I'm considering moving from my '03 SRT-4 to an 8. I already drove an AT 8 (for the ease of city driving, and my wife isn't good with a manual tranny) and I wanted to experience the short-shifting manual. So, off to the local Mazda dealership!

I got behind the wheel of a beautiful blue '05. I had a lot of lurching starts, the clutch felt a bit tighter than my SRTs. I suppose practice will smooth that out.
Oh, but the short-throw shifting was nice! If you've ever driven an SRT-4, you'd think the tranny came out of a pickup. It works fine, but it's a looong throw between gears.
I was able to corner an off-ramp at a respectable speed, and man, does this car have some serious grip - there was very little body roll. Coupled with the short-throw shifting, I kept thinking, "so this is what a sports car is supposed to do." The view from the cockpit, with that wide expanse of hood and fender flares, was incredible.
I never got beyond 5k rpms (I had a salesman with me), but I had fun with what I used. Sure, it isn't the torque monster my SRT is, but it had very respectable acceleration, especially peeling out of corners. I'm not sure where this car gets its reputation for being slow, but I had a blast.

So now I have to decide - get the auto or manual 8, or just stay with the SRT? I do know that if I decide to move on from my Dodge, the only car I am considering is the 8, quirks and all.
All in all, a fun afternoon.

 

I've done two test drives of the 8 so far and I don't think it's slow either. However, I do see how some people could think it 'feels' slow due to the linear power band. It never really has that snap point where the power peaks. It just kind of goes through the rpms, and then you look down at the gauge and it's going faster than you think.

I really want an 8, but I have to wait it out a bit...

 

I'd go with the manual, and teach the wife to drive stick. I think you lose a lot of the raw, sporty fun that Mazda is known for if you get an AT 8. Easiest way to teach stick is with the clutch only (it gets the car going, just slowly). I taught my girlfriend, and now she's an MT snob right up with the best of them!

 

You gotta get the MT. Some people have a mental block about learning to drive a MT but it ain't hard. If my 85-year-old mother can, anybody can.

 

The M/T is the best way to get the most out of the car. I would if my back was better(two back surgeries). I,m glad I still could get my seventh rotary and didn't miss out. If you have to get a A/T it still revs to eight....enjoy it I do!

 

Fantastic statement, I couldn't agree more.

The newer 6 speed automatics do narrow the power gap between the models since they also offer the 6 port "high output" motor with the autos as well.

This was my first manual car ever, and I found it very easy to learn and drive. I know the need to get used to the clutch, but you'll get adjusted quickly.

As for the short throw shifter, it's nice believe me! There is an aftermarket short throw kit for the RX8 which makes it feel like firing a bolt action rifle. So if you like that feeling, it gets even better.

Good luck with your purchase!

 

Don't get an automatic, it ruins the fun of this car. The reason why the RX-8 is so much more fun than, say the 350Z, it because of the fantastic handling feel combined with the 9,000RPM redline. Trust me, with sports cars in this price range, nothing beats dropping the clutch and redlining the gears to get up to speed. Of course, that's not going to help out your engine if you do it every day, but still.

The automatic has significantly less horsepower and a 7,500RPM redline.

 

dump the neon, and get the MT 8. You will not regret it.

--Jonathan

 

You never got beyond 5K? The car has SO MUCH more in it than that.

 

Yeah once you compare the AT and the MT you will know why everyone on here is voting for the MT. You feel more apart of the car

 

Trade in your wife!

 

1st and 2nd can be jerky till you learn how much clutch is needed to slip. Later you'll find out how much throttle is needed and when to lift up, and you'll be able to do it without the jerk and without slipping a lot.


AFE STS is 30% shorter, going from 4th to 6th is literally like 3mm to the right.


Most of us think the stock setup comes with too much body roll. The RB sways are 100% stiffer and can cut that down significantly while maintaining the same level of road comfort.


In all honesty, SRT owners do not usually cross shop with the RX-8. Completely different kind of car, with different mindsets. Also SRT = Cheap power, RX-8 = expensive to get any power gains. FWD vs RWD, etc.

If you plan to go turbo down the road, you can at least beat a stock SRT in terms of torque - getting you 250-300 tq range. But you'll have that torque for 4-5k of the powerband.


Linear but it's mostly due to the pesky 130 lb/ft torque. Get a turbo and you can more than double it.

 

[QUOTE=mysql;2549256]
In all honesty, SRT owners do not usually cross shop with the RX-8. Completely different kind of car, with different mindsets. Also SRT = Cheap power, RX-8 = expensive to get any power gains. FWD vs RWD, etc.

If you plan to go turbo down the road, you can at least beat a stock SRT in terms of torque - getting you 250-300 tq range. But you'll have that torque for 4-5k of the powerband.


QUOTE]

Interesting observation you make on the SRT owners. There is at least one former SRT-4 owner on this board who's made the switch to the 8.
I did a search on the SRTforums.com website for the RX-8. The SRT board has been up and running since at least 2003, and there was not one mention of the RX-8 in the forums - not one. So, the 8 was never a topic of interest with the SRT guys.
Personally, I've always wanted the 8, but 5 years ago, the SRT-4 was a better fit for my budget. The 8s at the time were, to me, an exotic dream machine: cool styling, rotary engined, RWD, suicide doors, cockpit like a Learjets. Now, they're finally within reach - a used one is, anyway.

As far as turbos, stock is good enough for me now.

 

Manual!! Do NOT go automatic. It redlines at 7500 RPM and has 20 less HP. You will miss out on a TON of fun between 7500 - 9000 RPM if you go with the Auto. Teach your wife how to drive manual. You will regret it if you buy an AT.

 

Yeah def go with the MT it's just SOOOOOOOO much more fun....yeah the 8 is not "slow" just with the low numbers for the torque it "feels" slow but def a fun fun car to drive....

 

I rather keep the SRT4 than drive an automatic rx-8. Heck I'd rather get a speed3 or 350z for that matter. Automatic rx-8 should've never been created.

 

automatics are like toilet seats.. all you need is an *** and your good to go...

to me, all automatics are the same.. might as well save your money and go with a cheap pos if you are going to get an auto. Yawn...

An engine that LIVES to REV and you want to get an automatic???

 

DUDE if you get an 8 get and MT then get a short shifter then you WILL DEFINITELY fall in love with the gearing, its amazing

 

hello, hey, just thought I'd say what others have said. Remember, it is NOT a chore to shift gears in this superb machine with the fantastic short-throw shifter. You WILL get used to the stick and clutch so fast you will scarcely believe you ever made it jerk. So, it is NOT a chore, it is a PLEASURE to shift gears! I'm telling you, even just regular driving to the store will make you happy. And as for real driving--look out baby, you are going to rip it up! cheers.

 

Get the MT its so kick ***! My Girl was driving stick in one night and it was her first time driving stick If she can do so can yours lol

 

any girl i date knows how to handle a stick, if they dont, i definitely show them.