Lightest RX-8 model
 

I am pretty sure that the lowest weight version of the RX-8 will be the 6sp manual base. From there the weight of the RX-8 will go on up. On the manual side though how much weight difference can you expect from the base to the grand tourer. My thought is your adding foglights, power and heated seats, leather, sunroof, an extra I believe 3 speakers, heated mirrors, faux trim. With all of these additions it seems like you could be adding 100lbs to the weight of the car.

Re: Lightest RX-8 model
 

I would think that the 2" smaller tires of the automatic might make up for the slightly heavier trany.

Usually an automatic is heavier, but according to the last Miata brochure I picked up, the 6-speed is quite a bit heavier than the 5-speed and a little heavier than the automatic. (I don't remember the exact figures) The auto RX-8 apparently also has less induction hardware. But then the steel driveshaft... I'm gonna guess they are about even, with the 18" wheels.

How much weight do you figure the G/T package adds to the RX-8? I would say that with the moonroof, the leather and all of the heated and power doo-dads, it might reach into the hundreds?

There isn't a 5 speed is there?

in japan they have the optio, in the standard power, of the auto or a 5 speed manual. i think its that way in europe too. NA and austrakia don't have that option.

No, in Europe is only 240Hp 6speed or 194Hp 5speed manual (At least in France)

Hi KKMmaniac,

The 6-speed in the Miata might not be making all of the difference in weight. In the RX-8, the base 6-speed version also comes with larger brakes, sport suspension, etc. Perhaps the 6-speed Miata was similar in that the extra weight could have come from other things too.

Brian