Sup all. I was really interested in buying an RX-8. Might get it used. Not sure. Anyways, for this specific car, would stick be best? I'm not really a manual-type person, I'd rather go with auto- but is there a difference in driving auto from stick?

Any auto RX-8 users in here? BTW..

I was wondering..
Thanks..

 

Manual is the only way to go if you want to experience a real rx8

 

Hm.. What? Aw.. Is driving auto really that bad on 8's..?

lol.. Real..

 

well... you'll definitely feel the difference.

 

not really

but you'll hear that alot.

-------------------

2 words:

Test Drive

That's the only way to find out.

 

Your right. I'll do that.
I'm also thinking the new 6 speed auto has more hp than the 4 speed. Hmm..

 

i got an auto.. and i can tell u manual is just better... depends on what u need the car 4 ofcourse.. but 6spd vs 4spd... cmoonnnnnn not even a discussion.

 

Id get an auto if youre looking for a daily to drive around a city...

 

i'd... get another car if i had to go back in an auto...i need a beater anyway.

 

If you get a manual you will be lyke omg wtf bbq why was I ever an auto n00blar?

 

Being a stick owner myself, I can only say that this car actually penalizes you with lower horse power if you get the auto. Test drive and and do what's best for you and go from there. Good luck.

 

I own the Auto and I like the Auto soley because for my driving it suites my needs. About 90% of my driving is city rarely (sadly) do I hit the highway so the constant shifting would of been a pain in my *** (that and I dont know how to drive stick YET!). Primarily though I have been driving in the triptronic mode and I love it and if anything consider it practice when I wish to flip to a full manual. Alone you wont notice the power difference but line up with a Manual and go all out you'll notice the pull they have with that additional 2k redline.

You'll always get the bashing of Manual > Auto all the time when this is brought up. As someone else said test drive them both, if you know how to drive a Manual I'd strongly suggest it why dumb yourself down as I once heard a friend say.

Oh also if your seriously thinking of the Rx-8 look through our board some more and try to learn more than I did before I bought mine lol.. Still kicking myself on not knowing a few things before signing on the dotted line.

 

I drive auto, and its 6 speed. I hardly use 5th and 6th gear, because i can top over 100mph in fourth. Except if i want to keep my exhaust noise low, than i leave it in 5th or 6th gear. Driving slow that is! You still get power, only thing you cant redline to 9000 rpm,s on an auto, its cut off the gas so you dont damage your transmission. Difference a little less power than a manual not much, if you have mods. And dont need a clutch. Use paddle shifters instead, or down where the parking brake is, can shift gears there to.

 

Whats an auto??????

 

I never had a car that was a stick. I have practice on friends cars before but I am not that great at driving yet. I am looking to get the 8 by the end of the year. When i read all the differents on the auto and manual RX-8, i knew i had to get the manual. It would be a daily driver but also a car i take out and maybe tune up abit. I know i will have some tough times learning but it will be worth it.

BTW i saw someone post up about a forum that is all about manual and how to drive them. Does anyone have a link to that place.

 

The optional transmission offered on the Corvette C6 Porsche 911, Ferrari F430 and Nissan 350Z among others.

The advantages of an automatic: no clutch to replace, no gearbox rattle, no throwout bearing problems, no stripped synchronizers, one less pedal to stomp on, don't need short-throw shifter, 1 more EPA MPG highway.

 

If you are going to get an auto, get on 06 or 07. Has 212 hp I think and is 6 port instead of 4 with 197 hp as well as 2 oil coolers and a less problems (overheating). But, I think you should take the time and learn to drive stick as it really is so much fun.

 

6 speed manual with this car

 

Drive both, then decide. But keep in mind your daily driving route. If you're sitting in stop and go traffic a lot, have to go through a lot of traffic lights that always seem to be red and are only 100 ft apart, etc, the auto might be a better choice.

 

 

I own an 06 AT. I test drove the MT 8 and it was nice, but realized that I would be kicking myself 3 months down the road when i was stuck in traffic, and in Miami, there is traffic just about all day every day! I have had 4 MT cars in the past...will buy one again if it's A) my second car or B) I live in Pasco County FL, population 5000. I also don't plan on trying to take anyone off the line, or run my car in a "track".

The AT's paddle shifters on the sterring wheel are great, ala formula 1 cars, and are very responsive. Nascar is actually thinking of switching their cars to paddle shifting as well and losing the clutch all together.

 

But, not as fun, don't feel like you are "a part" of the car, not as fast, not as high of a redline, etc... I mean the list goes on. 6 speed is where it's at. I live in Atlanta and the traffic sucks here and yet it was a no brainer for me.

 

The "paddle shifting" (if you want ot call it that) in the 8 is totally different from F1 cars or the ones Nascar is thinking of adopting...

 

Erm I believe he knew that lol.. just alot of people when mentioning "Paddle Shifters" think F1 right away. Hell last week I had a kid look at my car and say "Damn dog you got dem F1 paddles hot ****.." yeah I learned my lesson never dry my car in the parkinglot.

 

I personally HATE Automatic transmissions. Driving is supposed to be fun, but in an Auto I find it extremely boring. Nothing to do but just sit there. With a manual, you have full control of the engine, you get the 9000 RPM redline (and nothing is more exhilarating than the car between 6k and 9k....soooo much fun), and the gearbox in the RX8 is one of the best on the market (including exotics. Mazda makes one of the best stock manual gearboxes out there).

The extra 20+ horse power does make a difference. No difference at start up, but at higher RPM's the manual is a crapload more fun.

If you're worried about shifting, I've found you really don't need to shift that much. While I don't recommend it, the car is perfectly happy in 3rd gear at about 5,000 RPM and 45 MPH. If you wish, you can downshift into 4th, 5th or 6th, but it's really up to you (the engine feels the same at any RPM. The only difference is the roar of the engine.)

My vote? Go for the MANUAL! You won't regret it.