Manual vs Automatic
ಠ_ಠ
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 6
From: Under the Dumbarton Bridge
Yeah I would kill myself clutching on the hills of SF.. been there a few times (not in the 8). I however have to deal with the shitty traffic associated with new york city streets.. I have no problem whatsoever driving a manual transmission car in stop and go traffic. No excuse.
It wouldn't have been that bad except I was in San Francisco. Going up a hill. God knows how many hill starts in a row, an hour long traffic jam tailgating me and NO WAY OUT.
Ever since, hills have been easy. Heck. I followed a cable car from all the way from the pier to the top of the hill.
Registered
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 646
Likes: 1
From: Houston, Tx
I got the manual because I come from mainly riding a motorbike, hence I like to have complete control over the engine rpms and the overall acceleration.
even though the traffic here in Houston is dismal from 1200-1700hrs, I have more fun driving a manual rather than a boring sensory depriving automatic vehicle.
A manual car lets feel connected to it, it gives more feedback, contributing to the overall exhilaration they provide when driving them properly fast... like they were meant to.
even though the traffic here in Houston is dismal from 1200-1700hrs, I have more fun driving a manual rather than a boring sensory depriving automatic vehicle.
A manual car lets feel connected to it, it gives more feedback, contributing to the overall exhilaration they provide when driving them properly fast... like they were meant to.
mod edit
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
From: Eugene, Oregon
I got the manual because I come from mainly riding a motorbike, hence I like to have complete control over the engine rpms and the overall acceleration.
even though the traffic here in Houston is dismal from 1200-1700hrs, I have more fun driving a manual rather than a boring sensory depriving automatic vehicle.
A manual car lets feel connected to it, it gives more feedback, contributing to the overall exhilaration they provide when driving them properly fast... like they were meant to.
even though the traffic here in Houston is dismal from 1200-1700hrs, I have more fun driving a manual rather than a boring sensory depriving automatic vehicle.
A manual car lets feel connected to it, it gives more feedback, contributing to the overall exhilaration they provide when driving them properly fast... like they were meant to.
but the plastic plate with dogleg automatic selector stick and **** are soooooo sexy!!!
WAAAAYYY better than the leather stick boot with aluminum trim around it.
mod edit
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
From: Eugene, Oregon
GADamn it. well, I guess this just goes to show my ignorance on everything possible for the RX8. I have nothing to offer, to anyone. (saving Kersh4w some time here).
I know nothing about anything. I hate all aftermarket mods.
I don't understand that automatic is just as good as manual. I don't understand that bigger tires is better in every case.
Basically i don't understand anything, yet claim that I do.
GADamn it. well, I guess this just goes to show my ignorance on everything possible for the RX8. I have nothing to offer, to anyone. (saving Kersh4w some time here).
I know nothing about anything. I hate all aftermarket mods.
I don't understand that automatic is just as good as manual. I don't understand that bigger tires is better in every case.
Basically i don't understand anything, yet claim that I do.
I know nothing about anything. I hate all aftermarket mods.
I don't understand that automatic is just as good as manual. I don't understand that bigger tires is better in every case.
Basically i don't understand anything, yet claim that I do.
mod edit
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
From: Eugene, Oregon
hell no!!
I have to stay here to offer useless information.
I need to let people know that natural aspiration offers more direct response to throttle inputs, even though we all know turbo'ing a car will actually decrease throttle response times, despite inevitable turbo lag.... Ya i know I thought things like that were crazy too but now that I have been informed, I will soon be purchasing wider tires, (because wider tires are better, obviously), lower, tighter suspension components, (because the car handles TERRIBLE stock), and of course a body kit to cover up the pathetic factory styling. Oh ya, I will also spend 900 dollars on an exhaust system which sounds annoying and adds 2 bhp.
I have to stay here to offer useless information.
I need to let people know that natural aspiration offers more direct response to throttle inputs, even though we all know turbo'ing a car will actually decrease throttle response times, despite inevitable turbo lag.... Ya i know I thought things like that were crazy too but now that I have been informed, I will soon be purchasing wider tires, (because wider tires are better, obviously), lower, tighter suspension components, (because the car handles TERRIBLE stock), and of course a body kit to cover up the pathetic factory styling. Oh ya, I will also spend 900 dollars on an exhaust system which sounds annoying and adds 2 bhp.
Registered
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 646
Likes: 1
From: Houston, Tx
is looking for his torque
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
hell no!!
I have to stay here to offer useless information.
I need to let people know that natural aspiration offers more direct response to throttle inputs, even though we all know turbo'ing a car will actually decrease throttle response times, despite inevitable turbo lag.... Ya i know I thought things like that were crazy too but now that I have been informed, I will soon be purchasing wider tires, (because wider tires are better, obviously), lower, tighter suspension components, (because the car handles TERRIBLE stock), and of course a body kit to cover up the pathetic factory styling. Oh ya, I will also spend 900 dollars on an exhaust system which sounds annoying and adds 2 bhp.
I have to stay here to offer useless information.
I need to let people know that natural aspiration offers more direct response to throttle inputs, even though we all know turbo'ing a car will actually decrease throttle response times, despite inevitable turbo lag.... Ya i know I thought things like that were crazy too but now that I have been informed, I will soon be purchasing wider tires, (because wider tires are better, obviously), lower, tighter suspension components, (because the car handles TERRIBLE stock), and of course a body kit to cover up the pathetic factory styling. Oh ya, I will also spend 900 dollars on an exhaust system which sounds annoying and adds 2 bhp.
Ok here is my thoughts:
AT with Paddle Shifting that is responsive is pretty good for those of us that WANT to hold in gear, ie to fully red line the 8 off a start which you cannot do in Automatic Mode.
Other bonuses as to why many of us drive AT's
1. Cheaper (at least at my dealer the AT was cheaper)
2. More selection, again the only Manuals at my dealer are R3's. Cannot find a GT of any year in Manual.
3. Some of us have gf's, wives, friends that will be driving the 8 (especially when I am drunk) and most of which do not know how to drive a manual.
4. My insurance is cheaper in an automatic because they are deemed safer by my insurance company.
5. Resale - believe it or not, most people only look for AT's even on sports cars for reason number 3.
6. A lot of us live where we drive through a lot of traffic daily where a Manual is more of a pain in the *** then fun.
The paddle shifters in the RX-8 are pretty good for a Mazda.
I would not be surprised if an AT and a Manual raced the AT would win using paddle shifters if the Manual guy didn't launch. Only to 60 or so though then the extra HP would probably pull away.
Having said all this the next 8 I get (or 7 or whatever they are releasing in 2010/2011) will be a Manual since I never let my wife drive my car anyway because she still doesn't understand how the car has no pistons.
AT with Paddle Shifting that is responsive is pretty good for those of us that WANT to hold in gear, ie to fully red line the 8 off a start which you cannot do in Automatic Mode.
Other bonuses as to why many of us drive AT's
1. Cheaper (at least at my dealer the AT was cheaper)
2. More selection, again the only Manuals at my dealer are R3's. Cannot find a GT of any year in Manual.
3. Some of us have gf's, wives, friends that will be driving the 8 (especially when I am drunk) and most of which do not know how to drive a manual.
4. My insurance is cheaper in an automatic because they are deemed safer by my insurance company.
5. Resale - believe it or not, most people only look for AT's even on sports cars for reason number 3.
6. A lot of us live where we drive through a lot of traffic daily where a Manual is more of a pain in the *** then fun.
The paddle shifters in the RX-8 are pretty good for a Mazda.
I would not be surprised if an AT and a Manual raced the AT would win using paddle shifters if the Manual guy didn't launch. Only to 60 or so though then the extra HP would probably pull away.
Having said all this the next 8 I get (or 7 or whatever they are releasing in 2010/2011) will be a Manual since I never let my wife drive my car anyway because she still doesn't understand how the car has no pistons.
I timed my AT 0-60 and my Manual 0-60 and so far I have equal times but then again I'm new to the manual and still suck at shifting and I use DSC for my launches.
Merry Christmas fellow RX-8'ers.
lol it's hard for me - not making excuses but holding a camera, shifting and steering are harder than in an AT hit the gas and go... but I will be trying it again soon enough
GT-R by your definition is not a true sports car...
fail.. hate to break it to ya, but i have to agree with are-ex-eight on this one.. i love traditional stick shift, and will always own at least one car with it, but the future looks bleak for us. the auto transmissions are now way faster and way more reliable.. it's all about efficiency, and they've got it.