0-60 using paddle shifters
 

I was plannig on purchasing an automatic rx-8 but was very disappointed when I heard about its extremely slow acceleration (0-60 in 8.5secs or so). I thought that it would be better if I purchased a manual one. It's a real hassle to drive a manual for me especially since I have to drive a lot. I don't wanna switch to a car that is slower then the one I currently have (92 Lex LS400 V8 250HP plus intake 0-60 7.3secs). I would appreciate it if maybe someone could tell me what the 0-60 of the automatic using paddle shifters is.

Drivers Magazine, 06/20/03

RX8 Type S (250hp 6MT) RX-8 Type E (210hp 4AT)
0-100km ---------6.83------------9.10--------
0-400m ----------14.9-----------16.55--------

btw: these are JDM models with higher power ratings, so US models might be slightly slower.

I believe that rating you have listed there from Driver's Magazine is for 0-60 (0-100km) on the automatic RX-8 WITHOUT using the paddle shifters/triptonic mode.

I think the paddle shifters/triptonic mode could knock it down closer to maybe 8.6 - 8.7 or so (assuming you turn off all stereo equipment and the air conditioning).

hmm... why would the stereo change the acceleration of the car? the air conditioning turns itself of at 65% WOT.

Because it gives more volts to the engine so more HP is free from parasitic loss from Accessories. Like Radio/AC other stuff like the NAV. I picked up a 100th of a sec. in the 1/4th by turning off my Electro dimmer mirror and compass.

You'll find more of a 100th difference based on temperature, humidity changes, wheelspin, etc. If you tried them back to back you could even get a discrepancy because the intake manifold is now hotter than it was the first time you tried it. If you are getting within 100th of a sec every time you try it, congratulate yourself. You are the world's most consistent driver. Sorry, it wasn't your mirror that made you faster. It's amperage that you are freeing up, not voltage. (Please no tech responses there. I know how it works.)

aha ok thanks a hundredth of a second from just turning off the auto dimmer? ok thanks

edit: how many hundredths of a second do you think i could shave off by removing the dash fuse(s) so no power was going to the dash?

There is no reason to believe the paddle shifter mode will accelerate the vehicle any better than leaving it in D. Unless there is some documentation out there that supports it. Usually WOT shifting program in the D gear gives optimal acceleration.

sigh not this paddle shifter issue again. do a search

the paddle shifters are just a gimmick, they arent real shifters. and they wont improve accelaration

cars with real manuals with real shift capabilities are the bmw m3, ferriars, and the R32. theres prolly a few more.

I drove the AT today and gave it a pretty good test both in the fully auto and the paddle mode. I didn't see a substantial difference in the acceleration. The shift point was pretty high in the auto mode. I didn't time the runs, but I will say that I recently test drove the Lexus IS-300 with the automatic and it was certainly faster than the Lexus. The published numbers for the IS are 7.5 sec, 0-60 in auto. I don't know whether I believe it is really that fast. But I'm convinced the RX is faster. One thing I haven't noticed is that the auto doesn't respond well when you floorboard it off the line. It accelerates much better with a gradual, but aggressive increase in pedal position. Hard to explain, but experiment with it and you'll find there is an optimum pedal position off the line.

Hey guys!

I was going to start another thread but figured I'd try to get an answer here first. ;)

Does anyone know the best way to break-in an AT? Basically, should I just drive in auto or manual mode for the first 600 miles?

Are the AT 0-60 times based from power braking and launching at a high RPM or launching from an idle?

The 0-60 time for the manual (6MT) is 5.9-6.3 Seconds, with a hard start.

Well, tell it to the Drivers magazine drivers who ran production JDM spec cars. Until we get some new magazine reviews, I am not buying the preproduction 5.9 number.

I know someone on this forum posted that they had done it in about 6.0 themselves with their production model... for what it is worth.

I had a loaner RX-8 with A/T for a few days before mine came in, and I got 0-60 in 9.0 seconds in the auto mode. It shifted at 7000 rpm each time (full throttle). I did not test it in the manual mode, because it only had 200 miles, and I didn't want to abuse it. My car isn't broken in yet (320 miles). I will do some testing soon. However, last nite I "accidentally" revved it to 8000 rpm in the manual mode. So, since peak HP is at 7200 rpm, and it revs past 7000 in the manual mode, it should be faster.

As an ex-IS300 owner I paid a lot of attention to the performance numbers for that car when it came out (in the first year it was only available with a 5-speed automatic). Every magazine has tested it at between 7.1 and 7.5 secs (e.g. 7.4 secs at Motor Trend).

One of the things that I thing is going on with the RX auto is that testing is being done by flooring it off the line. The car really struggles when you do that. I'm not sure why. I tried driving it in virtually every combination with the paddles, full auto, flooring it, and gradual throttle off the line. The best response was a gradual and aggressive increase in throttle off the line. I believe, but have no hard data to say that it is much faster than 9 when driven like this. I do not think it is a low 7's car. More like 8, so if the IS does 7.3 it is faster in the 60.
The quick transmission response of the paddle does make the RX a more enjoyable ride. In my opinion only of course. I really like both cars and would be driving an IS now. However, my wife never really liked the styling of it and asked me to be patient until something that was a little more eye-striking came out. The RX fits the bill for me perfectly.