roland_beech

I know there are manual 2006 Rx-8's around now, but no "new and improved" automatics listed on mazdausa yet...

Any outlook on arrival, or has the 4-port/6-port mystery perhaps deepened?

Mazda Monkey

Arrive towards the end of April.

Kay Fisher

Dealer called me yesterday. My automatic is "On the water".

BunnyGirl

My dealership said they are do in sometime around the mid 20s of April.

presequel

ive been waiting for it....im hoping to test it out so i can finalize my decision on auto vs manual since this 06 model is supposed to have more power and is 6spd...

i driving in 1.5hr traffic every morning and 1hr at night...so im leanin towards auto.

Kay Fisher

I agree - there is nothing worse than being stuck in a hour traffic jam with a stick shift. They gave me a Titaniam Grey 2005 loaner till mine arrives and I enjoyed the stick shift for a month. Then since the automatics were delayed I returned the RX-8 and asked for an automatic loaner. Now I have a Mazda 6 auto on loan.
Don't care for it much but like the 6 speed auto in it.

Duke15

How did you manage to get the loaner? I am waiting on my car and driving my old one that I would like to sell. The dealer just took a $1000 deposit to order the car for me.

torbee

"i driving in 1.5hr traffic every morning and 1hr at night...so im leanin towards auto."

I don't get to say this that often, but man, there are times I am so glad I live in Iowa.

When my commute drags out to 20 minutes instead of 15 I get a little cranky. I can't imagine dealing with the kind of traffic you folks in SoCal, Chicago, Atlanta, D.C., etc.

presequel

Yes its a HUGE PAIN. Especially when mapquest tells you its a 20 min drive. But you know its not, even if its only like 15-25 miles or whatever.

Theres only a few hours in a day where there isn't traffic though, so you learn to live with it.

Rich Rx-8

I have an '05 A/T and I'm really happy, the whole traffic thing is the main reason I didn't go with the M/T. I drive the M/T alot when I get my oil changed. No issues with my 4 port, everyone says they're proned to problems, I have had not one problem so far. The new '06 A/T is gonna be faster than the current 4 port, I'm itching to test it out. It's only like 20 HP difference between the '06 A/T and the M/T. Plus the sound of the 6 port engine is better. I might trade in for the '06 A/T but I wanna drive it first.

V Vette

iTrader: (-1)

Whats an automatic??????

zoom44

06 ATs are at the Ports

rickeo

iTrader: (1)

I agree, i would rather spend hours upon hours in standstill traffic with a stick shift then be subjected to an automatic sports car... that should be an oxymoron, takes the "sport" out of it, plus there slow.

therm8

Are these comments really necessary in this thread?

rickeo

iTrader: (1)

sorry

therm8

No biggie, I just don't want to see it degenerate into a MT vs AT thread.

Rich Rx-8

Haha it always does! Even though I say that I really like both cars, just for different reasons, everyone gets so competitive, especially when I mention that I have an A/T. I think it's awesome that we're narrowing the hp gap to only 20hp in the '06 A/T. I might be swapping into one soon. 6 speed A/T is gonna be really nice.

presequel

i just checked my local dealer, they have one in stock. its grey tho O_O it might be cursed....

i'm gonna test it out tho to see how it compares.

Kay Fisher

When I traded our 2002 Mustang GT Convert they wanted it right away.
So we made the deal and they have given me loaners ever since.
The first month was a new 2005 TI RX-8 Touring MT.
The second month was a Mazda 6 with a 6AT.
Now (hopefully for the last couple weeks) it is a Mazda Tribute.

So in a way I made out. But most of the time I would rather be driving my old Mustang.

Checked status two days ago - was still "On the Water"

Respectfully,
Kay R. Fisher

BlueEyes

Driving a manual in traffic is when you practice. Practice heel toe, practice your launches, practice being smooth on the throttle, practice practice practice. Then when you hit the open road.....KAAABLOOOWWWWWIEEEEEEEE! it's all worth it. Or play games, I do that too. How long can I stay at 1500 rpm, can I start from 2, 3, 4, 5th gear, etc ec

saturn

During traffic I like to zone out and daydream about how cool it would be be driving a manual. If there's a Mountain Dew bottle handy I'll use it as a shifter after placing it in the conveniently located cup holder. If there's some h0t ch1cks around I'll throw it into neutral so they can see that I'm teh cool in my "manual" tranny car.

Just kidding (but not really)...

BlueEyes

Haha. I've seen people do that, the neutral thing. It's funny as hell, especially if it's a car which doesn't come in manual. Who you fooling!!?!?!

saturn

All the h0t ch!cks. They don't know what cars come with what transmissions. They just know they can't resist dudes who shift for themselves. I have a manumatic so I get some chicks. When I upgrade to a real manual then I'm going to be set for life. Perhaps it doesn't work what way in Canada, but you should have learned this in driver's ed.

DreRX8

Unfortunately most drivers ed courses in the states don't use M/T cars--I know mine didn't--I learned to drive stick in a compilation of cars an old 325 BMW and 94 MX6. I have an auto 8 now and love it--but next time around I plan on getting a true M/T--maybe a SMG/DSG type (depends on car) but I was not really impressed with BMWs SMG when I drove it. I haven't experienced Audi's DSG yet however.

BlueEyes

All the hot chicks in Canada know what cars come with what, because all the hot chicks in Canada hang out with me. Okay, maybe not all, but the ones that do tell their freinds.