Calling all AT
Bummed, but bring on OU!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 1
From: Charleston, SC
Originally Posted by tuj
left foot activity --don't need it
clutch engagement point --don't need it
the feel of lauching a car --a AT with some torque gives awesome launch feel for me
heel-toe shifting -don't need it
the motion of gear selection in a patter, particularly an H -- don't need it
the ability to skip gears --the 8's AT can effectively do this, ie 4 to 2 without 3rd engaging
the ability/requirement to rev-match yourself --the AT 8 can do this easily
the drop of the hand to quickly move the shifter --have this if I want it
the feel and the vibration and force of the shifter as it moves through the linkage --don't need it
clutch engagement point --don't need it
the feel of lauching a car --a AT with some torque gives awesome launch feel for me
heel-toe shifting -don't need it
the motion of gear selection in a patter, particularly an H -- don't need it
the ability to skip gears --the 8's AT can effectively do this, ie 4 to 2 without 3rd engaging
the ability/requirement to rev-match yourself --the AT 8 can do this easily
the drop of the hand to quickly move the shifter --have this if I want it
the feel and the vibration and force of the shifter as it moves through the linkage --don't need it
So in conclusion, your idea of the true driving experience is yours, mine is mine, and everyone's is different.
You mean the lugging at higher gears/low speeds? Yeah I have no clue why the heck an AUTOMATIC RX-8 would do that, and it's one of my biggest gripes with mine. And I've yet to find an answer to why it does this either. I'm pretty much forced to drive mine in the steptronic mode and keep it in 2nd all the time in the city because of that stupid lugging. Sometimes the lugging gets extremely bad, where the car really feels like it's just one jerk away from dying. I mentioned it to the dealer once and all I got was "duuuuuuuuuh, it's probably just in too high of a gear". This ain't a manual buddy, it's an automatic.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Vertigo-1
I'm just curious...what exactly are the reasons you feel the manual is a more "involving" driving experience? I'll give you the extra HP, 2 gears, 1800 extra RPMs and being able to do high RPM launches and burnouts 
, but beyond that, I think there's very little the AT concedes once in the manual mode as far as "involving" is concerned.
, but beyond that, I think there's very little the AT concedes once in the manual mode as far as "involving" is concerned.I have an A/T for three weeks, GT pakage 05 brand new, and got it for $25,000 on the road which was 7.500 off from sticker,,,,, and the first thing i need that night was burn out, who said that a/t can't do burn out? you can do burn out donnuts and everything...
Firin' on no cylinders
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Bangkok, Thailand
Well, in the traffic here, it's fine. But, the gearing and response of the transmission really does not suit a sports car.
Being only 4 gears, shifting up leaves you at a relatively low RPM on the next gear, and although the engine does have slightly more torque low down, it's not as punchy as it could be, so overall feeling is somewhat underwhelming.
Shifting down while cruising to get a little extra oomph can be problematic, as the box won't let you downshift if you are past a certain speed, to avoid the engine overreving in the lower gear, presumably. Still, the limitation is very conservative.
The sequential shift mode is fun and gives you somewhat more control, but there is quite a lag between your command and the actual gear change
I'm sure the second two things I mentioned there could be improved with a bit of reworking of the transmission controller, but does anyone know how to do this?
I still don't understand why I went for an AT, though, however embarassing that sounds :p I learnt to drive on stick shifts and have only driven those regularly till now, and sure, my left leg does appreciate the lack of work.
Still, despite those flaws, it is still a heck of a fun car to drive, and a wonder of aesthetics and engineering
Of course, I have no idea how the new 6-gear automatic compares, but it will certainly resolve the gearing problem.
Being only 4 gears, shifting up leaves you at a relatively low RPM on the next gear, and although the engine does have slightly more torque low down, it's not as punchy as it could be, so overall feeling is somewhat underwhelming.
Shifting down while cruising to get a little extra oomph can be problematic, as the box won't let you downshift if you are past a certain speed, to avoid the engine overreving in the lower gear, presumably. Still, the limitation is very conservative.
The sequential shift mode is fun and gives you somewhat more control, but there is quite a lag between your command and the actual gear change
I'm sure the second two things I mentioned there could be improved with a bit of reworking of the transmission controller, but does anyone know how to do this?
I still don't understand why I went for an AT, though, however embarassing that sounds :p I learnt to drive on stick shifts and have only driven those regularly till now, and sure, my left leg does appreciate the lack of work.
Still, despite those flaws, it is still a heck of a fun car to drive, and a wonder of aesthetics and engineering
Of course, I have no idea how the new 6-gear automatic compares, but it will certainly resolve the gearing problem.
Livn Hog Wild
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville, AR
I got a used O4 AT last June, and have loved it ever since. But the only reason that I went with the AT, besides the good price, was so my wife could drive it. But as it turned out she hates the car with a passion, wont drive it ever. So my next purchase will be a MT. Drove a stick for 10 years before I got an SUV a few years back. The car is fun in manual shift mode, but a little lazy shifting up or down.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Quad-Cities
Originally Posted by Arky8
I got a used O4 AT last June, and have loved it ever since. But the only reason that I went with the AT, besides the good price, was so my wife could drive it. But as it turned out she hates the car with a passion, wont drive it ever. So my next purchase will be a MT. Drove a stick for 10 years before I got an SUV a few years back. The car is fun in manual shift mode, but a little lazy shifting up or down.
Livn Hog Wild
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville, AR
My wife hates the car because, according to her, it is cramped, noisy, and rough riding. Although, her hate is subsiding sinse I got new tires and the noise and ride are much better, but she still wont drive it, which is ok by me.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
First off I'd like to apologize for bringing back a dead thread.
Attention all Auto Rx-8 owners. I hardly deem the Auto Rx-8 a sports car anymore. My Auto Rx-8, with air intake and Greddy SP2 exhaust, ran a 17.2 at the track last friday.
My friends 02 Saturn ran a 16.4
Attention all Auto Rx-8 owners. I hardly deem the Auto Rx-8 a sports car anymore. My Auto Rx-8, with air intake and Greddy SP2 exhaust, ran a 17.2 at the track last friday.
My friends 02 Saturn ran a 16.4
Shakezula, the Mic Rula
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,466
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, VA
Originally Posted by Your Broken SE3P
First off I'd like to apologize for bringing back a dead thread.
Attention all Auto Rx-8 owners. I hardly deem the Auto Rx-8 a sports car anymore. My Auto Rx-8, with air intake and Greddy SP2 exhaust, ran a 17.2 at the track last friday.
My friends 02 Saturn ran a 16.4
Attention all Auto Rx-8 owners. I hardly deem the Auto Rx-8 a sports car anymore. My Auto Rx-8, with air intake and Greddy SP2 exhaust, ran a 17.2 at the track last friday.
My friends 02 Saturn ran a 16.4
BTW, I have much more fun around the twisties in my car than I do trying to drag from street light to street light.
Go buy a Mustang.
Yeah, im going to hell ...
Club Marbles Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,252
Likes: 0
From: DFW, TX
"I think many experts will tell you, and I think this is something not many super car owners will admit, but I will admit, I think the Mazda's got the best gearbox of almost any car produced. It's extremely short, you never miss a gear. It's extremely predictable. Click click click. Click click click. And the fact that you use it a lot makes it enjoyable. You feel connected to the car." - Leno
Zoom, Click, Zoom, Click
Zoom, Click, Zoom, Click
