zeblien

I found another RX8 that I would buy. One thing I had a question on is the low torque. Is it enough to launch up an onramp at a good angle? I know this car is not a "straight shooter" but I dont want to downgrade on performace moving from a 2000 ford focus wagon. I want to get up to 50mph easly up hills from a slow speed.

I would go for a manual, but I dont have a learning car, and dont want to learn in a new 30k car. I figure I can always add a turbo later on after warenty expires.

Oh and I read that use of synthetic oils can cause more issues. What are the benefits in this engine to use synthetics over 5w30?

map

So you would doom yourself to years of driving the low power auto because you don't want to spend one day learning to drive manual? It's easy, and the 8 is a good car to learn on. I say if you feel like you want the manual (and extra power) even a little bit, get it. Otherwise you'll be regretting it later.

zeblien

I agree, if I knew someone in NM that had a manual so I could learn. I dont think it would take long, cause I have driven one a long while ago. I would also buy a cheap plastic Manual if I had the money. Would be fun to go off roading in it after I learned.

SOVINE

The auto is prolly not a "downgrade" compared to a ford focus.... but I would highly consider getting a manual.

Adding a turbo to an auto is retarded IMO.

You can learn manual in a parking lot within an hour. I learned how to drive stick on a 3000GT VR-4. After you learn how to go on the flats... find some non-populated elevated road surface and practice starting in first on a slight incline.

I believe your not supposed to use synthetic motor oil with rotary engines.

zeblien

Well then how do I get the car to a parking lot? lol.

SOVINE

Have a buddy that knows how to drive stick go with you to pick it up... might be hard to get the keys back from him though after he gets you to a parking lot.

MogWV

Definitely go with the stick- the Rx8 was my first. Find a buddy to teach you manual for an hour or two before you go for a test drive. After you get it, just practice for yourself in a parking lot until you get the hang of it even better. For the first week you'll feel like an idiot when you stall at a light with traffic waiting (it'll happen- it's no biggie), you'll feel akward for a while longer, and after that you'll wonder why you ever drove an automatic.

If nothing else, have the dealer teach you. I seriously doubt one would turn down a sale over an hour or two in a parking lot. The guys on the forum at http://www.standardshift.com/ are helpful as well.

christy

http://www.yawpower.com/tqvshp.html

read this, then stick it in the gate and rev!!

.....Or buy a manual, it honestly isnt hard. I learned when i was 14 in a jeep with my dad (off road, lol) having never driven a car before, it took me about a dayto learn and i'm a complete idiot! also, i could honestly say i would never buy an automatic. Its just funner with a manual once you get your head round it.

hope this helps!!

Transam kid 01

iTrader: (1)

Hey, my advice is to get the MT. I bought one without knowing how to drive stick and was able to drive it around town (not too well) that same day. I don't regret getting a manual, in fact, i don't want an auto ever again! Cars are much more fun in stick.

Also, if for some reason you have a prob going up a hill......down shift

zeblien

Are manual transmissions more reliable then automatic? I havent read the difference. Since mazda is only offering 2 years vs 6 years on some, I would onsider that a point to ponder.

YT1300

Manual transmissions are simpler than automatics in that the power transfer is more direct and the engine doesn't have to run through a torque converter to send power to the gearbox and then the wheels. They essentially do the same thing. If you really don't know the difference between the two or how they work, I'd suggest looking BOTH of them up before worrying about which is better for you.

You will regret buying automatic if all you're looking to do is get more power some time later. Spend $100 getting proper lessons, buy the manual car, and thank us all later.

DOMINION

Doom you say? Did you not see this part

Silver_Surfer

So many auto bashers here! I have never seen this in any other car site. You would think an RX8 auto was a Kia or some other brand of car. The guys moving from a focus wagon. Might wana ask his age?(mid life thing? ) Will the wife be driving the 8?(Not! )

Most people know what the Auto 8 is before they get one.

Tirminyl

You must not visit alot of car sites then. Automatic and Performance do not go together.

9291150

Thats changing with the new auto's today, and will continue I expect. But the US has always loved their auto's, way too many last generation Camaros/Firebirds, or even new Vettes or Mustangs with autoboxes.

Anyways, if you gotta talk someone into a manual, then he really doesn't want it. Also, if he's concerned about an auto 8 being slower than a 6 year old Focus wagon, then that just shows the image sites like this have created of the 8. The auto 8 IS too slow for a sportcar, but I'm sure it is still quicker than most everyday shitboxes out there.

Tirminyl

Well, not really. When you have a low torque car that puts 120-130 to the wheels and add an automatic to it, it will feel just like the 2.0 SPI motor I had in my Ford Focus. Slow. If your gonna get an auto, but don't want it to be slow, and still retain performance. Get something with torque.

DOMINION

Dude I have an AT 8 and I was keeping up with a MT G35 till he hit 85mph and killed me. Even then he did not get far. Oh well to each his own. At or not its still a great car. Aside from the recalls

BlueEyes

You didn't keep up with a MT G35. Unless he wasn't trying to loose you.

nzarnow

I had an automatic rx-8 and after 2 years upgraded to a 6 speed GTO. Never looked back. The auto rx-8 is **** compared to the manuals. Not to mention boring.

Maybe that is just the 400hp/tq talking.

DOMINION

Maybe he did not know how to drive or he was a AT too and was useing the shifter but I think the V12 AMG was trying to loose us!

Silver_Surfer

Example: My 04 Maxima(auto) I ran 14:30- 14:33 ET faster than most MT maximas. Faster than most 8's. To answer your next question on why I
did'nt get a 350z, I did'nt want to own two boats