Hey guys,
My very first manual was the 2005 Rx-8, and after different cars here and there, I went out and test drove the R3. But I realized the stick was not as silky as before. In fact, different R3 (3 totals) have different gears that feel particularly weird. It's like I have to move over some notch or grinding over sands to get into the gear.

The cars I have tested have different miles in it too. Do you think it's because some other test drivers had already abused it?

Those who own R3, please chime in....thanks. How does your stick feel? (this question now sounds so weird)

 

mine is ok. its a big notchy when cold but I like it.
all new S2's seem to have very hard 3rd gear when cold feels like hittng the something when going in.
its a different box so I would feel differently.

 

When my gearbox is cold, it doesn't feel very smooth and needs pretty gentle shifting (especially third gear). But once warmed up, it shifts very well and precisely. It also seems to be a little smoother after the 6K miles I have on it.

 

My gearbox is precise. I love the way my stick feels

 

im not a r3 owner but i do have an 09....usually when its cold its a bit stiffer to shift, but like others have said, once it warms up its fine.

 

thanks, that's a bit reassuring..anyone else? thanks.

 

its fine. once it warms up its rifle bolt action shifting

 

I have an '04 and at some point during the last year, I test drove a regular '09 and the R3. Pretty much the first thing I noticed was that the shifting didn't feel quite the same on either of them as it does with my '04. Couldn't really pinpoint it but it definitely felt notchier and it almost seemed as if the throws were a little longer. I'm sure it's just something to chalk up to the new tranny/gear ratios on the series IIs. It's not really a big deal but I did notice a slight difference in the feel.

Maybe someone who has owned a Series I and a series II could chime in with their thoughts?

 

Watching this post with curiosity since I don't have much experience with other 8s, but LOVE the stick on my R3. Nothing weird about it...to me, at least.

 

since we all have the same car. I have a question about getting in 1st gear when moving faster than 5mph.

my R3 wont get in 1st gear when car moving faster than 5mph unless I double clutch. is that the same for you guys?

when I cant get in, I can hear the gears spinning up so the syncros are fine just a lock or something preventing it get in cuz the rpm difference. once I double clutch, it slides in no problem.

 

Push harder. Mine usually works fine until about 18 mph.

 

doenst feel right to the transmission tho.
it needs more force than when its stopped.

 

same thing with me at times. just make sure you push the clutch in all the way.

 

Exactly. Once warmed up, it's great.

 

Mine is S1, I have the same issue as you. Other than that the thing shifts fine.

 

I had an 05 and I have an 09.

They're similar enough that I really didn't notice all that much -- however the 09 is slightly notchier. It really isn't a big difference at all, in fact I completely forgot until I saw this thread.

 

thanks guy...let me wait for big discount!

 

Yup, that's completely normal. Good thing I don't even go into first unless I'm moving from a standstill :P

 

I just did a gear oil change to Redline MT-90, now the issue is totally gone, able to get into first gear easily under 15km/h

 

It's not broken in that's all IMO. Also it should be more responsive in lower gears like Rx-7's. Should give a bit more torque once broken in.

 

thanks guys!

 

the difference in feel is because they're different transmissions. the series 1 cars shared the nb miata's 6-speed tranny; the series 2 the nc miata's. ratios are also a bit different

 

https://www.rx8club.com/series-ii-technical-trouble-shooting-160/how-smooth-does-your-8-shift-189418/

 

interesting thread

 

as long as its not below freezing cold my tranny is pretty smooth. now its 60-70 out its smooth all gears without warming up.
as for feel. I like the snug feel.