Ok, left my rx8 notes folder at home and after demo rides at the harley shop I ran across a used 05 automatic (sorry I want an auto). Dark Gray in color, must be a base model (thinking 05 base was a Touring model back then), has 6,000 miles on it. A mazda dealer is just across the street almost so would have it taken over there to be check out of course before buying. Gray cloth interior, 4sp I'm sure. Failed to see if it has radio controls/cruise on the steering wheel (would hope so).

Now the bad news I'm thinking...
They would take my mx5 copper red, 2007 with 6,000 miles on her (touring model automatic, with serris radio and mud flaps) plus $2,500 cash from me (out the door).

KBB indicated the 05 auto should be worth $21,900 retail and mine worth $19,600 or so excellant trade-in.

Now, since I'm not at home, I believe a new left over 2007 manual would run $21,500 with the mazda rebates so not thinking an asking price of $21,900 for their 2005 auto (base model) rx8 is about $3,000 grand too much.

Any input would be appreciated. Only 6,000 miles on a 2005 would be nice I think and I like the color more then I thought I would...will hide dirt well I think

I understand the 2006 models are the 6-port and 6sp auto but I could live with a 4sp auto I believe.

So besides, trashing me for getting an auto plus a 4sp could a few of you offer support and a fair figure to come up with? I figure a swap car for car would be fair but sure they would not go for that.

Thanks, I give them $100 on a credit card to hold it for 24 hours (refundable).
Sunroof would be ok but in this model, rx8, I can live without one.

 

Trust me 100% here, you WILL regret getting an automatic later on. For some horribly dumb reason, the AT has 197 horsepower (for an 05), compared to 232hp in an MT. That's a HUGE difference. Really dumb move on Mazda's part, but that's how it is. There is absolutely no point in getting this car in AT, please do yourself a favor and search harder for a good deal on an MT.

 

I agree that one must really drive an 05 or 04 auto to ensure they understand just how much of a dog? sport cars they may be buying.

But having said that, it may still be possible to be happy with an auto if an auto is what someone wants. Though I would need to drive it around for some miles to be sure I could live with just how slow an auto would be on a rx8.

Very happy with the speed on my mx5 automatic though I understand they are different cars.

Besides, there are a few 04/05 automatic owners on the board that are happy with their rides and a few might even prefer the 4sp to the 6sp but yes....they are few I'm sure.

thanks for your input just the same.

my feeling is if the person buying it likes the auto and is willing to live with less hp then what the stick offers then that is what matters...well that and the price !

 

If the A/T is you, get the A/T. Most people on here will put down the A/T, because it's a four door sports car and should not have been made in a A/T. I have owned two Mazda A/T Rotaries (Out of the seven I've bought) and they are fine. I have a A/T because of two back surgeries, but wish I could drive the M/T. Glad Mazda did not forget us old, worn out guys. We want our Rotaries too!

 

Bought my 05 8 with 31k for $$22,500 and it was right under 27 000 after taxes. Hah. makes me cry

 

KBB is inflated.

 

i bought my 04 last year for $19k. It is a/t grand touring with all the fancy stuff (chrome rims). Id imagine an 05 would be around there now, but please dont get the a/t. Get an m/t so we can trade i'll give you $1k :x lol serious. The truth is the car is too slow in a straight line for a sports car, although it still does great on the curves.

 

I hear you saffrizzle. Getting pricing on a left over 07 gt manual so will wait and see. Doubt anyone will give me a good price on mx5 trade-in though so figure, unless I get a even trade (mx5 for 05 auto rx8), I won't be making a purchase today of any car thus keeping the mx5 for yet another day.

 

Those miatas sell a hell of a lot quicker than the rotary cars. Most dealerships would want to have a miata on the lot over the rx8. Use that as leverage. Don't take too little on your or pay too much for theirs. They want your car more than they want the one they have. 8 months ago I purchased an 04 with 10k miles for $18 and you can see by the sentiments just in this thread that the auto version will have less demand therefore should cost less, used.

 

Exactly what I was thinking. The dealer is drooling over swapping an 07 mx5 for an 05 8. Don't do it.

I'm no fan of AT sports cars, tho not so much that I can't see how they are necessary for some. Still, an 04 AT 8 is never a good choice - too many problems. 05 AT 8 is better, but if you really need an AT go for an 06.

Either way - they should be paying you to swap an 05 8 for an 07 mx5, regardless of the book values. The miata is a much easier sell for them. Plus the 8 has probably been sitting on their lot gathering dust. Do a vin check - you should be able to find out how long they've had the 8.

 

The AT is still worth it!

It's still not a bad car. Unless you plan on going to the track a lot or racing it around on a qaurter mile strip, then getting an AT isn't going to make a hell of a lot more difference than having the MT. The only thing that'll be different is having 2 more gears that you can go through.

I've never driven the MT version of the 8 so I don't really know how much faster it is, but I don't regret getting the AT, I still have an 8, and that's what makes me happy!

I wish I could say that passtheapthy was qouting Base HP to RWHP, but sadly those are the HP qoutes for the 8's two different trannies/engines.

Don't let someone on a car forum make the decisions for you, it's your car, you're paying for it, if you want an auto get it. Regaurdless if people will say you'll regret it or not - Just make sure get what you can afford!

 

I don't see a problem getting the AT, and I have driven manual for most of my life. The reason that I did not get the manual tranny was because I now have a wife who wants to share my ride. I could have taught her to drive manual, but she actually did not want to learn, so AT was the only choice I had.

I have 07 6 spd automatic GT, which I believe you can get some killer deals on the 07's right now, and I can't comment on how much I love the car. Though my crazy drving days are behind me, one time I did race was when a CLK AMG was tailgating me. I let the guy pass me and I began tailgating him, he tried to pull away and couldn't. There was nothing special that I did but just floor the pedal. It must have been the car's own performance.

I belive going 0 to 60 miles for 6 speed AT transmission is around 7.3 seconds. That's not fast. I think that's even slower than the Acura Integra that I had a long, long time ago. But funny thing is that is does not feel slow. It really is a blast to drive! I guess manual is more fun to drive, but in L.A., I think getting the AT was the rightful choice, not only to please wife, but to put less stress on my body while driving in the traffic.

Oh... btw..., can someone come up with the fastest cars from 65 to 100 miles? It just seemed unreal how fast my 8 got to 100 from highway cruising speed.

 

nice to know other one percenters are out there driving a automatic. did though drive a stick yesterday and man....one does have to say you feel your holding the beast in your hands when you control what she can do with the stick, thats for sure !!!

do concur, in my case, that a automatic will be something I can live with day in/day out. less power but a great feeling to just slide it over to the right and let her do the driving. mazda did a really nice job with it's auto/stick combo I feel. not a dgs (or whatever it is called) but darn nice (to me) just the same.

found a gt auto left over 07 but of course it has the kitchen sink on it so cost is way way up there even at discount.

took a pass on a 04 4sp auto the other day. they wanted more then I could see paying for it (my mx5 plus $1,000)

 

Yes that horribly dumb reason that they didn't want torque converters exploding all over their new customers. THey should have avoided that and jsut gone for the 232hp auto's, even if they lasted a week or less.
Or, you can wait until you have SOME idea of what you are talking abotu before you open your mouth.

The car is a different car as an auto if you like it, great, buy it, but realistically most auto drivers are happier with other cars like 350z's, mustangs, etc.

All fo that said, take your car to the nearest Carmax, and don't pay over $17k for that auto they are selling... You should come out even or better.