mplc

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.

mikeb

AT 197hp
MT 238hp

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

mplc

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.

mikeb

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

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.

Buger

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?

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.

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

VelocityRedRX8

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.

Ike

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

Lee Chun

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

BlueOakleyz

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

mplc

[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.

mikeb

I agree mplc

and yes blue its faster than your 83 camaro

WTF no turbo

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.

mikeb

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

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.

BlueOakleyz

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

red_rx8_red_int

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

BlueOakleyz

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

Irish_in_a_RX8

iTrader: (1)

..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.

mplc

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.

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

mikeb

I cant wait til the aftermarket goodies come

mplc

[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?