For those of us over 6'2", the sun roof (or moon roof, whatever) makes it so you can't fit in the GT. So we tall fellas have to get the GS. But guess what, if you go to the "build your own mazda" you find that in 2009, unlike previous years, you can't opt for AT (with those neat paddle shifters) on the GS, only on GT. Now that sucks. :banghead: In USA, you can get AT on the GS or "Touring" version, correct?

Am I understanding right.... u want an automatic GS RX-8? If so, please step away from whatever you have been smoking and rethink your decision very very very carefully. :smokepoke

so put on your big boy pants and get a manual. lol. im only kidding...well, patially. I think the idea of the GS model is to be as cheap as possible. so it would make senes to not even have an auto as an option to me. plus, you dont see many GS autos in the 08 and older models anyways. if you are willing to shell out exta coin for an auto, then you are likely the person that will want the sunroof and other crap that comes with the GT package anyways. dont imagine everyone has the same problem as you do with the sunroof/head room issue.

Is the sunroof now standard in 2009? It used to be an option even on the GT. Might want to double check just in case.

why why why get an AT..... totally defeats the purpose man!!!

Is the sunroof now standard in 2009? It used to be an option even on the GT. Might want to double check just in case.

are you sure about that? ive never seen a GT with no sunroof

Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. :P

I was ready to buy my car without sunroof but the dealer couldn't find any in my colour so I had to pay an extra bit of money on my lease. I think it was a $1000 option if i recall.

edit: nevermind. I just checked mazda.ca and moonroof is listed as a GT feature. Maybe they changed it, maybe I'm crazy, though I'm pretty sure it's the former. :)

I'd love a GT if I could get it with AT but without the sunroof. Otherwise my head hits the roof. I loved the paddle shifters on my 2004 Rx-8 - at that time it was my first company car (leased to me) and there was a ceiling on the price tag so I had to be satisfied with GS rather than GT, and even then the GT only came with the damn sunroof. I can't drive a standard, though I had tried it but it was just too frustrating. Smash forehead on keyboard to continue...

I'd love a GT if I could get it with AT but without the sunroof. Otherwise my head hits the roof. I loved the paddle shifters on my 2004 Rx-8 - at that time it was my first company car (leased to me) and there was a ceiling on the price tag so I had to be satisfied with GS rather than GT, and even then the GT only came with the damn sunroof. I can't drive a standard, though I had tried it but it was just too frustrating. Smash forehead on keyboard to continue...


man, i see little old ladies driving standard proteges and mazda 3s all the time at work. before i was kidding about the "big boy pants" remark but now maybe not.....its frusturating to learn. but you only need to learn once. you are really robbing yourself of alot of plearsure just because you are giving up on something that millions of people do successfully all day everyday. and as far as manual sports cars go, the rx8 is among the easiest i've driven besides a miata.

qtwre...im almost sure GTs come with the sunroof, uprated sound system (more speakers or something), leather heated and power (drivers side only) seats, and DSC/traction control. that would be the differnce between all 04-08 GSs and GTs IIRC. I think it would be strange to have something like that as an option and for it to be rare to see one without. i mean its not like they would say oh, its an extra 100 bucks, sure ill get it. its an exensive option on cars that its deinfitly an option for...it seems like its split 50/50 with and without on cars that its an option for. thats all im saying. that being said im gonna see tomorrow if i can dig up some old brochures at work to figure this out. its bugging me now. lol

2007 model, sunroof was an option for $1000 even on the GT model. I know as fact.

2007 model, sunroof was an option for $1000 even on the GT model. I know as fact.

same with the 06...and it was only offered for the GT. You couldn't get it on the GS

I'm 6'1" and it's not like I'm graceful deer or something. I wear a 32" length pair of jeans yet I'm 73" tall and I fit well enough in my car. Wearing a helmet during Auto-X is a bit annoying but my reasoning was 'really how often am I going to be wearing a helmet...'

It's probably how you sit in the seat or how the seat is positioned.

Secondly, the reason people are telling you not to get an automatic is because unlike every other car I know of, the automatic gearbox has a different engine compared to the manual/standard model. The engine is still a 1.3 two rotor but you lose 2000 rpm off the top of the engine and the power and torque curves are much different compared to the full-fat, 9300 rpm screamer that the manual transmission gets. The result is the whole feel of the car is just wrong. It's not just because the enthusiast likes the feel of a manual transmission, it's that the engine the automatic gets kind of takes anyway from the soul of the car.

Yeah seriously, get the manual version for this car, It's even worth learning to drive stick just for this car. Also, Sunroof was an option on my 04, I checked it when we got it. Even if I'm only 5'8" I see much more headroom for a guy that's 6 foot +!

Sad thing about this car is that the navigation system is a 2600$ OPTION!!! You can get a better one for much less than that!

i learnt stick just for this car -- well worth it and would choose to do it again for sure

Please, please for the love of all that's holy get the manual.

Guys... my brother is 6' 8" and he fits in in my GT just fine.

Suck it up. :lol:

Some people have proportionately long torsos and short legs. Maybe our friend here is of of them.

btw, why not just get an 08 or 07 gs auto if they don't have them in 09?

If I recall, the GS auto combo was the only model not to come with a limited slip differential. That's rough.

Down boys Down! Looks like you scared him off! lol

Down boys Down! Looks like you scared him off! lol

this is why i have no friends. :icon_no2:


haha

I'm 6'1" and it's not like I'm graceful deer or something. I wear a 32" length pair of jeans yet I'm 73" tall and I fit well enough in my car.

Are you my doppleganger? Those are my dimensions. Are you rake-like skinny too?

Some people have proportionately long torsos and short legs. Maybe our friend here is of of them.

btw, why not just get an 08 or 07 gs auto if they don't have them in 09?

If I recall, the GS auto combo was the only model not to come with a limited slip differential. That's rough.

I would prefer a 2008 GS AT (the appearance of the 2008 model is nicer - more classic - anyway) but t is a lease for company car and the provider (GE Capital Services) says they'll only do current year models. I'll ask my dealer if I can get a 2009 GT without the sunroof, but according to the website it is on there whether I want it or not.

welp... good luck in your search either way.

i am surprised you even want a AT most french are quit european and love to drive stick.....not to be stereotypical or anything...i wouldnt even buy an 8 out there with the way people drive....

I went through the AT bashing when I first joined this forum in 2003 and we were discussing the 2004 first-release models, so it doesn't get under my skin this time. I feel it is a bit late for me to learn stick (I'm 50) even if I do find one of those expert little old ladies to give me lessons. I'll look for a GT with AT but without sunroof or a GS with AT. And to make double sure, I'll try to squeeze into a GT again (I could always stick my head out through the sunroof).

P.S. I'm not French...

Dude you can still drive a manual at 50!

Its wonderful...we will offer free lessons to teach you in your car if you buy it in Toronto! :)

Lets see...get the car in the morning (3-5 rx8 following the new car); learning for an afternoon; drive all the way back to Montreal!

That will be like LoTR - Lord of the Rotaries...I am sure you will love it!

If you really need at AT.... get an infiniti or nissan coupe instead. They are torqueier than the rx-8 despite not as thrilling to drive as the Mazda. However with an AT, half of the thrill is gone. Not to mention aren't AT rx-8 have the largest share of engine problems due to carbon built up thanks to lower rev limit?
In any case please do yourself a favour, get something else. An AT RX-8 will just leave you disappointed. I just don't want to se you coming back and pile hate on the rx-8 down the road. And with a handle like 'Canada', it sure won't bode well with inter-border rx-8 forum relationships! :lol:

I agree with Delhi

Thanks for your advice, folks. Some other points to consider are:
1) I didn't have any problem with the motor on my 2004 RX-8 (AT)
2) that car was a thrill to drive despite a lower rev limit (it beat the hell out of anything else I've ever driven)
3) this will be another 3-year lease, so I'm not worried about carbon build-up
4) the coupes are out, as my employer limits company cars to those having 4 doors

I'll let you know how this all turns out.