Looking at a 2005 Auto for $14999 w/ 32000 miles
 

First post here, hope this is in the right place? I've been a long time reader and potential buyer. I have this one in my garage right now on an overnight drive. Granted it is an Automatic but, it is still an 8, in my price range, and within 200 miles of where I live.

Any negatives? It drives great, sounds great, all the stuff you all know. Anyone think this is bad deal, or something else I should consider?

Bringing it back to the dealer in tomorrow and plan on going for it, just wanted to run it by the crew here on the forums.

BTW I live is San Angelo, TX.

I think you can get a better deal. Is it a GT? If it's a base auto with the 16'' wheels that's not a good deal at all, and you really don't want one of those anyway.

Are you considering the auto just because of the price? You could find a MT without spending more. The auto 8 has many more disadvantages than just the fact that it's an auto, it has less power, more engine problems, a lower redline, and other things. I don't recommend going with the auto unless you have a really good reason not to get the MT.

Thanks for the fast reply. I have no other reason to pick up the Auto other than pricing and location. I've driven both, but haven't felt an enormous difference in power. But future mechanical problems would push me away from the auto.

You probably didn't feel a difference in power because the auto actually has a bit more torque, but it has significantly less power.

If I were you, I'd wait for something better to come along. Pricing and location are not good reasons to get the auto over the MT. I know it's hard to wait, but consider how long you will have the car once you buy it. You don't want any regrets down the road.

Waiting is difficult. I have been looking for a few years now and I go back and forth, then back and forth, then back. Taking this one home, I had that "tada" feeling, like it just belongs. But, I would enjoy either. The sound, the handling. Got a question about handling, during my driving sessions with it when I take hard corners the rear feels like the outside rear tire rolls and the rim hits. That's what it sounds like, it's not whats actually happening, I was thinking it was the DSC? I don't know...

Not sure what that would be, but it doesn't sound normal to me. If the DSC is kicking in, a light will come on on the dash.

Don't do it. If you are buying an rx8, buy a manual. Or it is not worth it.

IF you can drive a Manual, then that is the type you should get. your only punishing your self with a Auto.

btw that is just my opinion. gl though.

Well, the sound kicks in at the point when the car would start approaching the edge of traction and yaw to the outside.

As for which to get...MT is preferred, but after driving the auto all night I can't say I wouldn't enjoy it. I could be simply rationalizing or justifying, I'm not sure.

BTW, I can drive MT and do enjoy it. I currently drive a mazda 3 hatch, lowered with wheels but want to make the jump to sport/rear drive.

I think that you're rationalizing, because you can have the auto now and you'd have to wait for a MT.

This is a big purchase, and you're going to have to live with your decision for a long time. Make sure that you are getting what you really want, instead of just settling for what you can get right now. I'm sure that the auto is fun and that you'd enjoy it, but make sure you won't regret not getting the MT before you sign anything.

Well, thanks for the dose of reality. I will have to try and sleep with all of this on my mind, but in the end I feel you are all right. The manual is worth the wait, and HP. Only time will tell if I was strong enough to over come the impulsive "must get now" feelings. It's tough, I've been waiting for a long time and to be so close. In the end, I have to ask what will be better down the road.

Thanks again for the clarity. I will report back with the what happens.

If anyone knows of anyone selling a MT in Austin, Dallas, or San Antonio; in good shape and reasonable price let me know.

i would definitely get the manual.

besides, from what i've seen, a 05 auto with 30k+ miles should be going for under 12k.

The manual is not only worth waiting for, the HP, the respect,... but it comes down to driver satisfaction. Going from 30mph-70 in 3rd and rippin it into 4th... there's just nothing else like it. I know it's hard waiting for the perfect car, shit, I waited 7 months before I found the perfect 8 for me :) Make the right choice later, instead of the wrong choice now...

going from 0-55 in first is an interesting feeling as well

Manual 0-60 - 5.9 seconds

04-05 Auto 0-60 7.8-9 seconds.

Auto + no torque = subpar acceleration so to the inability to launch within the powerband.

If it suits your needs, I would recommend an MT.

I also would go with the MT it is alot more fun yes it's all fun now becasue it's new but in the long run after a month or so u will kick yourself for not getting the MT

need i remind you, on an mt 3rd gear tops out at 91...downshifting into 2nd at 40 feels GREAT

The majority of people who settle for an auto, for whatever reason, end up regretting it. Get the 6 MT the first time. Be careful what you buy. If the car has been owned by an enthusiast and maintained properly you shouldn't have any problems. But if some hack owned it and just treated it like any other car, you could be buying trouble. Read the "Stickies" and as much of this forum as you can. Knowledge is power. Also, $15K is too much for that car IMHO. Better deals are out there. Do not trust anything dealerships or salesmen tell you.

there's no need for you to feel pressured into buying this one. trust me, you're in the driver's seat (pun intended) on this deal. you're looking to buy a RWD sports car going into winter in a terrible economy. people are looking to give all kinds of deals and there are plenty out there to choose from.

don't settle on an AT if you aren't specifically looking to specifically buy an AT b/c you don't have a left leg. check out the FS threads and there might even be some in your area that you can buy from a forum member. just don't impulse buy on this one - you really are in control of this deal.

So would I be banded for life for buying it anyway? They are working the money stuff over the weekend, but I get to drive it till monday and I just love it. I can drive it hard and it loves it, or I can keep it civil. I may end up regretting the auto down the road, but I I think this one works for now.

They can down ALOT on the price, I'll have final numbers, but after calculating the payment it is somewhere between 12500 and 13000. Thanks for the advice. If I end up kicking myself, I will be the first to repost with a big "You told me so".

One thing i've noticed is how much more fun this car is to drive than any other. I'm actually going out with a couple of friends with new crotch rockets for a drive today. It's just fun.

I'll post pics and update my profile when the deal is complete.

Personally, I'm not going to give you a hard time for buying an auto if you buy one. But as long as you haven't bought it yet, I'm going to continue to STRONGLY recommend waiting for a MT, especially since that's what you really want in the first place.

I think that there's a rule here about not bashing people with autos, but it came about for a reason. Many 8 owners with MT do look down on the auto, I'm afraid.

Good decision - go with your gut and have no regrets!

Congrats!

S

ive never regretted owning an auto. its different for other people, but i find that i dont need to be constantly shifting to enjoy my car, and when i want to be shifting, i pop it into tiptronic and "shift." you still have all the looks, all the handling, and all the fun.

and btw, the fun you're talking about.... that's the standard issue "zoom-zoom" kicking in.

Well thanks for the love....everyone. And I was gonna use Zoom Zoom, but wasn't sure if that would get me flamed....lol Anyway, I am beginning to feel the same way. I can shift when I want, if I want, or just sit back and enjoy a nice drive on the freeway. Sure I may get burnt in a straight line, but that's not the soul of this car anyway. It's the sound, the connection to the road, the ability to through it around and it takes it with a smile.

outside...
http://gallery.me.com/nbelgard/10003...40x480/web.jpg
http://gallery.me.com/nbelgard/10003...40x480/web.jpg
http://gallery.me.com/nbelgard/10003...40x480/web.jpg

It's cold, well relatively for Texas...40's, so she's smoking at startup...