do we get automatic a/c here in the states? or just the conventional type? dealer doesn't seem to know.

 

by automatic a/c, i'm assuming you automatic climate control. on the base model, and maybe the sport, it will probably the typical a/c controls. more than likely on the touring and almost definatly on the grand touring you will get automatic climate control. I don't have any thing in writing that confirms this, but the stereo,and ac controls are almost identical to the Mazda 6, and it has auto climate control standard on the v6 model.

 

Well, what should and shouldn't be included as standard and in the different option packages has little relation to what MAZDA USA has done with other models or in the case of the RX-8, other countries. For example, see http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2173
thread about the 6-disc CD changer. Logic seems in short supply at the Product Planning Department.