Unless you have a medical reason not to get a manual you'd be missing out on a lot of the "RX8 experience" with an AT.

 

I drove an MT around the parking lot with a 220lb passenger at the dealer. It handles pretty well on the first and the second without having to press too hard on the gas, at least for a 3,000lb car that is. MT shouldn't be a problem in stop and got for just the driver.
Stop to move takes a bit more gas than my 2.4L 4 banger though.

Shifter feels awefully short compared to my 240SX, and tighter too. But not terrible like the Eclipse. I might get a longer shift **** to solve the problem. An eGay NISMO aluminum shift-****?

 

oh yea, the stock throw is way shorter than other cars, like my 93 mazda 626. that thing shifted like a semi