If I were to get an RX8, it would have to be driveable by both myself and my wife, therefore an automatic.

Also, I love a stick, but I must admit it has gotten a bit "old" after 7 years of fighting traffic for an hour in the morning and the way home.

I want a sports car, that will be a stick. But if were to get an RX8, an automatic it would have to be.

 

I doubt it will cost Mazda "millions" to put an auto tranny in the 8. The RX-7 had one. I bet the one that finds its way into the 8 will be very similar...
Or, in another scenario, Ford will supply the transmission, just like they have done in the past with MX-6's and 626's.

 

Yet another reason to buy a manual tranny.. :p

 

Actually, the reason Mazda put Ford tranny's in those cars is their own transmission gave jerky shifts and had reliability problems.

I know, I know: Ford more reliable than Mazda? Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction. :D

 

I think some of the posters are only thinking about the American market. In most other countries they drive Manuals for all there cars. Heck you can't pass drivers test with out knowing a manual in some countries.

 

To be back in Europe... sigh... It's a shame that the North American market is geared mostly towards the automatic transmission.. Imo the manual gearbox forces people to pay attention while they are driving more.. thus making them better drivers. In Germany the drivers licence costs the equivalent of about $2000 Cnd! And it's not an easy process to get one either.. Oh how I wish.. :D

 

Reason for that is simple economics.

When gas costs you 5 bucks a gallon, then you learn to find ways to conserve

We have it lucky here in the states.

 

GoD BlesS America!!!!!