I know this is quite premature, but this has been kinda bugging me ever since I talked to a Mazda sales guy who told me to keep my Prelude over the RX-8 (!!)

I've become pretty attached to the car, and love the way it handles (even tho it's a front driver) -- in fact, I prefer it over my G35 coupe. IT's been great all year round, even in the Winter, and i've been happy with the performance, despite the fact it's an automatic.

I ordered an RX-8 GT with Nav, but also got the automatic -- and no, that can't be changed. The Prelude is an auto as well.

As the eleventh hour nears, i've been questioning my decision to trade in the 'Lude for an RX.

Anyone have some thoughts or opinions to sway me in either direction?

Here's some observations:
Ingress/egress into the RX rear seats will be much easier than the prelude.
Gas mileage on the prelude is amazing (I usually get close to 30 mpg and have a lead foot): not so on the RX, even though the prelude is likely faster and heavier.
Prelude has 30lb-ft more torque, but the RX has 15 more hp.
Prelude will be better in the winter
Prelude in dark green is much less of a cop magnet than the red RX.
Interior is far better in the RX -- leather, etc.

Oh yeah, and the mileage on the prelude is about 9,600 miles

whats with a few ticks!?!?!

RX ALL THE WAY!

blahaha only kidding


look at your car when it comes in, then decide

edit:
OOOHHHH THE BIG 500!!
________
Weed Vaporizer (http://weedvaporizers.org/)

From all indications, the AT version of the RX-8 leaves a lot to be desired in the performance category.

If I were you -- stay with the 'lude & re-order a MT RX-8.

If I were you -- stay with the 'lude & re-order a MT RX-8. [/B][/QUOTE]

My thoughts exactly! That auto RX (in it's current config) is an abomination :mad:

Hopefully your deposite is refundable. If it is wait for the car to come in a take it for a test drive. If you find the performance lacking to such a dergree that you rather keep your lude, then do it.
No other person can make up your mind for you becuase everyone has varying tastes, so keep the one that feels better.

Originally posted by laferle
Oh yeah, and the mileage on the prelude is about 9,600 miles

9,600 miles in about 5.5 yrs :eek:. Wait until you drive the 8. You will want to drive it everyday.

Thanks for all the opinions so far, but, as much as I'd love a 6MT, it's just not in the cards at this point. So this is between an automatic prelude and an automatic RX-8, unfortunately.

If it's auto/auto, stick with the 'lude.

Great car by the way.

The lude will have strong resale value, especially with that low of miles...if that counts for anything.

You gotta drive the 8 of course, but at this stage I'd say drive the lude until you can afford to buy something independent of the 'rents so you can get a m/t :)

Originally posted by rxeightr
From all indications, the AT version of the RX-8 leaves a lot to be desired in the performance category.

If I were you -- stay with the 'lude & re-order a MT RX-8. Agreed.

While I love the RX-8... the Auto is really a waste unless you just want a four seat Miata... because that's what you're going to get.

It will be fun, but rather slow even for my tastes. Power's not everything but when you don't have it... it's a lot.

Same thing goes with money :)

Well, I've been thinking alot about it and I've decided that the value of the prelude is such that I might as well just keep both the Prelude and the RX and enjoy the best of both worlds. If I hate the auto RX, I can always get rid of it.

Originally posted by laferle
Well, I've been thinking alot about it and I've decided that the value of the prelude is such that I might as well just keep both the Prelude and the RX and enjoy the best of both worlds. If I hate the auto RX, I can always get rid of it.
Hey, if you can afford it than go for it.

its a shame ... he got 2 great cars and he is going to get an rx-8, but their all automatic... its just a shame.

Do you know how to drive a stick???

If someon like automatics then there is no reason to hate on them for it.

I personaly like manuals much better, but to each his own.:)

Well no, I don't know how to drive a manual, but that's not my excuse because I'm willing and able to learn. The real issue is that the other drivers in the house have no desire to learn, and they're the ones with the final say in the matter.

edit: And cueball, thanks for the support :)

Kidding . . . right??

Originally posted by laferle
Well, I've been thinking alot about it and I've decided that the value of the prelude is such that I might as well just keep both the Prelude and the RX and enjoy the best of both worlds. If I hate the auto RX, I can always get rid of it.

Keep the prelude.

Trade in the G35 for RX-8 and be a happy man!

Originally posted by Donny Boy
Kidding . . . right??

About what?

Originally posted by cueball1029
If someon like automatics then there is no reason to hate on them for it.

I personaly like manuals much better, but to each his own.:)

whos hating... I am just saying its just a shame.

Originally posted by laferle
Well, I've been thinking alot about it and I've decided that the value of the prelude is such that I might as well just keep both the Prelude and the RX and enjoy the best of both worlds. If I hate the auto RX, I can always get rid of it.

A couple of other factors to spin the decision:
- you don't drive very many miles in a year.
- you have to get an automatic because some people in your household are too selfish and don't understand what sports cars are about ;)

Why not just pass on your ordered 4-spd auto RX-8 and wait a year (it might be two, but I doubt it) until the 5 speed auto with the 250 hp engine is available? Better yet, at the same time a 6 spd SMT will be introduced. Either of those cars will be much quicker than the 2004 RX-8 auto. That will mean two things - the 5 spd auto or especially 6 spd SMT will be worth owning; and the resale value of the 2004 lo-power 4 spd auto RX-8 will drop like a rock since it will be the lame duck model.

I've said it before, I'll say it again - if anyone absolutely must have an auto trans RX-8, they should wait until Mazda introduces those two versions.

Regards,
Gordon