How bad is the automatic/tiptronic?
 

I've been reading this forum for a few weeks now and this is my first post. I am very serious about buying an RX-8 in the next month or so. I have very little experience driving manual cars and when I tried driving the manual rx-8 with the dealership I had a hard time depressing the clutch all the way, because I'm fairly short (5'5" with short legs). I live in the MD/DC area and know I'll be in stop and go traffic with some regularity. How much difficulty will I have driving a manual rx 8 in stop and go traffic in this area?

My other concern is that my wife doesn't want to plan to ever learn to drive a manual car. We also test drove the automatic rx-8 and the tiptronic shifter was fun to use and you could still get the rpm's up fairly high. If I used the tiptronic on a regular basis would that hurt the car, or should I just learn to drive the manual? Please keep in mind that I will never race this car, and only use it as a commuter car. I do not live in an area with long winding roads, nor do I plan to drive my car for those types of recreational purposes. My wife can live without driving me car, but my biggest fear is I'll get the manual and go insane because of how short I am and the long clutch throw. Although I'm also concerned I'll get the tiptronic and feel like I'll never get to truly let this car perform (even though I'd rarely do that anyway).

Your height shouldn't prevent you from driving this car in MT. My friend is 5'3 and she drives it fine. It shouldn't take more than a few months for you and your wife to drive MT.

Automatic is certainly an option and will get you into this car. However, you may be better off choosing another vehicle entirely. The RX-8 requires a little more attention than most other cars. Also, as a pure commuter it may not have the fuel economy you may like.

Pretty sure guy means a few months to drive a manual really well. You can learn the basics and be driving it around fairly easily after a couple days of practice.

There are several serious issues affecting some automatic transmission RX-8s that Mazda may or may not have managed to figure out a fix for. Up to now all they can do is replace the engines on the affected cars. That alone would make me go for a manual.

And it's a personal pet peeve of mine when men whine that they have to buy an automatic because their wife or girlfriend can't drive a stick! TEACH her how, fer heaven's sake... it's a very useful skill and makes driving much more fun and engaging. It also keeps her from putting on makeup while she's behind the wheel. ;)

Yes, well I mean proficiently.

Just adjust your seat. You should be just fine with driving manual. Automatic is just not fun. I swapped my automatic tranny to manual in my previous car just to have that feeling. I used to drive manual on a busy campus with stop-and-go traffic and it was never a problem. You will get used to it very soon. Even, if are not into acceleration, you would be better of choosing MT. I would not be surprised if AT were not very reliable on this car after ~ 60K.

As far as RX-8. There is a strange thing how long it took me to shift this car *very smoothly*. I drove all kinds of cars before and none of them had such jerks when you do not match the revs precisely. I think, this is due to the close-ratio gearing.

You could wait a few months. Sounds like the '06 model will have a 6spd Automatic.

hey buddy, i live in College Park MD, student at UMCP. Where do you live? Anywho, I bought a brand new manual car just a few weeks ago, and not having driven manual since 10th grade. I actually found my self having the same problem with depressing the clutch at first. But I ended up realizing its just the way I positioned my foot making it seem like my legs are too short (im 5'8). Its much more comfortable now. Not to mention you can always adjust the seats. Im pretty sure height have nothing to do with your problem, its got to be the way you position your foot that makes it seem like you cant reach it.

I feel you on your concern over driving a manual car in traffic. Rush hour traffic is terrible in this area, especially if you have to use 495 or 95. A manual car is not fun at all in that kinda traffic. but dispite it all, I still strongly recommend you to get the manual version not only for the extra 40ish hp, but also because you are getting a fun sports car, and getting automatic (which only have 197 hp) sort of defeats the whole purpose of the sports car fun factor. Manual would be my personal preference.

On the other hand you just want this car because it looks good, and dont care too much about performance, then you should get the auto. It has more useable torque down low and more suitible for everyday driving. Everyone buys cars for different reasons, so as long as youre satisfied with it, theres no reason why you shouldnt get the auto. This car is not about straight line acceleration anyways, so even the manual version is not that fast to begin with. Do keep in mind, however that your resale value will not be as good as the manual version.

From what you said though, it sounds like a auto is more suitible for you since you mentioned that you arnt really into recreational driving, and just wants a commuter car and dont care much for performance. As Ive indicated, this car isnt about straight line accleration, its more about its nimble handling. You will get that experience with the auto version too. dont worry about reliability, the tiptronic is there for you to use, if it messes up your car, then it wouldnt be there in the first place. I care a lot about the fun factor and recreational driving, so Id never get an auto sports car, but it really sounds like an auto would be the best choice for you. good luck. BTW, ive gotten numerous offers for the RX8 at hundreds below invoice price from dealers around this area, so keep that in mind :)

Thanks for everyone's response. To the kid who asked where I live, I live in Silver Spring, and graduated from UMCP in 2002. I would enjoy the preformance of the car, but would only really use it for passing on the highway, probably nothing more than that. I'm not concerned about the gas mileage either. What I liked about the tiptronic was that I could use it when I wanted to, like when I wanted to pass or something. I understand that this car is not about straight line speed, but that is not something I value in a car anyway. I like the styling and uniquness of the car, and in the both cases, knowing I have a car that can handle better than a regular car if I choose to push it.

My wife's shorter than you and has no trouble with the manual transmission on the RX-8, which is a very fun car.

That said, this is not a car I'd get if a major part of its use was going to be in heavy traffic. I love manual transmissions, but they're a real drag in stop-and-go traffic, day after day. I'd get a beater automatic (e.g., 6 year old Accord) for that, and a fun car for the rest of the time, if you can afford it.

Also, the fuel mileage of the RX-8 is very poor in heavy traffic. A decent Accord will get close to twice the gas mileage with half the fuss.

My $.02. Let the flames begin.

Dude, this is a JAPANESE car! 5'5'' is huge by their standards...you'll do just fine :)

Yes, in heavy stop and go traffic I would expect around 15mpg or less.

I can live with the poor fuel mileage, and the more I think about it, the more I think that driving around 495 and 270 in rush hour will make me insane in a manual and make me regret my choice. That is why I thought a auto with tiptronic is good because those few times I want to pass someone I will have the flexibility to in a tiptronic. Has anyone seen any long-term reviews on the automatic rx8? All opinions are quite welcome.

Oh joy, another bash-the-AT thread.
My short answer is, there's a lot to like about an AT masquerading as a manual.
Meanwhile . . .
That's easy for you to say. Might as well teach my cat to play polo while I'm at it.

I've always viewed automatics as owning half a car. Manuals do suck in stop and go traffic. However, I would suggest you teach yourself and your wife how to drive a stick. Long time ago I saw something on TV about dumb criminals: the criminals couldn't get away in a stolen pick-up because they couldn't drive a manual. If you or your wife have plans to rob a bank or something and have to find a close car to get away in, I suggest learning how to drive a manual.

FS

you will be fine with a automatic, you can go from reg at to the shifter at any time .. either use the steering wheel controls or the shifter knob

Silverspring huh, 495 and 270 sucks big time during rush hour dude. one of my best buddies have a blue 04 auto rx8. Hes had no problem with it. Get the auto and enjoy the attention you get everywhere you go :) Everyone will turn their head and look at you in that car.

This is my seventh rotary and first automatic. I have had a couple of back ops and I had no choice. Sure the manual is more fun and the extra power would be wounderful! The A/T gets better MPG then the M/T, I have got mid-hi twenties several times. Thats not what the car is about. It's about reving that rotary. I have the the most fun on the twisties red lineing it in second doing.......well you just have to do it once then you will understand. The car has perfect balance. Get the A/T you will be happy.

The automatic is quite fun, even though I do bash on it sometimes. But if you are going to be in heavy stop and go traffic, then you should definitly get the auto and save the hassle on you and your wife. Its power isnt much different for passing compared to the MT. Just dont try to pass anyone between 31-40mph in 2nd gear, 50-65mph in 3rd gear. If you can keep out of those ranges you should be fine.

I have driven a MT RX8 3 times and have yet to kill one. They are pretty easy to drive. Just got to let out slowly if you want a smooth flow. I might add I have only drive a MT Car 7 times. Nissan Sentra Spec V 6 Speed is what I learned on. Ive driven a Sentra Spec V 2 times, RX8 3 times, Nissan 350Z once, and my friends 5 Speed S10 once. Out of those cars the RX8 was definitly the easiest MT to use.

i drive to downtown la every other day, and to the OC (irvine) the days i dont drive to LA and i hit stop and go traffic everyday and I believe its not that bad with a manual, or maybe i havent been driving it long enough? (a year)

the arguement that a manual in stop and go traffic is annoying/horrible/etc. is something only said by automatic owners

If this is your daily driver it will take less than a month before you don't even notice you are shifting...I got stuck in an almost 2 hour traffic jam when a bridge over the highway collapsed during construction...the shifting was the only thing that kept my mind from going nutz because you shouldn't be touching your cellphone on the road

That reminds me! Shifting is just so much fun if you ask me. Keeps me from being bored or going nuts. Anyways im done now. :)

just trying to make all of you feel good about yourself ;) :p




/btw Zoom knows I'm somewhat crazy :D

I got the Auto because I have another fun car that is a manual and when I want to drive it I can. I miss nothing in the RX8 having an automatic, it still gets the looks and is a blast to drive. It sounds like the Auto would be better for you over all. Esp considering it would be the better choice for your wife.

Its a common misconception as an auto owner that shifting is an unpleasurable experience...when in fact, its anything but it.

I was a long time ATX driver that swapped to a 1st time manual. The first week is utter hell, by the end of the first month, you'll wonder why you ever bought automatics in the first place.