Despite my previous diatribe on the necessity of an automatic transmission, I decided I would feel forever cheated if I didn’t have the high power-engine. Out of the dozen or so cars I’ve owned, only three have had auto. transmissions. I realized, traffic or not, if the RX-8 6-speed tranny and clutch action are as good as has been reported, what’s the problem?

Mazda has given us little incentive to want the auto. version; any driving impressions we’ve seen have been of the high-power 6-speed. Take away 40 HP, add ~50 lbs, and couple the engine to the rear end via fluid, and performance is probably going to be about on par with the V6 Camrys, 6’s and similar cars. Not necessarily bad, but my reasons for owning an RX-8 are to have above average performance, in addition to the car being rotary powered and having a unique design. Fuel economy may or may not be better, that remains to be seen.

Also, I’d imagine Mazda will introduce a sequential 6-speed or 5-speed automatic that will work with the ~250 HP engine, but waiting for it would be a gamble I feel I really don’t need to take.

The salesman (Pat at Morrie’s) was good about changing my order to the 6-speed version, Wednesday would be the deadline for changing orders, he told me earlier. I’m not getting any option packages, the DSC, traction control, and xenons would have been nice, but I’ll invest that money into a good set of snow tires and wheels, which I’d need in any case. But man, It's gonna be devastating seeing my new car covered with salt...

Congrats KKMmaniac,

The automatic was never an option for me. ;) I was originally going to get the base high performance model but after looking at the options, I've decided that the sport package is a pretty good thing to have.

I am getting a different set of 17" rims for my winter/snow tires but the DSC will be a good thing to have in the snow also. My RWD RX-7 has served me well. I've been a good and lucky enough driver to not get into any accidents or close calls in 4 Colorado winters after growing up in Hawaii. Who says that people need FWD or AWD in the snow. :)

Brian

Cars can be bought with a contraption that changes gears for you? :confused: :D :p
Wow, who woulda thought... ;)

Yeah Buger,

DSC and traction control would be ideal, especially for driving in the mountains. I thought I'd keep it simple though. (plus, I am kind of a cheapskate!) This winter, here, most of the white stuff we've seen so far has been road salt, but it can (and probably will) get snowy and slippery.

Incidentally, my cars have had an ingenious device controlled by a lever in front of the steering wheel that causes lights to flash on the front and rear of the vehicle, indicating to other drivers the direction I will be turning. I think most cars do, but most people don't know about them yet!