Yikes! What's so special about the 8's transmission that makes it that high? Flush in my wife's Camry was in the $100 to $150 range. (It was flush, not just change.)

It's a little disingenuous to cite an excessive cost for AT fluid change, but not match it up to typical dealer cost for clutch replacement.

I'm not so sure about AT cars being harder on brakes. It's not like AT drivers have the balls to go fast enough to need to brake that hard.

I agree that AT vs MT really a matter of choice, not operating cost, and we should not think any the less of either side.

Ken

Price differences are clearly different elsewhere in the country. I used non-dealer prices on both of comparisons. I wasn't using dealer prices (parts OR labor) since that varies even more wildly, and are usually completely absurd across the board. Yes, a dealer clutch job will be that high, in part because the dealer clutch parts themselves are ~$900. Vs $375 from BHR, $360 from Amazon, etc...

I wouldn't use a dealer AT flush price either, but the smaller shops still charge a ton for those.

I didn't "try" to compare prices, I actually did. Your hoice if you want to find even more crazy expensive options to compare :) I guess perhaps AT people are more likely to pay to have someone do the work, MT people are more likely to do the work themselves? That would account for a huge price difference that can't be compared at all.

And you might want to re-read the last line of my prior post :) I'm not arguing against the AT. I'm just arguing against the price argument you gave, since people shouldn't be misinformed.

If someone is dumb enough to go to a dealer for a clutch job they probably shouldn't be driving at all... Just saying...

I happen to have official industry repair times available for 3+ decades of nearly every US-spec car out there covering all operations published by the manufacturers. I am actually working on data analysis of one of the 3 sets of repair times (that I have at my disposal) currently.

I just looked up the official repair time for replacing the clutch assembly for a 2005 RX-8. It assumes a lift, tools, etc... 3.3 hours.

$90 per hour x 3.3 hours = $300.

And there are mechanics out there that will be able to do it even faster.

So yes, it's entirely possible :)

And yes, if it's possible to obtain a price for a given service or part, then as long as there are no quality concerns, I am inclined to use that price for comparison, expecting that people are intelligent enough to shop around. I may be incorrect in that expectation, but I can't fault my reasoning for their lack of research.

It's a clutch job.... There is nothing special about it compared to any other manual car. I never called you dumb or stupid I also never claimed to be smart or brag about it. Learn to comprehend what you read before you get "offended". ;)

An OMP replacement isn't something most corner shops could be expected to be able to do. It's a part unique to a handful of cars from 1 manufacturer that is heavily linked into the ECU.

The clutch is just a mechanical part that is shared in common with a huge range of other cars in basic design, and even exactly shared with several other models across more than 1 make.

Generally, it's a less-bright option to take basic jobs like that to a dealer, because you will pay far more without any additional gain. Everyone has their own financial situation though, so if someone can afford the higher prices the dealer will screw them for, so be it.

Exactly my point.

@ferandoVenezuela: It is unfortunate that it appears that the attitudes on this site are the organization. A lot of folks here think being a wise guy is cool some how. It can never get the organization you search for because of the run a way attitudes here..sad.:(

Fernando isn't here any more. After a few reasonable posts like the one that started this thread, he went over the line and got banned. I forget exactly what happened, but I remember that I thought the ban was well justified.

BTW - apologies if I offended you with my crack about automatics and brakes. I was actually trying to see if one of the protagonists in this thread would look up from his flat rate books long enough to spot a clear violation of forum rules.

Please stick around...I've been enjoying your posts.

Ken

He would over-react to people disagreeing with him, spewing heavily insulting language at anyone within reach. I spoke with him on several occasions that apparently seemed to get him to stop each time, and I finally had enough and gave him an infraction over it, to which he then replied to my PM spewing insults, then replied to another mod in public spewing insults. The outcome was pretty unavoidable as he was deliberately choosing to not be a part of the community. We just made his decision irreversible.

I read it, but I didn't feel any hostility there, which is a key part of the rule you refer to :)

I've seen enough of your posts over the years that hostility from you would be a pretty decent shock.

Just guessing, but I wouold guess that he got banned because he stood up to some of the pets on this site. I call them what they are bullys trying to be men with runnaway attitudes that do not support wat this site should be and not a plate form for blustering personalitys that only serve to demonstrate malcontent attitudes.

sweatr, please stand by for another PM from me before you post again...

Not at all. RI's post jogged my memory. Fernando turned into an absolute jackass. Banning him was definitely a Good Thing.

Yeah, there are some strong-opinioned people on this site, and too many of us are class clown wannabes, but overall it's a really cool and knowledgable group.

I don't understand how anyone can really be a bully in an on line forum. It's not like we're physically together on a school bus where someone can stomp your lunch.

Ken

I think sweatr understands the forum a bit better after our last discussion.

That particular line of discussion can drop.

He forgot #5 Is it fun....Yes:).

Hi, I'am going to get an RX-8 around next month. I will be going for S2 AT, because it's hard to find the S2 MT in my country (also the traffic is getting worse here). My question is, how to get that lock-up converter for S2 AT RX8? Is it something like custom torque converter from Level10? How much does it cost for the lock-up TC?

Thanks.

Just picked up a 2005 with AT, are there any major things in need to look out for on the 2005 AT? Seems to shift fine in manual mode, only thing I notice is when I put it in gear there is a slight lag before it engages, probably normal, but definitely slightly more than his current BMW Z4

If you don't know when the trans fluid was last serviced, I'd change it. Might get rid of that lag for you.

that is on the list, just far down the list, couple of more pressing issues first!! Also, car only has 63000 miles so the fluid should not really be that bad

63000 miles sounds like a good time to change it. Also it's 13 years old ;)