder...The new 1.8-liter engine makes 189 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 192 pound-feet of torque at 3500 rpm. Indeed, the sprint to 60 mph for the 1.8-liter 2003 model is an unremarkable 8.1 seconds—more than a half-second slower than the 2002 model..."

The C230 also weighs in at 3290lbs (http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=16&article_id=6748&page_number=2) while the RX-8 AT is 200lbs lighter at 3053 (http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/pdf/specs_features/veh_specs_RX8.pdf). Close race? Maybe? But I still think the RX would come out ahead.

..agreed, i believe it would be close, but auto RX8 would win. I was in a C230 the other night and it certainly did not feel the pick up in comparison to the RX8

Fisrt of all, the MB C230 has a very good 5 SPEED Auto Tranny and good power down low. The RX8 auto has a 4 SPEED and power up high!

I base my comments on experience with the celica GT-s 4 Speed auto. It has 180 hp , weights only 2550 lb but it still posts HIGH 16 sec 1/4 mile times.

The auto rx8 is out of its element when racing. But if you purchased the auto tranny model you dont really care about speed and accel. It should be fast enough for you and it still delivers killer LOOKS and Fun Handling.

Umm, I think auto RX8 could win if you brake reved engine to about 3-4K RPm, and then start. It would probably get .5 sec less than on just hard launch.

If someone on here with an automaticRx8 like me ever gets turbo or twinturbo then tell me how much faster your Rx8 runs b/c I am interested in getting a turbo. Right nowthe car is too slow and Im ashamed to race people anymore.

Originally posted by JeRKy 8 Owner
If someone on here with an automaticRx8 like me ever gets turbo or twinturbo then tell me how much faster your Rx8 runs b/c I am interested in getting a turbo. Right nowthe car is too slow and Im ashamed to race people anymore.

Well did you try to brake rev the engine at all? I brake revved the engine at 3K rpm on cartest and results were alot improved. From 16 sec. to 15.5 sec. This is why if you can brake rev to about 4 or 5K, the car might even get into low 15s. I mean anybody who has RX8 should take their car to the track. Or at least buy that 0-60 and 1/4 mile device that they are selling on ebay for $60. It's accurate enough.

I'm gonna turbo my AT

Originally posted by Haris
Well did you try to brake rev the engine at all? I brake revved the engine at 3K rpm on cartest and results were alot improved. From 16 sec. to 15.5 sec. This is why if you can brake rev to about 4 or 5K, the car might even get into low 15s. I mean anybody who has RX8 should take their car to the track. Or at least buy that 0-60 and 1/4 mile device that they are selling on ebay for $60. It's accurate enough.

Perhaps you might know, but harris, is brake revving good for the RX8?

Originally posted by Irish_in_a_RX8
Perhaps you might know, but harris, is brake revving good for the RX8?

Im sure if you brake rev to 3K or a bit more wont harm the car. Anyways, there is warranty, so if I had auto rx8 (or any other automatic car) I would try it.

Originally posted by JeRKy 8 Owner
My Rx8 is automatic and I have only beaten 2 sports car I have tried to race from a stoplight. Im not going to even try anymore because I have lost to everything. The 350Z the two door G35 the Mustang GT the FirebirdTrans Am the Camaro Z28 the Eclipse the RSX and the hatchback Kompressor have all raced and smoked myc ar from stoplights in September. The only cars I beat was a Celica and a regular Camaro they were probably both automatic likemine too. Dontbuy an Rx8 in automatic if you want to race it b/c you will lose to alot of cars on the road.

I dont get why you'd even race cars with VQ engine. Geez, they got double the torque than your RX8 does. Race celicas, RSXs non-type S, V6 mustangs, V6 camaros, 240sx, preludes, etc. You shouldn't race some othe car that you know is gonna eat you alive.

Haris man thosecars you just told me to race are all like 7000 dollars less than my Rx8! When I see them on thestreets I dont even look at them. The carsI raced except for Eclipse are all in the same pricerange and they arethe type of sports cars I am intimidated byand was dying to race! Not the cheap shitty ones you are talking about man. When you see an Rx8 on the road you dont look at it and say that car belongs w/240sx preludes v6 mustangs camaros firebirds mr2s hondas and crap like that you look atit and think it should beaffiliated with the cars I tried to race. I guess I will haveto wait for some turbo.

Well auto preludes, auto RSX, and auto celica GT-s, all are around $24-26K when brand new. RX8 auto is at $25,7K for base model as well. I know you want turbo, but if I buy auto RX8 I would really want supercharger more than turbo. Till then, I'll just wait for 5 speed auto or 6 speed SMT transmission on RX8.

Originally posted by Haris
Well auto preludes, auto RSX, and auto celica GT-s, all are around $24-26K when brand new. RX8 auto is at $25,7K for base model as well. I know you want turbo, but if I buy auto RX8 I would really want supercharger more than turbo. Till then, I'll just wait for 5 speed auto or 6 speed SMT transmission on RX8.

Actually you can get a RSX Type S for a shade over 20k, and he's not going to hang with a type S. GT Celica for under 20k GT-S for a little more. And I have yet to see a RX-8 for under 27k. By the way I would add the MR-2 and any MT prelude to your list of cars to stay away from, and also most of those V6s with a MT...

Originally posted by IkeWRX
Actually you can get a RSX Type S for a shade over 20k, and he's not going to hang with a type S. GT Celica for under 20k GT-S for a little more. And I have yet to see a RX-8 for under 27k. By the way I would add the MR-2 and any MT prelude to your list of cars to stay away from, and also most of those V6s with a MT...

The auto comes with 16" wheels, smaller brake calipers, and "sport tuned suspension."

If the Sport Package is bought with the A/T, an $1800 option, then it comes with DSC, 18" wheels, fog lamps, xenons, sport tuned suspension, and the 12.7" brake calipers.

Otherwise, the mazda website lists a stripped A/T Rx-8 for $25,700.

Originally posted by IkeWRX
Actually you can get a RSX Type S for a shade over 20k, and he's not going to hang with a type S. GT Celica for under 20k GT-S for a little more. And I have yet to see a RX-8 for under 27k. By the way I would add the MR-2 and any MT prelude to your list of cars to stay away from, and also most of those V6s with a MT...

Yes, you can get non-type S RSX for a little over $20K. Type S's MSRP starts at $23,500 and with few basic options, it'll go up to RX8's price.

Originally posted by Haris
Yes, you can get non-type S RSX for a little over $20K. Type S's MSRP starts at $23,500 and with few basic options, it'll go up to RX8's price.

It's an acura, most of the cars only have Nav as an option and it's not available on the RSX Type-S. That 23,500 is the base price and fully loaded price for the Type-S, that includes leather and all available options. They can be had all day long for 21,500.

Ike

2003 Acura RSX
Type-S 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M)

MSRP Invoice True market Value
$23,270 $21,215 $21,695

Originally posted by tagS60
I would address the obvious issue: your wife needs to learn how to drive a stick. If you really want the MT, she should be willing to learn for your sake.

Do what I did: buy the wife her own car. :D

Originally posted by dvarapala
Do what I did: buy the wife her own car. :D
Funny, I know how you feel. I bought my wife her own car so she would not drive my FD daily.

I cant stand these threads.... the poster WANTS you to post your automatic transmission quarter mile times.... I want to see them.... he wants to see them....... especially in light of Mazdas claimed vs. truth history on this particular vehicle..... Will someone that ACTUALLY has the answer to this guys question weigh in?

Originally posted by 350zj
I cant stand these threads.... the poster WANTS you to post your automatic transmission quarter mile times.... I want to see them.... he wants to see them....... especially in light of Mazdas claimed vs. truth history on this particular vehicle..... Will someone that ACTUALLY has the answer to this guys question weigh in?
This thread was ruined along time ago. Anyway,either no one has gone to the strip or does not want to tell their time.

Originally posted by 350zj
I cant stand these threads.... the poster WANTS you to post your automatic transmission quarter mile times.... I want to see them.... he wants to see them....... especially in light of Mazdas claimed vs. truth history on this particular vehicle..... Will someone that ACTUALLY has the answer to this guys question weigh in?


Ok here are results from CarTest:

Start - 1K RPM
0-60 - 7.8 seconds
1/4 mile - 16.0 sec

Start - 3K RPM (Brake rev)
0-60 - 7.2 seconds
1/4 mile - 15.5 seconds

Now these are not fact, but more like estimated times. It might be exactly the same, it might be similar, or it might be different. Good luck!

This is great Harris - thanks for the results. It will be interesting to see how these times will improve with an air filter and other modifications. Harris, was the air temp at the time of testing?


Still, AT may not be a 'racer" for many babbling folks on this board, but the AT certainly makes me happy when dealing with slow traffic :-)

Would like to see more times.....I'll take mine out one of these nights.

note, as the poster said...these times are HYPOTHETICAL... My real interest is that my vehicle is automatic as well....we still do not have an answer

Originally posted by 350zj
note, as the poster said...these times are HYPOTHETICAL... My real interest is that my vehicle is automatic as well....we still do not have an answer

I certainly can read '350zj'. Its alot more than what has been previously
posted.

Originally posted by 350zj
I cant stand these threads.... the poster WANTS you to post your automatic transmission quarter mile times.... I want to see them.... he wants to see them....... especially in light of Mazdas claimed vs. truth history on this particular vehicle..... Will someone that ACTUALLY has the answer to this guys question weigh in?

Hey 350zj......take your pick

http://everything350z.com

http://www1.350z.com.au/

And don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out!!!

Thanks for the invite...but I already have seen the posted times for the automatic 350z...

Originally posted by Haris
Ok here are results from CarTest:

Start - 1K RPM
0-60 - 7.8 seconds
1/4 mile - 16.0 sec

Start - 3K RPM (Brake rev)
0-60 - 7.2 seconds
1/4 mile - 15.5 seconds

Now these are not fact, but more like estimated times. It might be exactly the same, it might be similar, or it might be different. Good luck!


Thanks for the info. . I was out this weekend with a stopwatch and a passenger trying to arrive at a 0 - 60 times.

I used the manual feature to get the extra 500 rpms before shifting. I found that if in full auto it will shift at 7,000.

No Brake Rev.

8.1 (air was on)
7.5
7.6
7.9

3,000 RPM Rev. (I have never done this before.)
7.6
7.2
7.4

The method used to arrive at these times is definitely crude but certainly in line with the results Haris posted.
I hope to find a stretch of road to measure off the 1/4. I will post my times when I do but they will be with the same crudeness.

Finally, mlpc... you are a credit to your kind

Originally posted by 350zj
I cant stand these threads.... the poster WANTS you to post your automatic transmission quarter mile times.... I want to see them.... he wants to see them....... especially in light of Mazdas claimed vs. truth history on this particular vehicle..... Will someone that ACTUALLY has the answer to this guys question weigh in?

Hi 350zj,

I believe that the vast majority of the 6-speed RX-8 owners didn't buy the RX-8 to drag race. The owners who do go to the track once in awhile would most likely not have bought the automatic.

Although we may yet get a post with some auto 1/4 mile times, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting. This auto RX-8 isn't the type of car where you will see the 1/4 mile #s all over the place.

Brian

Your right, I don't think you will see too many auto's at the track. I was just really curious, as I am sure most AT owners are, what is the effect of 38 fewer HP.

buger, your comments are misdirected at me... The ORIGINAL poster that owns Mazda RX-8 automatic wanted this information.... mlpc was also curious.... I am interested in this thread because I have an automatic....

I dont see what all the fuss is...I just wanted the thread to get back on track...and guess what....thanks to mlpc it did.

I think you guys mightget the 0to60 down to 7 seconds w/ the 3000rpm rev method. Iam impressed!

I think auto transmission should be able to get to low to mid 15s if you just keep trying and trying and getting best results from those 3-4K RPM launches. All those 39 extra HP in 6 speed would probably get car from 14.5-15s. So auto shouldnt be much behind.

back to could would and should, I could would and should have known

Originally posted by 350zj
buger, your comments are misdirected at me... The ORIGINAL poster that owns Mazda RX-8 automatic wanted this information.... mlpc was also curious.... I am interested in this thread because I have an automatic....

I dont see what all the fuss is...I just wanted the thread to get back on track...and guess what....thanks to mlpc it did.

What is your best time on your Z when it was stock? Considering it's an auto, it should be 14.5-15 sec?

I dont know what mine does..the track I want to go to only has open times on this tues, wed, fri..... I'm not gonna go on a Fri... and tues/wed are Chicago Cubs nights....(my clinch on tues) Maybe I'll go Wed. But again the thread isnt about 350z times.... please only post on this thread if you have ACTUAL auto rx8 times....This is what the original poster wanted..this is what another poster with an automatic wanted...this is what I want...jesus

AT 350z's are running 14.1-14.4@98-99mph.. The trap speed is a bit lower for the ATs.. The worst AT 350z timeslip I ever seen was a 14.5@97 and I am pretty sure it was at an altitude