Thinking about getting an 2006 that has 72,000 miles. I talked to a specialist and he said that he wouldn't recommend buying an RX 8 that is an automatic and that I should expect issues. This will be my first sports car. What do you all think. What has been your overall experience.

The car will mainly be used for going to events and meetings ~ 200 miles per week.

I have an older car that will serve as a daily.

 

nothing wrong with automatic as long as you keep up the maintenance and open her up regularly.
theres an automatic forum on here where you can see what other people say about owning an automatic.

 

There won't be any issues. If you really want an automatic RX-8, '06 or later is the right thing. It's got the six port engine and the six speed transmission.

But why get an auto? A lot of the fun of a sports car is shifting gears, letting the engine wind to 9000 rpm, learning to downshift and heel and toe.

Ken

 

Thanks. I am new to the sports car arena. What is meant by open her up?

 

Thanks. Auto? B/c I am conditioned to driving automatics. I just can't resist how slick these cars are.

 

If ya want an auto get an 06 or higher as mentioned... Open up means to move the tach needle to the red area then shift...

 

Thanks.

Shift to what gear? (new to this!)

 

Since its auto, ill do it for you, unless you tiptronic it up make sure you slap the bitch at red line

 

just put your foot down and keep the needle go near the redzone.
its an automatic it does it for you. (which is boring)

 

Are you kidding? Auto? and a sports car? They don't go together!
Get a stick 6 speed,..only way to go. Fun driving and not letting the auto drive it for you,

 

What they are trying to say is that the engine really does much better when it gets into the upper RPM ranges on a regular basis. Once a day is not bad. This blows out carbon that has a tendency to collect if all you do is putt putt around.

With an auto, that mean you have to make sure it does not shift until it gets there. Easier with a manual, just hold a shift.

 

First thing you want to do is make sure the seller installs new plugs.

No plugs ... no sale.

 

Or make sure the guy has documentation of them being changed recently. Maat- I bought an '06 MT with 59k miles. Just got it checked out by a master certified Mazda tech and got a clean bill of health. Haven't had to pay anything either for my car after 1.5 months. All of it was free for some reason because of the clutch pedal recall for MT's. You buying it private or dealer?

 

Honestly, do not get an auto. A lot of people buy this car and can't get over how slow it is from 0-60 and the lack of torque and the auto is 100% worse. The tranny can't spin to 9,200 RPMs. That being said- this is not a drag car and I don't expect it to have good straight line speeds. So maybe it won't bother you.

 

^ not everyone is a rocket racer.

In fact most people could care less.

He likes the looks and soon will like the feedback from the road.

Auto is the way to go. Traffic is too heavy to own a stick.

 

I'm just giving my honest opinion.... I live in south Florida and traffic can be as bad here as anywhere and the manual is no issue. And not caring if your sports car has 800 hp is different than it being lagitamatly slow.

 

Slow is good, saves gas!

 

lol Razz! What about this car saves gas? Ever? For anyone! I'm pretty sure there's a dgv (dump gas valve) in this car that operates when running to save weight or something.

 

Someone should tell buddy that! Hey buddy, get ready for 16mpg.... See you on the Honda forums. =)

 

Why?

He wants to experience the ownership of a sports car. They are all the same in that matter.

Drink gas.

 

Saves gas...RX-8...does not compute...

Anyway, sports cars are for fun, or second childhood, or first childhood, whatever. People should get what tickles them.

Ken

 

For me. Automatic all the way. I will still be cruising and coasting just like everyone else....

 

 

Thanks!
so in other words. put the pedal to the hot diggity metal?

 

^ Just relax and drive.

At least, your just using your right foot only.