tallguylehigh

Well, we knew it was coming, here's a picture of the automatic that might be the only option in the base RX-8.

Here it is.

It is on one of the pages in the article, I want to say page 2 or 3. I dunno, it looks... odd, kind of out of place in a car like the RX-8, much like the automatic in the FD :o

Elara

Did you notice the color variation thing on that page? Are those the actual colors they're going to offer, do you think? If so, looks like Titanium made the cut-WHOOHOO!!

KKMmaniac

Thanks for the info tallguylehigh.

Regarding the slushbox, given a world without traffic; I'd have no reservations about going with Mazda's famous crisp-shifting 6-speed stick. But I'm thinking I'll like not having to do the old clutch/gearshift shuffle when I'm stuck everyday, on that great parking lot we call the freeway.

I just wish the autobox didn't carry the HP and RPM deficit. I think the handling and other attributes of the RX-8 can make up for the performance loss though.

Puppy1

Traffic in Minnesota???? Since when?

KKMmaniac

Ohhh, most noticably since about 1992 or so. I don't think it would hold a candle to the traffic in L.A.; it was bad enough in 1986 when I lived there briefly. (after they become passe, we catch up with all the trends there eventually, except nice weather and earthquakes)

Quick_lude

Interesting how there is no p2,3,4,d.. Just D and +/-

Quick_lude

I'm liking the two tone black/chocolate interior theme..

BryanH

So where is it written that the auto tranny will be standard on the RX-8? On most cars it's an extra-cost option, with the manual tranny being standard.

Grimace

Auto tranny is standard (well, mandatory) on the low-power version, and the World of Wheels article eluded to the fact that it will be the base model, and that you'll have to shell out a few more clams to get 250 HP, upgraded brakes/suspension, and a 6-speed.

Sputnik

I'm not. The combination of the dark tan and the light gray just doesn't work, IMO.

---jps

BryanH

Hmm, that's not what they were saying at SevenStock. Mazda said the 6spd would be standard, as I recall (as would LSD!).

tallguylehigh

Aaaahhhhh!!! So many conflicting stories, my head is starting to hurt.
:p

I think that is the piece of information that the forum is most curious about. Hmmm... maybe a poll is in order? :D

WankelWannabe

Man I hope you're right!

BryanH

Here's what I posted the day after SevenStock, regarding what Mazda officials said at that time.

I just hope they haven't changed these plans (except for the Bose, they can ditch that anytime ).

Hercules

If it's fully loaded at 31k I'll be one very happy camper.

If it isn't however, then I won't be getting the car, as it's out of the price range I want to spend right now. Hope Mazda can stay true to this.

BryanH

I don't remember where I read this (probably here ) but the RENESIS is cheaper for Mazda to produce than the V6 in the 6s sedan. That probably goes a ways to help reduce their costs for the RX-8. And if they do produce ~50,000 worldwide in the first year, economies of scale should give them another advantage over the S2k, for example.

Snrub

Who's going to buy the low powered auto RX-8s? How many people would buy a 3rd Gen RX-7 with a 12A? An auto 6s would be mighty temping to many over an auto RX-8.

KKMmaniac

Well Mr. Snrub:

As for the 3rd gen. with the 12A: maybe not, but the naturally aspirated 13B of that time would have been a good alternative to the turbo motor. At least for those who wanted the crisp handling of the FD in a lighter, simpler, and cheaper car without as many reliability issues. Although it wouldn't have had the killer velocity of the twin turbo, maybe it would have allowed the rotary to stay on the U.S. market longer.

I'm sure the lower powered Renesis w/auto won't be as popular as the 6-speed, but at least one person (I) might like the automatic for the sake of ease of driving, and would be willing to give up a bit in the way of straight-line performance. Hopefully, not too much though!

The 6 looks like a nice car, but it doesn't have what it takes (the Wankel, rear wheel drive, lower and centralized weight) for me to be interested in owning one. Anyway, if I get the RX-8 with a slushbox, I'll still have my 85' RX-7 with 5-speeds to row through when I feel like it.

wakeech

i'm not so sure about that... you've gotta remember that this car isn't going to have the same audience as the RX-7 did... it'll be a kind of blend of people looking for something smaller and sportier than a V6 Accord/whatever, and those lookin for something larger and more utile than their sports car they've had for years and years.

some of these people will be over the stick shift, and would welcome a torquey, simple automatic. some people may not even think that they'd like to have a stick in the first place... let's not also forget how many people may like this car, and not know how to drive it (or their spouse doesn't know how, or their children don't know how, etc...), but need to have a car flexible, should the need arise, yes??

so, this car should be plenty successful in automatic trim as well.

KKMmaniac

Good points wakeech. And as I get older and lazier, others will get older and lazier too!