Okay I bought a 6 spd 2005 RX8 a few months ago and figured my wife could drive it because many of you insisted that all women could do it as easy as the guys. Well after a few months it's pretty well clear that the stick is not for everyone - especially here in the Big Apple during rush hour (which is every hour). I can imagine it would be nerve recking and high pressure for a rookie.

So I'm thinking of getting a new city car by trading in the 8. I was thinking of the Honda Fit. I don't care what I drive if it's auto so I don't mind the step down to econobox/utility/gas sipping sled.

My question is; how much should I expect on a trade in for my white 2005 RX8 6spd, GT, appearance it, 3500 miles. I figure it should be worth more than a new Fit with tax so what does the dealer do? Cut me a check?

If anyone can give me some tips as to what to expect I would appreciate it.

Oh and here is a tip from me to you: If your GF/wife owns only stilettos and no running shoes - chances are she won't and can't drive stick in my city!

One last thing - if anyone wants to consider trading their auto 8 for my 6spd in NY, NJ, CT, and PA give me a holla.

 

hmm my has no tennis shoes but then again she takes off her heels and just drive bare footed lol, till she gets to destination. but gl on your next car. hope things work out for yah. btw its FRIDAY

 

i just priced a fit with just about everything you could add- you should be fine . of course you are going to take a mega depreciation hit

 

I'd say your car is worth maybe $21-23K. Try Craigslist.org.

Or send your wife to driving school.

 

I can tell you from experience that you are better off selling this car on your own. 1 week ago I took my car into the dealer for a trade-in and was offered $20K. That was a Ford dealer chipping-in to make the deal. The salesman said they had a tough time finding any dealer willing to pay more than $19K. Mind you I was trading in a 2005 Shinka 6MT with Appearance pkg and 12,000 miles. Seeing as your's is a GT you would probably only get $18K tops. I was lucky enough to sell mine to a private party for $25K and it only took me 3 weeks (I created the ad before taking the car into the dealer).

If you have some time.....definitely try to sell it on your own.

 

I can't believe nobody wants to trade their AT in for a 6spd. If you had this up about 6 months ago before I traded my auto in for a 6spd I would have jumped on it.

 

You could easily sell it for $20-21K and still get more than a trade-in. Honda Fit seems to be a great car. Good luck finding one at MSRP.

 

Your wife clearly isn't making an effort to learn. I have taught the most clueless valley girls how to drive stick no problem. However, maybe you're not a good teacher.

 

If it has to be auto you should look at getting a GTI. The DSG is pure sex. It's the perfect thing for those who want to drive manual, but can't due to extraneous circumstances.

 

Blue Eyes you always seem to rub me the wrong way... I can teach people to drive in the suburbs, highways, and parking lots - yes even my wife can drive in the Target parking lot. But I realize that driving in New York City is not the same as the roads lined with lush green lawns that drive by on your way to work. This is the concrete jungle here and the traffic is sick at all times of the day. Driving a stick is something I put up with so I can enjoy the rare blast down curvy country roads upstate. My wife just can't find a reason why she should have to put up with stickin' n clutchin' every 2 yards.

Bascho, thanks for the approximate figure.

But even I am surprised that no one wants in on potentially good trade. I had one offer before I can't remember the member name. Oh and BTW I would prefer to trade for a 2005 or 2006 auto.

 

I have a 2004 Titanium Grey GT with about 22,500 miles if interested. I'm located in Long Island, NY.

 

It always cracks me up how people from NY and NJ act like they have the worst traffic in the world. I've spent a decent amount of time out there and it's really not that bad compared to many other metropolitan areas across the country.

Tell your wife to get some new shoes or get her own damn car What exactly does she do for a living if she only owns stilletos?

 

I have a white 05 GT auto and would be interested but I live in Texas. Plans for a road trip?

 

Divorce her for someone that knows how to drive stick. Problem solved.

 

How about this little beauty ,,,6700 miles on it, Sport Package AT
Windows have been tinted since these pics Rear 5% Front 20%

 

Take your time. Take her to a local school and teach her slow and then work your speed up. She can do it.
This is why I did not get a stick. My Girl tells me she cant get it. I say its no big deal. But oh well. Next time. I can live with it.

 

Ike: Even someone such as yourself over time would love to be able to turn your EVO into an automatic for certain moments if you lived and traveled in NYC on a regular basis. Of course I'm basing this on the assumption that you don't drive 10 feet, stop,5 feet stop, 50 to 100 more feet and stop almost all day and every day, like I have in the past, otherwise you'd never own an EVO. (forgive me if you do and have in fact done this on a regular daily basis for a long period of time, as I am wrong in my assumption). I own the cars I own now because I no longer have to do what this gentleman is doing. I went years owning beaters for NYC. I don't even see how any manual sports car can be fun in NYC I'd love to see you living in NYC driving around in your EVO right through the theatre district of Manhattan to Queens and back all the time, then have you type what you just wrote. hehe


What's worse is purely subjective, and depends on where you are traveling. Sure other metropolitan cities can be just as bad or worse, but you can't deny the overall densley populate area. I understand this guys dilemma, and what's always worse is what you experience. I have found in my many years of traveling in Chicago, Detroit, Baltimore, Philly, and Washington DC, that NYC/Metro NJ is definitely the least likely area overall where you want to own a manual. I don't have enough experience in other cities to compare, but driving in NYC regularly sucks, and I can see how a manual can make things worse for A LOT of people. This is why most own automatics who live there, and in other rough cities throughout the country.

 

I really appreciate the offers to trade. I've replied to all of you - if I haven't then send me a PM again. I'm just searching for someone to trade with - I didn't think I would get any response so I'm pretty happy I can still manage to drive an 8 - even if it's auto! My wife is very happy too.

I hope everything works out. I look forward to more postings and replies to my PM's. Oh and even the "divorce her for a stick driver" comments are welcome! LOL