Anyone unhappy with automatic?
 

I'm just itching to get this RX-8 beauty but do have a few concerns. But the concerns echoes what has already been discussed extensively, such as flooding, gas mileage, automatic ...

Anyways, for those owners out there with automatic, I got a few questions for ya.

First, I'm really hesitant about the whole 4-speed thing, I have a V6 Accord now (4sp-auto), and although it has 200hp, it just doesn't feel like 200hp. Its smooth and all. The 8 actually got less hp, but of course, much lighter car, should I be waiting for a 5-sp version?

Yes, I MUST get automatic. My wife is a bad enough driver with auto, having her on the road with a manual will be a menace to society.

And so far, I havn't found any numbers for the 0-60 for the auto. Not that I do drag races or anything, but would like do compare it with some other similar powered cars. Anyone know?

I'm in no hurry to buy the car, but at the very least, I'll be waiting it out for data on the 2005 model. I'm just hoping for a tranny change but I doubt that.

Basically any complaints with the auto? I know it still handles great but anyone out there left with some empty spot? Leaving something to be desired?

Jack

If you want to spend 30k or so on a fast car ONLY then this car isn't it.. there are much faster cars out there. If you want a nice ride, great handling, nice interiors, this is the car.. regardless of Auto or Manual. Because at 238 it's still not going to be some blazing speed where you're going to take out an S2000 or something.

Here's what I can tell you...

I came from a 2003 Acura 3.2TL Type-S. On straight line performance, my auto RX-8 could not even compare to the Acura. That Acura would smoke the Mazda.

However, you have to decide if straight line performance is the most important thing. If it is, then the auto RX-8 may not be the right choice.

However, what my auto lacks in straight line speed more than makes up for it with it's handling. My Acura (even with mods) could not keep up with the Mazda stock set-up.

Now, could my auto be faster? Absolutely.

But I didn't buy this car for "off the line quickness." Otherwise, I would have kept my Acura.

What I can tell you is I don't want to be quick off the line... because all the people staring and pointing wouldn't be able to see my 8! :D


BTW, what do you mean "lighter car"? At 3000 lbs or so, the RX-8 isn't really light...

lets debate this. I weighed mine at 2925, lets for the sake of argument say 3000 lbs.

Show me another RWD 4 door car with seating for 4 that weighs less than the rx-8 that has = or > HP.

Let me save you troube, there is none. Even the anemic IS300 is 250 lbs more.

I'm not comparing it to other cars. The "heritage" of the RX model is a "sports car." At 3000 lbs., that's pretty heavy. As I mentioned in my previous post, the Acura is about 3000 lbs. Granted it has 260hp but it moves... and it moves MUCH faster than the auto RX-8. That's all. What can you compare it with (what you have owned)?

BTW, you own a manual so why are you posting in a thread about automatics?

Hm...ok lets see.

350Z=250 lbs heavier
supra=400 lbs heavier
300ZX=500 lbs heavier

The acura is a FWD car and is not a sportscar. The only "sportscars" that are lighter are the following:

Elise
S2000
Miata
MR-spyder

Dont include FWD cars in this comparison.

and BTW, most any automatic V6 will kick the crap out of an automatic rotary, its no secret that auto transmissions require more torque and dont work great with rotaries.

first off. Thank you for protecting us from your wife! I know too many girls that are like that.. so thank you!

When I test drove the automatic I was still sold on the car. I ended up getting the manual but that was because I wanted to get a true feeling of being one with the car. The auto did feel like it was missing a wee bit. But the ride was still a blast!!!. My advice is go test driving!! Put it in the psuedo-manual mode and maybe you'll like it!

Good luck.. Thats all I can give you as I don;;t own the auto.

For God's sake Zerobrain, this thread is a question to automatic owners... Sorry jackyche that you have to read through this...

must you flame me? Should I call you names?

All you've done is hijack this thread addressed to automatic owners. I posted a response based upon MY experience as an automatic owner.

fine, but I did not resort to personal attacks. I was simply pointing out calling the rx8 "heavy" is wrong, its very light for what it is.

PS. Im not sure if you know this or not, but any of us have the right to respond to any thread on this forum.

I don't see anything wrong for him to post in this thread... he was asking people about the performance of Auto vs Manual for the 8... and Zero seems like he knows his stuff. This is an open forum the last time I checked.

I own a standard and an AT car, one is for fun, one is for casual driving. Ironically I drive the AT RX-8 more now only because it's more comfortable, and more fun to drive. But for speed, even a standard wouldn't save it from getting killed on the freeway to other "sports" cars. Even though this car shouldn't even be in the "sports" car category...ask your insurance company.

It's all a matter of preference.. you want a bit more HP, get Manual, if you don't care and you just want a nice ride to relax in, AT is just fine.

I love my auto. I am usually a 6 speed guy, but I have a wife too! I think of the RX8 as the coolest, most unique sports sedan available rather than a pure sports car. That mindset allows me to really enjoy it without "regretting" the A/T. Besides, its still a pretty quick freeway flier and turns heads like crazy!

For reference, the 3.2TL Type S, which I think is a great car and did drive it, is more like 3500lbs.

With the gobs more torque it has, it should feel much faster no doubt! The reality is the performance of a TL is similar to the RX8.

Regardless of transmission, this is a great car.

Is that so.........??

My 20B twin turbo powered Cosmo comes standard as an Auto. Despite Mazda quoting a 14.1 second 1/4-mile. Some journo's borrowed it last year for a comparison story with the Toyota Soarer/SC400. They pulled off a 13.5 1/4-mile from my car & it was totally stock (except for 100 octane fuel to prevent ping) My auto Cosmo makes any V6 (NSX excepted) look plain stupid, most V8's unless they are Hi-Po versions are left trailing aswell.

Japanese journo's tested the Cosmo alongside the FD Rx-7 back in 1992. Manual RX-7 against Auto Cosmo = dead even until the first bend, then the sports car took over.

I love the auto in my Cosmo. It allows my wife to drive the car with ease, heaven forbid her on the road with a manual car. Also love the city driving ease of the auto too. Super smooth rotary engine through a silky smooth 4-speed auto box with power to burn makes me a happy rotorhead

It all depends on your needs. I commute Northen VA everyday in traffic that is a nightmare, for me to have a MANUAL would be hell on my legs. I did this in a SUPRA for a while, no fun. The auto has the best of both worlds- auto and trip tronic shifting. It's just awesome to choose between the two. I have room for my son. The HP differance is nothing to sweat. You can upgrade the catback and intake and get a little back. Later upgrade to a turbo or super charger, and guess what your wife can still grive it and have fun.

BAH! Did Baltimore-N.Va traffic a few times in worse... '90 Mustang 5.0 LX. Talk about a heavy clutch! I've done inner D.C. a few times in a '95 Nissan 200SX, did Orlando commutes for years in a Nissan Sentra SE and a Honda Prelude Si... and in the '90 'Stang when I go visit my parents (it's now my father's project car). I've done Japan and in particular Tokyo traffic in a Honda Ascot until I finally got my Familia. Japan traffic is of the type that a highway backs up 25-30km and takes hours to get through. And I tell you this... I hate my damn slush box, I want to go back to a real set of gears between me and the engine.

The wife situation I can completely understand... if that's how it is, then cool. For others... the clutch is NOT particularly heavy, so you can do it! If it's that tiring, neutral and clutch out anytime the car is stopped...if that's not enough... well hit the gym! :D :D :D (just kidding!)

Haha, the 20B is a monster, let me say I was refereing to the 1.3 liter rotary. The 3 rotor is just sick.

even the FD was 1 second slower in the 1/4 with an auto transmission. I'd kill to have a 20B, but it would be with a 5 speed in my FD, hehe.

Re: Anyone unhappy with automatic?
 

It's not likely for the 05 model year, but certainly by the 2006 model the RX-8 will have a 5 speed auto trans that will handle the high redline of the high-power engine - in other words, the 238 hp engine will have a 5 speed auto option. Also new by 2006 will be a 6 speed SMG semi-manual transmission.

Hope this info helps...

Regards,
Gordon

I bought my car for looks, handling, comfort, and four seats. The power was secondary and at times I would trade power for more MPG. I chose the AT primarily because too many years of keyboard, mouse, and MT have left my elbow tendons overworked.

The car is super-agile and is a blast to drive.

Here are some related threads:

Auto Drivers Info (Now all you Manual Types - No Flames!)
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=18082

RX8 - Automatic vs. Manual ? For U.S.
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=11322

I actually had a TL, although not the type S. I felt that car had a zip to it during acceleration but its bulk and weight really hampered its handling. When I had to get it serviced for a few days, the dealer gave me a RSX (not type S) as a loaner.

Now, I typically don't like to rev engines as i think they cause too much noise and eats up gas and can't be too good for the engine over the long haul (could be wrong). But when I had the RSX, and knowing it wasn't my car, man did I have fun with the tiptronic thing. My TL had tiptronic too but I used it like once very 2 months, but with the RSX, it was just so much more fun to drive that i used the tiptronic all the time.

Anyways, I'm getting off topic. Reading the other threads, I've noticed that someone mentioned the power curve between the MT and AT are identical below 7k rpm. That would certainly be a dream since I doubt I will rev the baby to 7k. Incidently, for those that are complaining about the MPG issue, are you guys complaining while reving that baby to redline at the same time? :)

The reason I'm asking how AT performance feels and not test driving it myself is because I'm sure it'll feel fine to me when test driving. It always does. I have NEVER been able to determine if a car is good or bad based on a 20min drive. Its always a month after its been in my garage that I start noticing annoyances.

But in reality, I'll prob get the car anyways regardless of the replies since I just love that styling soooo much. :D

Letme answer your original question. I havent taken my auto Rx8on to a track but I have timed it lots of times - along with the assistance of others. From 0 - 60 my Rx8 averages roughly 8.1 seconds - butthat is in tiptronic mode. It has ranged from 7.8 - 8.5 seconds. The onlytimes I got it at that 7.8 score was due to turning off everything and using tiptronic mode.Traction control and DSC were completely off---no radio on and no air conditioning. Even worse--I held the brakes and held the gas till it was at about 3000 rpm and thenlaunched. That is definitely not a smart thing to do but it didshave .1 or .2 secondsoff. So you should expect a 0 - 60 time of somewhere around 8 seconds in tiptronic and probably over 8.5 in regularautomatic. This is b/c in automatic the computer shifts at 7000 rpm instead of 7500 so the extra 500 rpm obviouslymakes a bit of a difference. An acquaintance of mine evenmade fun of these times and said he figured out where they get the number 8 from in nameof the car.

I am not so sure the guy was right who statedthat the power curve between the auto andmanual are the same below 7000. The manual is supposed to reach 60 in 5.9 seconds. Verybig difference from that and 8 I would say! I rememberthat when a salesman took me for a ride inthe stick Rx8 I was pushed back into my seat. That doesnt happen w/the automatic. I dont think they feel the same atall.

I love my auto, i just wish it had more power and another gear....if i was to make my purchase again, i'd still get the auto...orange county traffic is a nightmare...

IMHO ... 4-speed, 5-speed or 6-speed is up to you and how long you want to wait. I used to drive a '80 12A RX-7 and loved the rotary ... traded it in at 125,000 miles on a 323GT 4-door to "settle down" and have missed it ever since.

When I learned the 8 was coming, I knew I wanted one. I also knew it was originally announced to be manual shift only ... I was devastated as I have one of those wives too ;-)

Then I read where there was going to be an automatic afterall and with paddle-shifters no less. Compared to the old 12A ... there is no comparison. It's amazing what Mazda has accomplished with the 8. The technology is state-of-the-art ... not another car like it in the world.

As for me ... I couldn't wait any longer and I now drive with a smile everywhere I go. If they come out with a 5 or 6 speed auto in a couple of years and more power, I'm in ... in the meantime ... what an "auto"mobile.