Dima26

Well, I was driving manual for 5 years, then I had to switch to automatic for 2 years. I missed the MT a lot. For the first week I kept trying to find the shifter or the clutch from time to time. After you get used to MT (weeks or months) you will not think about the shifting at all and it would not be any problem in heavy traffic. I would still go with MT.

No More Oldsmobiles

You sound like you are considering this car for all the right reasons.

I have an AT because of traffic. And the traffic where I live is not nearly as bad as in the D.C. area. I'm familiar with the traffic there, having lived there for years. I just wouldn't consider a stick for inside the Beltway. It's aggravating enough as it is.

The manumatic mode is a lot of fun. I usually put it in full automatic until it is warmed up, then move to manumatic. If I hit a traffic jam, I switch to full automatic again.

Also, I have been getting better gas mileage than a lot of AT drivers -- 20 to 21 mpg.

marcj1

Normally I'd agree with that statement, but today I spent 45 minutes while "they" closed all the lanes of 95 to clear a car fire a few miles ahead of me. In theory we shouldn't have been moving but about a foot a minute was the going rate.

By the way, my fiance is 5' even and has no problem driving my 8. I have a problem readjusting the seat, but that's another story.

beachdog

First, now is probably not the time to buy an auto 8. The hot weather engine deaths are primarily happening in autos. It has been known since the start that the Renesis was detuned (less ports) and redline reduced for the auto because Mazda did not have a proper auto for the Renesis. If you want an 8, wait for the 6 speed at when Mazda will be putting the 6 port engines in.

If you do go for an MT, a clutch pedal extension will make you much more comfortable and confident. Even taller people find the clutch can be a long reach because the seat has to be relatively far back to get the gas pedal in the right position. There are commercial pedal extensions available and there is a good DIY by Omicron in the DIY section.

Lastly, an editorial comment just to show my anti-at bias. It should be the law that everyone should learn to drive on an mt. In fact, everyone should only be allowed to drive mt unless they get a medical exemption.

SFShinka

I'm experienced driving with manual transmissions other than the RX-8, but I bought an automatic primarily because it is my only car and I have an hour-long commmute to work and back. When I drive to work during off hours, I spend a lot of time just cruising--not much fun for an automatic OR manual. But, since I live in the Bay Area, traffic can be quite bad. Also, there are lots of stop signs in San Francisco. For the first month, I drove in manual mode and enjoyed it considerably. But, the first time I hit a massive traffic jam, it was a major pain to constantly deal with manual mode. It would be even worse if I had to deal with the clutch also. I was really thankful for the automatic then, and since. Now that the novelty has worn off, I don't usually drive in manual mode much anymore, and it's much nicer to be able to forget about shifting until I really want to.

Don't get me wrong--I have occasionally wished for more power out of the car, and wondered whether I would've been happier with the manual. Then again, the kind of power I'm thinking about (flashback to my muscle-car days) is not really there in the RX-8 at all, either MT or AT. Overall, I am not disappointed at all with my purchase, and I know that I'm happier all around not having to deal with shifting at every other San Francisco block.

By the way, my mother weighed in on the topic when I was debating whether I wanted MT or AT, she said, "Every guy needs to buy at least one manual car in their life, if for no other reason than to learn how much of a pain in the a** they are to drive." In my previous experience, shifting is fun for awhile, but it can get old, especially if you have to deal with other things while you're driving (answer the phone [to tell them to call you back], kids, drinks, etc.) Keep in mind that the placement of the drink holders in this car are very bad. If you routinely bring a drink with you in the car, you will not be able to rest your elbow comfortably on the center console. This would get really old having to shift all the time.

Contrary to a previous poster, I'm not so sure about the resale value of the AT. At least for the Shinkas, there were fewer made. AT could mean a lot to the right buyer.

One final note: if you get the AT, wait until the car is broken in before you start using manual mode much. The computer learns your driving habits over time, and learning how to shift this car properly (it's different than when driving a manual) can interfere and really confuse it. I didn't do this, and the car developed hesitation and odd shifting behavior. A reset of the computer fixed all that, and now it's much more comfortable to drive in automatic mode.

Ultimately, go with your heart. Don't feel bullied into a wrong fit for you by the opinions of people here. Try both and weigh the tradeoffs; it's still an RX-8, so ultimately there is no wrong decision.

playdoh43

I made my comment from personal experience. I was cross shopping used Corvette, used M3 and new G35c not too long ago. And I find the price for used Corvettes with automatic transmission to be 2-4 thousand bucks lower than manual versions around my area. As for new G35 coupes, I could have bought an AT for below invoice. But I had to pay hundreds above Invoice for a manual. I find this trend to be true generally for all performance cars. I did a quick experiment on KBB's site on used vehicles, the MT cars usually cost more than AT. This is especially true for RX8 because MT version actually cost more than the AT to begin with and have more power. Its only natural that MT cost more used.

124Spider

Well, I suppose that, since we own a minivan with an automatic transmission which I drive every few weeks, you are correct in calling me an automatic owner.

In reality, when the traffic is such that you rarely can fully engage the clutch, so you spend a half hour or more each way each day slipping your clutch, a manual transmission is not fun. Period. I do it, every day, but I rue it, every day.

wantaRX8

Get your self what you want!
Nothing wrong with getting the AT
I am going to get an AT as soon as the recall is fixed.
I will be very happy with the AT tranny

beachdog

A lot of instant gratification types here. If you must have an auto, just wait for the 6 speed. Why go into a car knowing that even the manufacturer didn't want to use the trans that's currently shipping? There are plenty of better cars on the market if auto is your thing.

crisis

I still haven't made up my mind and will probably test drive the manual again, after practicing on a friends manual this weekend. The stop and go traffic I'm in isn't usually that bad, and when it starts to get bad I also start considering finding a job closer to my house, where I won't be in stop and go traffic anyway. Thanks again for everyone's input.

Can anyone tell me more about the 6 speed auto and why it's better than the current AT? If this is in the 2006 model year, when is that model available? I sold my old car ('97 Mitsubishi Mirage AT) 2 weeks ago and now I'm carpooling with my wife so time is some consideration. I've also considered letting my wife buy a new car now, then I'd use her car and possibly buy a beater manual for like $1,000 or less and just practice driving on it and run it into the ground. Then I can still drive my wife's old car if I hate manual and/or destroy a car that old. Then in a year or 2 I'd buy a new car and have a much better idea of what I'd want to drive, but I'm not sure if I want to go through all that trouble or wait that long.

truemagellen

I have a Mazda Millenia S too, the model only came in Auto...great car, the Miller Cycle Engine is amazing BUT one of its few faults is no manual

also I've driving a 5 speed minivan...it is fun although minivans need autos...because most likely you have kids and if some toddler decides to throw an object or something at your head, trying to deal with them while driving...shifting etc is crazy :D

Vertigo-1

iTrader: (3)

You know, if I had to drive this car exclusively in automatic mode, I'd probably go insane, because it really is a dog that people make it out to be in that sense. With an engine that already doesn't provide much torque, you're likely to get runned over if you attempt any fast maneuvers when the car's already all the way in overdrive while you're puttering around town. I mean heck you can always feel the engine lugging all the time at low speeds because it's in way too high of a gear and just isn't pushing enough torque to overcome the lugging sensation. This is the only automatic I've ever driven where you can feel the engine lugging at all, much less so badly.

The car honestly feels like a totally different beast in tiptronic mode, which is what I use 99.9% of the time. Better, more predictable acceleration as you can take it up to the higher RPMs where the rotary needs to be to make power, and shift when you want to. In-town cruising can all be done locked in 2nd gear, right around 3000 RPMs/35 mph, where you can be ready to unleash the power if needed because you're already at the start of your power band. Easy, last second rev matches to power through corners, thanks to the shifting delay tiptronics have. None of my friends that have been in the car with me have ever thought of the car as "just an automatic" with the way I drive it.

The only thing that I don't like about the automatic at the moment is the measly four gears the AT only has. The AT would be so perfect if it had just one more gear...but with only four gears, you end up spending most of your time in 2nd gear because it's so ridiculously tall. You also rarely get to hit redline often in the lower gears without blowing away speed limits around town. Of course Mazda is soon remedying this problem with the upcoming 6 speed version of the AT...which really pisses me off as it's what the AT RX-8 SHOULD have been to begin with. And even that's going to be handicapped with the 7200 RPM redline instead of the full 9000 RPMs.

Would I consider swapping to a MT? Maybe if Mazda does decide to never release an AT version of the RX-8 with the hi-power 9000 RPM redline engine. But otherwise, I'm a very happy tiptronic user...the AT RX-8 is my first car I've owned with tiptronic, and I've learned to make it work for me, shifting delays and all. I'm having tons of fun with it.

crisis

I just finished reading the thread about the DIY clutch extension. It makes me feel better already that I'm not the only one who thought the clutch was too far away for comfortable use. My wife and I do need a second car fairly soon so I'll have to make a decision in the next few weeks. Although it does sound like if I really want the auto I should wait till the 6 speed comes out. Does anyone know when it is supposed to be available? Is there currently an rmp limiter on the autos, or can you take it all the way up to 9000?

truemagellen

there is an RPM limiter because although both 1.3 rotary engines there are MAJOR differnces between them...

the Manual has an additional air intake system for putting air into the engine at higher revs

the exhaust ports in the engine only total 4 in the Automatic/5speed manual (standard power engine), 6 in the 6 speed manual (high power engine)

I actually have a great service module I got from RotaryG-d outlining the entire process...it is really fascinating

there are also dual oil coolers on the 6 speed...which are needed for the heat produced at 9000 RPMs

there is more but you get the idea

playdoh43

now till october is the best time to buy a 2005 car, you will be getting hundreds below invoice price on 2005 RX-8s because they are clearing out their inventory for 2006 models. If you wait a couple of month for the 2006 model, you can expect to pay a premium price, unless you are willing to wait until july next year, which judging by your posts, you seem like you need it soon.

truemagellen

if I were considering the Auto...there is no question...wait for the 6speed automatic tranny

by the time it comes out though you and your wife could learn stick on a beater car (rent-a-wreck ) and the issue would be null

crisis

Is it that the 4 spd AT will cause problems or just that the 6 spd AT is better? I'm still toying of the idea of letting my wife get a new car now, and the using hers and also getting a manual better to learn on for a year or so. Then make up my mind next August or so when the 6 spd AT is available and by then I'll also know if i want to deal with a manual or not.

crossbow

I have to say...if your worried about your ability to use a cell phone, juggle things with a second hand, or put on makeup while your driving...you shouldn't be driving till those things are taken care of BEFORE you get into a car.

I actually think that people trying to do things other then drive when behind the wheel should be forced to use public transportation so the damn fatality rates on the highway drive.

If your doing something with your other hand, your not paying 100% of your attention to the road, and your endangering your life, your passengers life, and the other individuals on the road.

A car is a weapon of mass destruction in the hands of an oblivious driver.



5 seconds to answer this cellphone won't matter...nothings going to happen, nobody is in front of me and the roads straight....

QBallz

RX8 was my first MT car. Only time I had ever driven anything with a clutch was dirtbikes, quads, and tractors. It sucks at first but OMG the throttle response is SO much better you just feel more intune with the car.

I'm ruined now and don't think I can ever buy another AT car again. As for the wife not knowing how to drive it, mine had never driven anything that had a clutch EVER before the RX8.

For the first couple months she didn't want to. Then one day she said she wanted to drive, we went out of town a few miles she got in, I closed my eyes and an hour or so later she was good enough to get around in it.

Traffic does suck, but you get a beefy calf muscle out of it, and it helps pass the time.

I had the same feeling as you at first about the AT vs MT, and almost went with the Automatic tranny. In the end drive them both and buy the one you like the most.

playdoh43

IMO if you are infetuated with the look of the car and dosnt really care much for performance and needs a car soon, just get the 05 auto for thousands less. Im sure the 6 spd auto will make a difference toward performance, but as fars as just having a beautiful car and use it to commute. I think the 4spd is adequet. But if you have the extra money to spend, then by all means, im sure the new tranny will be superior. just my 2 cents

crisis

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to test drive it again this weekend or next and also practice driving a friends manual to see what is right for me. My biggest concern with the manual was really the clutch and now that I see lots of people have had teh same complaint and have found a fairly simple fix I definitely need to take that into consideration. I should be making up my mind either this weekend or next and will definitely let everyone know what I did.

Thanks again for everyone's advice and input it has really helped give me enough information to make a decision I'll be comfortable with.

mauricio

I have an 05 auto but people on are saying that the 06 is going to have more power and more features than the 05. I think an auto is fine unless you want a stick is all up to you

DreRX8

Yeah the '06 will have 212HP and 6speeds. Still unclear as to whether its a 4-port with more power or a 6-port with less power.

crisis

Thanks for everyone's responses, but I ended up going with the Manual Transmission. I'll just have to learn how to drive it. I'm picking up my white '05 M/T, touring package at the end of the week. Thanks again to everyone on this forum. I now feel quite a bit more knowledge about what I am getting and feel quite comfortable with my decision.

truemagellen

congrats...you'll love the car!