AT lmited to GT model in Canada in 2009
03-09-2009, 05:33 PM
#1
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
AT lmited to GT model in Canada in 2009
For those of us over 6'2", the sun roof (or moon roof, whatever) makes it so you can't fit in the GT. So we tall fellas have to get the GS. But guess what, if you go to the "build your own mazda" you find that in 2009, unlike previous years, you can't opt for AT (with those neat paddle shifters) on the GS, only on GT. Now that sucks. 
In USA, you can get AT on the GS or "Touring" version, correct?
In USA, you can get AT on the GS or "Touring" version, correct?
03-09-2009, 05:45 PM
#2
Grand Chancellor
Am I understanding right.... u want an automatic GS RX-8? If so, please step away from whatever you have been smoking and rethink your decision very very very carefully. 
03-09-2009, 05:56 PM
#3
grass hopper
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Guelph, Ontario
Posts: 1,195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
so put on your big boy pants and get a manual. lol. im only kidding...well, patially. I think the idea of the GS model is to be as cheap as possible. so it would make senes to not even have an auto as an option to me. plus, you dont see many GS autos in the 08 and older models anyways. if you are willing to shell out exta coin for an auto, then you are likely the person that will want the sunroof and other crap that comes with the GT package anyways. dont imagine everyone has the same problem as you do with the sunroof/head room issue.
03-09-2009, 06:54 PM
#6
grass hopper
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Guelph, Ontario
Posts: 1,195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
03-09-2009, 07:11 PM
#7
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mississauga, ON
Posts: 703
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. :P
I was ready to buy my car without sunroof but the dealer couldn't find any in my colour so I had to pay an extra bit of money on my lease. I think it was a $1000 option if i recall.
edit: nevermind. I just checked mazda.ca and moonroof is listed as a GT feature. Maybe they changed it, maybe I'm crazy, though I'm pretty sure it's the former.
I was ready to buy my car without sunroof but the dealer couldn't find any in my colour so I had to pay an extra bit of money on my lease. I think it was a $1000 option if i recall.
edit: nevermind. I just checked mazda.ca and moonroof is listed as a GT feature. Maybe they changed it, maybe I'm crazy, though I'm pretty sure it's the former.
Last edited by qtwre; 03-09-2009 at 07:17 PM.
03-09-2009, 08:47 PM
#8
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd love a GT if I could get it with AT but without the sunroof. Otherwise my head hits the roof. I loved the paddle shifters on my 2004 Rx-8 - at that time it was my first company car (leased to me) and there was a ceiling on the price tag so I had to be satisfied with GS rather than GT, and even then the GT only came with the damn sunroof. I can't drive a standard, though I had tried it but it was just too frustrating. Smash forehead on keyboard to continue...
03-09-2009, 09:04 PM
#9
grass hopper
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Guelph, Ontario
Posts: 1,195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd love a GT if I could get it with AT but without the sunroof. Otherwise my head hits the roof. I loved the paddle shifters on my 2004 Rx-8 - at that time it was my first company car (leased to me) and there was a ceiling on the price tag so I had to be satisfied with GS rather than GT, and even then the GT only came with the damn sunroof. I can't drive a standard, though I had tried it but it was just too frustrating. Smash forehead on keyboard to continue...
man, i see little old ladies driving standard proteges and mazda 3s all the time at work. before i was kidding about the "big boy pants" remark but now maybe not.....its frusturating to learn. but you only need to learn once. you are really robbing yourself of alot of plearsure just because you are giving up on something that millions of people do successfully all day everyday. and as far as manual sports cars go, the rx8 is among the easiest i've driven besides a miata.
qtwre...im almost sure GTs come with the sunroof, uprated sound system (more speakers or something), leather heated and power (drivers side only) seats, and DSC/traction control. that would be the differnce between all 04-08 GSs and GTs IIRC. I think it would be strange to have something like that as an option and for it to be rare to see one without. i mean its not like they would say oh, its an extra 100 bucks, sure ill get it. its an exensive option on cars that its deinfitly an option for...it seems like its split 50/50 with and without on cars that its an option for. thats all im saying. that being said im gonna see tomorrow if i can dig up some old brochures at work to figure this out. its bugging me now. lol
03-09-2009, 09:20 PM
#11
Registered User
03-09-2009, 09:56 PM
#12
Registered
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm 6'1" and it's not like I'm graceful deer or something. I wear a 32" length pair of jeans yet I'm 73" tall and I fit well enough in my car. Wearing a helmet during Auto-X is a bit annoying but my reasoning was 'really how often am I going to be wearing a helmet...'
It's probably how you sit in the seat or how the seat is positioned.
Secondly, the reason people are telling you not to get an automatic is because unlike every other car I know of, the automatic gearbox has a different engine compared to the manual/standard model. The engine is still a 1.3 two rotor but you lose 2000 rpm off the top of the engine and the power and torque curves are much different compared to the full-fat, 9300 rpm screamer that the manual transmission gets. The result is the whole feel of the car is just wrong. It's not just because the enthusiast likes the feel of a manual transmission, it's that the engine the automatic gets kind of takes anyway from the soul of the car.
It's probably how you sit in the seat or how the seat is positioned.
Secondly, the reason people are telling you not to get an automatic is because unlike every other car I know of, the automatic gearbox has a different engine compared to the manual/standard model. The engine is still a 1.3 two rotor but you lose 2000 rpm off the top of the engine and the power and torque curves are much different compared to the full-fat, 9300 rpm screamer that the manual transmission gets. The result is the whole feel of the car is just wrong. It's not just because the enthusiast likes the feel of a manual transmission, it's that the engine the automatic gets kind of takes anyway from the soul of the car.
03-09-2009, 10:33 PM
#13
Registered
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Montreal,QC
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah seriously, get the manual version for this car, It's even worth learning to drive stick just for this car. Also, Sunroof was an option on my 04, I checked it when we got it. Even if I'm only 5'8" I see much more headroom for a guy that's 6 foot +!
Sad thing about this car is that the navigation system is a 2600$ OPTION!!! You can get a better one for much less than that!
Sad thing about this car is that the navigation system is a 2600$ OPTION!!! You can get a better one for much less than that!
03-10-2009, 10:09 AM
#17
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mississauga, ON
Posts: 703
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Some people have proportionately long torsos and short legs. Maybe our friend here is of of them.
btw, why not just get an 08 or 07 gs auto if they don't have them in 09?
If I recall, the GS auto combo was the only model not to come with a limited slip differential. That's rough.
btw, why not just get an 08 or 07 gs auto if they don't have them in 09?
If I recall, the GS auto combo was the only model not to come with a limited slip differential. That's rough.
03-10-2009, 11:51 AM
#20
Registered 407 Abuser
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Markham/Mississauga
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
03-10-2009, 11:54 AM
#21
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Some people have proportionately long torsos and short legs. Maybe our friend here is of of them.
btw, why not just get an 08 or 07 gs auto if they don't have them in 09?
If I recall, the GS auto combo was the only model not to come with a limited slip differential. That's rough.
btw, why not just get an 08 or 07 gs auto if they don't have them in 09?
If I recall, the GS auto combo was the only model not to come with a limited slip differential. That's rough.
03-10-2009, 05:22 PM
#23
Registered
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i am surprised you even want a AT most french are quit european and love to drive stick.....not to be stereotypical or anything...i wouldnt even buy an 8 out there with the way people drive....
03-10-2009, 05:36 PM
#24
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I went through the AT bashing when I first joined this forum in 2003 and we were discussing the 2004 first-release models, so it doesn't get under my skin this time. I feel it is a bit late for me to learn stick (I'm 50) even if I do find one of those expert little old ladies to give me lessons. I'll look for a GT with AT but without sunroof or a GS with AT. And to make double sure, I'll try to squeeze into a GT again (I could always stick my head out through the sunroof).
P.S. I'm not French...
P.S. I'm not French...
03-10-2009, 05:54 PM
#25
Registered
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dude you can still drive a manual at 50!
Its wonderful...we will offer free lessons to teach you in your car if you buy it in Toronto!
Lets see...get the car in the morning (3-5 rx8 following the new car); learning for an afternoon; drive all the way back to Montreal!
That will be like LoTR - Lord of the Rotaries...I am sure you will love it!
Its wonderful...we will offer free lessons to teach you in your car if you buy it in Toronto!
Lets see...get the car in the morning (3-5 rx8 following the new car); learning for an afternoon; drive all the way back to Montreal!
That will be like LoTR - Lord of the Rotaries...I am sure you will love it!