mhl12

Hi guys, I'm new.

I want to learn how to drive manual this summer and I heard some good stuff about the RX-8. If I were to buy one, I would definitely buy a used.

I was wondering if this is a good car to learn how to drive manual. If not, what car would you recommend? Thanks.

Mazdaspeed RX8 ver2

learn on a old honda or something old, i learned on a miata before driving my 8. I'm too afraid to mess up a beautiful car like the 8. But i would just recommend learning on an old beater.

Raptor2k

I learned stick on mine. It will only take you a few days to get the hang of. It's also forgiving, you might semi-stall but then the car can go back into neutral quickly. Start by learning how to drive around in the neighborhood or a parking lot, then when you feel confident, try driving on the streets and try not to stall at lights

Mazdaspeed RX8 ver2

i agree with this as well! Don't go out on the main street right away, its just embarassing!

mhl12

k thanks for your replies. I'm still open for other suggestions as well.

Also, one question. I've searched through the forums and read the snow tires are entirely necessary for snowy climates which is bad news since I live in New England. I'm just wondering, if the road was already plowed and sprayed with sand, will I still need the snow tires?

stickman

The rx8 has a very light clutch and smooth shifter, even though there is not a lot of torque at launch it is still an easy car to get off. Do like the others said and practice in a parking lot. Other than that, if someone you know has a pickup truck with a manual that would be even easier because of the greater torque and different gearing.

REMillers

Would recommand it, even just on cold weather the stock tires aren't much help till they warm up. If not snow tires then least some all seasons will help on plowed roads. Ultimate best bet is to get some beater car for such weather.

And the 8 is a fantastic car to learn stick on, the clutch and shifter are very easy to use. Was 10 years since the last time I drove a stick and in a day of playing in a parking lot got use to a stick again. Just take 1 step at a time, learn to engage it, shift through the gears, then after awhile start playing with downshifting, rev matching etc.

Winfree

Yes, you will need snow tires, because you get patches of black ice, and also, some times it snows or freezes before or after the snow plow comes, and freezing sleet is killer! - I rather liked studded tires for winter and the studs reduced tread wear as well.

I suggest trying out an 8 stick first and then try the automatic/stick - Stick takes a little work but if you think of the clutch as sort of a like a break, it can help. The automatic sticks are very user friendly! An old stick '04 can be "interesting" even if you have been driving stick all your life! The 05 has fewer hang ups - you might want to wait and get a "new" 05 - after the 06's come out - one that has been sitting on the lot, because you have the advantage of a good long warrenty, and a lower price. Also many people sell their car because there is something wrong with it, and their dealer has not been able to satisfy them with or because Barby Bunny bought it because it looked cute but then discovered you need to have a little bit of engineering to deal with it. 04s had some flaws because this was a newly issued car and it needed a little crafting. Early 05s also had some recall issues, an 05, after August is a peice of art, and they say that the 06s will be faster because of an improved transmission. Also check with your dealer, and credit unions for Bank Repos - sometimes you can get a car for just the price that was still owed and it will still have warrenty left on it. Also, this car is sort of like a truck or an old heavy BMW - they don't like cold weather to start up in - so if you don't have a heated garage you might consider a different engine - try a get in touch with some of the people in Clubs in your area and Canada and get cold weather tips from them.

DOMINION

Yeah why not

tjbourgoyne

Rent a manual U Haul truck. You can stall and grind all you want and if you learn to drive it you can drive any stick with ease.

Animagix

the 8's very easy to learn stick with.

ucleadguitar

iTrader: (1)

I learned to drive stick on my 8 and had it down within 3 days. And definitely avoid the streets at first cause otherwise the people will be beaping away when you stall.

tjbourgoyne

That can't be a good way to break in an 8. It would have been fun to ride shotgun for those 3 days!

RedSheDevil

buy snow tires. dont think twice, just get em.

BlueRenesis82

learn on somebody elses car like bunnygirls, then you can go drive yours with confidence

Paul_in_DC

If you buy a used car, check the tires. The original tires (Bridgestone Potenza or Dunlop SP Sport) are summer performance tires that are useless, even dangerous, in ice and snow. It's not just the tread pattern, but the formulation of the tire compound. In summer they're soft and sticky, but in winter they're stiff and slick. Do NOT attempt to use them in the winter.

On the other hand, if the car you buy has had its original tires replaced with all-season tires, you'll do okay in snow, but your summertime handling will suffer.

Winfree

I second the motion on trying a truck first - might try an older Ford truck - I noticed a lot of similarities in the feel of the '04, and some Ford engineering may have made a contribution to the design - any one know for sure?

DOMINION

lesper4

iTrader: (3)

i would also recommend learning on a different car, i already new how to drive a stick from my 240sx but found it a big difference compared to the 8

ucleadguitar

iTrader: (1)

MY girlfriend hated being shotgun those 3 days...she said she had a constant headache from all the jolting back and forth...hehe.

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

i learned on the 8. took about 3 hours to get the basics down. make sure u have an empty lot or a lot of space though. after learning on the 8, i found some other cars like the scion tc to be real easy.

tiltmode43

iTrader: (15)

I'd say easy besides the fact that the rpm's seem to drop relatively fast (when compared to my friend's subby). Heh, and for the first few weeks if your friend's mock you about being a "shitty driver" as mine did to me, ignore them - your the one with the 8!

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

have fun burning the clutch and grinding the gears.... and stalling...

soldano

i would not recommend using a sports car to learn how to drive a stick.

BullitHockey

I learned manual on a honda civic then when i got my rx8 i found that the clutch was so much different. If you understand the concept of shifting then you could probably learn on the 8, just realize that its clutch is like no other clutch out there