I'm not really sold on that "deal" IMO.. I got my 09 for 24k brand new.. :dunno:

Since your going with AT and you wont get the ability to rev into 9krpms every now and then to clear out some of the carbon build up then I would suggest going with a 09 model. Mainly because of the changes in OMP and the added oil injector and a few other small changes within the engine bay.

Transmission wise I'm not to sure about the AT but with the MT it was redisgned some what to be more durable.

Were not too sure as of yet but I believe the added mechanical changes for the 09's their should be a lower percentage of failed engines compared to the older models.

If he wants an AT car he doesn't deserve it :P

He's got a good wife though.

All your ports open at around 7krpm anyways, and the AT can reach past that. So clearing out carbon is no issue. A lot of AT owners have already said the transmission can easily hold out at NA power, you only need to worry about it when you go FI.

THanks for all the info. And frankly, my husband deserves whatever HE wants!!! :)

If he has to stop & go in daily driver commuting traffic then an automatic is certainly justified (thankfully mine is smooth sailing most of the time).

And the price looks pretty good. There will always be those who say you can do better but at a point you just have to pull the trigger and, as Nike says, Just Do It. ;)

Yea but heres the thing. How many "normal" people that purchase an rx8 in AT form will actually take the car to 7k above? Maybe if your between the ages of 16-26 but the normal person doesnt really floor the gas. So reaching that kind of revolution as needed to limit the carbon build up wont be acheived unless you are a educated rotary owner and know of the issue.

For the average person the 09 refresh should be a little better than the older years in terms of reliability. Carbon build up will always be a reoccuring issue. But hopefully the added injector should limit the need of premixing and premature wear for the bearings/apex seals. In the hands of the average person there would be less maintenance needed. They will only have to worry about checking oil and adding when needed between changes, along with limiting carbon build up with a redline daily.

As for the transmission I was refering to durability and reliability for the MT. I'm not sure if they redesigned the AT for the 09 model, since the AT is pretty solid for 06+ years.

Then it's up to Radbunny to relay to him to redline it. I'd hope that anyone getting the RX-8, regardless of MT or AT, is bringing it above 7krpm at least. The additional 2krpms that MT has will assist in removing more carbon, but that shouldn't mean AT owners should not revving high either.

The 09s should prove to be better in oil distribution, but that's a decision that Radbunny will have to make because she would know her husband more.

just wanted to shout out to a fellow service member, i would have to say you are an awesome wife and want to let you know, I served once with a bad one and now she is gone, could keep things to herself if you know what i am saying.. Now I have a good one.. Congrats on him coming back home....

Well, it sounds like an Auto is what you need! It will still e a fun car and will last a long time if taken care of properly.

Make sure you post pictures when you buy it!
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ZOLOFT LAWSUIT INFO

Most deff, it would be a wiser choice to go 09 since its their first rotary most likely. But either year should do them fine as long as they take care of the car properly. In which we all here have not failed in giving her the correct information.

Thanks to everyone for your inputs. I have definitely learned a lot here!! :) I do love the car after driving it - and this coming from a girl who has driven a truck most of her life because she doesn't like being that low to the ground.

We do live in a stop-and-go traffic area, so the AT would be useful in that time. In fact, that's the one reason we both prefer it. I promise I will let him get it out and up over the 7K rpms once in a while. :)

I pick up the car later this week. Oh, and they are upgrading the stereo with the mp3 hookup I wanted. :) SWEET!

I'll post pictures soon! He gets home in a few weeks now and I can't wait!!!
Thanks again for your help. Even if we didn't agree on everything, I really appreciate the candor and information.

Happy driving!! :)

Congrats on the purchase and your husband is one lucky man!

Try and take the car above 7k rpms at least once a day. It clears out the carbon in the engine, the same engine in your car can handle 18k rpms but the transmission's can not. So dont be afriad to take it into high rpms esp with an auto since your 2k lower than us with the MT, rotaries love high rpms its where they shine...

Have fun with the car and we can't wait for the story when your husband comes home.

P.S. Pic's when you get a chance!

Cya around

Yea stop with the "if its AT, it isn't worth it" crap. It's a damn fine car even with AT. you can redline easily if needed. The AT is no slouch.

Lucky guy to have a such a wife. He will enjoy it, just be prepared for him to love the car and spend lots of time with it.

Thanks, Bigbacon!! :)
And I can handle being second to this car...
Here are some pics but it's still at the dealership awaiting that mp3 upgrade. (Plus, this keeps me from driving it before he gets home!!)

good job thats a clean looking car ... and yes he deserves whatever he wants ...

Awesome!! Very clean car and it even comes with strakes very cool. You should look into getting that wind deflector.. removed =P

^ you mean wind deflector right? .... the sun visor takes itself out in a few months LOL

I had a wind deflector as well and i took it off.. looks alot better however there were some scratches from it being on so long....

yeah that was my bad lol... :lol2:

Well done Radbunny.

btw: I too would recommend you have the dealer remove the wind deflector. Fugly!

Haha! Thanks for clarifying, Adam. I was wondering what you meant!!

lol, when I bought my used 8 I was like "Why the hell would you take the sun visor out??? Head room maybe???" haha, then I learned about the issue reading on this site. When I tell my friends that it's a common problem with the 8 they look at me with utter confusion, like "How did they f*ck up sun visors????" I don't even care, I think it's kind of funny. The interior is like top grade comfort and amazing design, yet they screw up the sun visor. But I like you're quote, that'll be my new story.."Oh that, it's a self removing sun visor"..

Apologies to RadBunny, not trying to change your topic...I've been following the thread and I can't wait to see some pics of your husband with his new RX-8! Thank you both for your service.

Haha! That's okay, B. But I do have a question... what are y'all talking about with the interior sun visor?? What's the concern?

Thanks!!
By the way, I pick it up this wknd and my husband comes home in about 10-15 days! WOO HOO!!

Some folk's sun visors have fallen off. No problem with my '05 to date tho'.

Again, well done Radbunny and enjoy the homecoming!! :)