motor

I'm sure everyone will be in agreement on this topic though if it has already been batted around just point me to the thread if you would be so kind....


A lot of cars are out now that offer auto transmissions with a manual shift option, the purpose of which is to allow the driver to shift the car much like they could with a manual.

Do you feel the auto shift feature offered in the rx-8 allows one to drive the car like a manual or close to one? To me it seems like an auto with a shift feature still is not a manual/clutch shift setup. Maybe owners of the automatic may feel they get a 80 to 90% feeling of driving a manual shfit model due to the way it is setup in a 2006 rx-8.


Also, since the rx-8 now offers the paddle shifting on the steering wheel do you feel that enhances the 'manual shift' feel of driving compared to using the automatic stick to shift in a manual mode.

Ike

The RX-8 is still a slushbox whether it has 4 or 6 speeds. Most DSG and SMG type gearboxes aren't as good as a manual when it comes to feel, so the RX-8 most certainly isn't even close.

saturn

The only thing you "feel" when driving an automatic is the feeling of mashing down the pedal and going forward. I do this all the time. I especially like to floor it when navigating parking lots and the like. And this feels pretty nice, I must say. That is all.

mysql101

The 6 speed auto is an improvement on the 4 speed, but it's not going to match the manual.

It sounds like you're trying to justify it, but that's just not going to happen.


btw, I have a friend who bought a new GTO. Automatic. Her husband is convinced the automatic makes it superior to manual since it can shift faster. heh heh heh.

JRichter

If the shifter is rubbery and the clutch engagement is poor, or it just a horrible manual shift by design, I can see how this is true...

Unless I was shopping for a F430 paddle shift or maybe a VW/Audi DSG trans. I wouldn't consider it.

EDIT: how did "seq" get in there?

Ike

The DSG isn't a sequential tranny.

R888

Auto sucks! Big time!

I know cuz I got one..

dmc27

You already know the answer. The real question is this: will you ever forgive yourself if you buy the AT?

JRichter

My bad, I don't remember typing that...

dmc27

Boozin for breakfast? Why not - It's a holiday weekend!!

GulfCoast

I haven't driven a new auto, but I test-drove an older auto. It was very poor, but not simply because it was auto: the horsepower was very weak and the low-end torque was nearly non-existent. When I drove a manual, the feeling was far different and superior.

My manual 2004 is the first manual I've owned in years. I've really enjoyed it.

There are cars I'd consider an automatic, but not the 8.

By the way, I considered a GTO before I bought the 8. I tested a 2004 with automatic, but the car was too heavy for the 350-hp engine. I didn't test the 2005 with 400 horses, which I expect would have been much better.

RazzyBRX-8

Manual. Hands down. I haven't read on the 2006 autos but isnt the redline 7500 still?

You haven't lived until you've taken an RX-8 to 9,000.

JRichter

Most definately!!

PerformRX-8

I think everyone on the forum are sick and tired of thse "MT vs AT" threads, "or which is faster?", "is it the same thing having a manumatic?" they are as repetitive and mind blowing as the threads about which oil to use... just be happy with what you have, if not go out and buy another car.....

Clavius

Its not really close but gives you the impression your driving a manual. In normal Auto mode the 8 is just slow but great for city driving since you dont really need that extra boost in speed. Now in Trip Auto mode on the highway you notice the difference right away atleast I have. I usualy try to keep my rev's around 3-5k and if I need pick up to pass I notice in those rev ranges give me that pick up right away.

Do I regret my Rx-8 Auto purchase not really the price was right and that damn rotary noise got me. Just wish I realized my 04 only had frigging 4 gears instead of the 6 gears like the Rx-8 I first test drove (my baby I bought was in the sales room floor and unable to be driven right away. I did drive it before signing but didnt slap her in trip auto). But whateva she's mine now, I'd say go for manual if you know how to drive one (I dont -cry-).

motor

Pointed noted PerformRX-8, maybe it would have been better to direct the question to drivers that have the automatic and also know how to drive a stick shift. Not attempting to make the discussion a 'this or that is better' option. Was just looking for input from individuals that have the automatic to see, now that they have owened them for awhile, how much they enjoy having it.

It can be hard to tell in short demo drives if one would be happy with a automatic with paddle shift on the wheel.

Clavius -
thanks for your input. Sorry they did not tell you about the differnece between the 04 & 05 automatic models. I did not learn the difference until I signed up on this site and others told me. Sometimes the dealer sales persons just do not know or maybe do not care so long as they make a sale it seems

daisuke

paddle shifting is fun as a novelty, I drove my dad's citroen with a DSG gearbox and I enjoyed it for a while, but the cons far outweigh the pros, I actually preffer a paddleshifting automatic to a paddle shifting DSG because it's more predictable and the gearchange is smooth. In fact, the only car I would ever buy with a DSG would be a ferrari, and I doubt that will ever happen.

I don't like the paddles mounted on the front of the steering wheel, behind it would be "more fun", but a manual is MORE FUN .

That said, I own a manual car and my 8 will be manual when I get it, I want to take it to autocross and learn to do heel-toe and the like so I can powerslide and have loads of fun, and you can't really do that in an auto. Autos are comfy for stop and go traffic, but there isn't any where I live... and I'm very close to highway 1 and big sur

bbtheory

I think the real question here has nothing to do with auto vs. manual as far as a "which is better?" comparison, its funny how everyone just starts trashing the auto and not answering the question. I test drove both the auto and the 6 speed when I bought my 8, and the question really seems to be more does the auto in the RX-8 compare at all to the Toyota MR2 Spyder sequential gearbox or the DSG in the new GTI, and the short answer is a simple no. The automatic transmission in the 8 is simply an automatic gearbox with manual controls. The shifts are not quick like the Toyota or VW, nor has Mazda implied that they have implemented any special technologies to make them faster... the 6 speed auto on 06 models is certainly an improvement over the 4 speed auto in previous models, but it does nothing to bring the auto closer to the driving experience of a manual transmission.

motor

bbtheory said -"the question really seems to be more does the auto in the RX-8 compare at all to the Toyota MR2 Spyder sequential gearbox or the DSG in the new GTI, and the short answer is a simple no. The automatic transmission in the 8 is simply an automatic gearbox with manual controls. The shifts are not quick like the Toyota or VW, nor has Mazda implied that they have implemented any special technologies to make them faster... "

I can see I have a lot to learn. Don't know enough to yet have realized that some cars out now days have such 'developed' automatic 'manual mode' gear shifting. Good to know, now I want to test drive a toyota mr2 spyder just to see what it will be like though believe they stopped selling them a while back.

thanks for the input bbtheory

tjbourgoyne

Motor, can you drive a manual?

Ike

If you want to drive the best auto on the market go drive a GTI.

Ike

The DSG is about as smooth as it gets... It's also only found in VAG cars and it's very different from the Sensodrive you're reffering to.

bbtheory

I would second that, although who the hell wants to drive a GTI? Bo-ring )

Seriously, the GTI is a nice car, but I see so many every day... But the DSG is the best "manu-matic", or whatever you want to call it, on the market with the exception of exotics.

I learned to drive stick with my 8 and I love it. Learning was easy.

motor

my old 1980 rx-7 was a manual and answer is yes. if the question is 'if one can drive a manual then why would you get an auto?' then my answer is I found it interesting to drive a car with paddle shift on the wheel. Guess I do not get out much since this was a first for me.

My thinking is if a auto with paddle shift gives one the feel of a manual then you get the benefit of an auto along with the ability to shift at the wheel.

based on post rec'd I guess most feel that the auto/paddle shifting is nice but does not replace (or should I say 'mirror') a manual setup only.

dmc27

^That sums it up well enough. Think of it this way: If there was no noticeable difference, why would any of us have MT?