Hey, I just bought a used 2004 Silver Rx-8 6MT 9k miles with black/red leather and navigation from California and am waiting upon its arrival. This is my first car and was wondering how the transmission is?? I have been practicing on my dad's 2004 BMW M3 and the gearbox is very rough (Maybe because of all the power hahah) but I'm wondering if anyone would no how the RX-8's would compare to the M3's. Thank you very much!!

 

I've never driven an M3, but the transmission feels decent. The gears change smoothly unless you are trying to go into first while moving, or not used to shifting to reverse (You have to push down and back to go to reverse and if you don't do it all the way you end up grinding gears).

The biggest thing you'll notice is the car revs easily and if you're not used to it, shifting can be jerky and stalling can happen if you're caught off guard.

Nothing a few weeks of driving can't fix

 

Like buttah

 

real smooth, but the clutch takes some getting used to. Took about a weeks worth of driving to get it down

 

haven't tried the M3 (i'd die for that though) but the tranny in my 8 is one of the best i've seen in a car. although i read from mags that its not good when driving hard/shifting fast, from my own experience i can tell this doesn't happen(at least in my car). it always stood there for me when i needed it

 

It is superb - smooth, short shifter with a solid feel, nice close ratios....

Every car requires a little getting used to - to feel where the clutch grabs, best modulation of clutch/throttle, etc.

 

Have not driven the M3, but second day with a beautiful new black 8. I have noticed the engine is so smooth and quiet that you have to really pay attention when starting in 1st gear. It takes more throttle than I am used to to keep it from stalling (have not stalled yet, but come close). Also, the shift ranges are very close when breaking in the car, and 5th and particularly 6th gear take some getting used to to find them. Also, the clutch is pretty strong when compared to my last car.

I imagine it will loosen up with time.

 

I used to own an E36 M3 and have test driven the E46 M3 many times. While the power in the current M3 is awesome, I like the shifting feel of the RX-8 better. It has a shorter throw and is smoother.

 

Yea..i have an M3 too...I think the rx8 and the M3 are a lot alike as far as how it shifts and what not...If the M3 is the first car you've ever driven that is stick, it takes some getting use to...the clutch on the Rx8 is a little smoother...but for me..it was like driving the same car..