I just downloaded the presskit PDF file from the mazda site and I noticed that for Europe it was listed in the emmisions section only the 5 speed Std and 6 speed performance models. Does this mean that nobody in Europe can import an automatic model? That would suck. I was ready to order an AT one!!! GRrrrrrrrrrrr

 

Why? Sports cars = manual , especialy high revving ones...

AT is the work of teh debil!

 

Agreed, I still struggle to understand why anyone but old people, incompetent drivers and city dwellers would want an automatic in *any* car anyway (and I drive a lot of cars in a lot of situations), but that situation is only magnified when it comes to sports and performance vehicles, they need to be manual, paddles with a (very) responsive gearbox are passable, but manual is still better overall.

Good on Mazda for not allowing people in Europe to ruin the car with a "plonk it and leave it" stick

 

OMG, haven't we beat the living crap out of this topic already?

 

It makes me smile :D, all the posts in the main forum from our US colleagues worrying about how to learn to use a 'stick', when it is such second nature over here and hardly anyone learns on an auto.

I know there are some circumstances where some people might need an auto, but by choice? Never!

No if it was something like Audi's new DSG then that is a different story.....

 

we should have no auto here in the states also

 

my two pence,

as an alternative to the '8 i have been giving serious thought to getting a second hand BMW 530d, (most of which seem to have auto)

to be honest most of my car use is limited to 20mph crawls through town, or 50mph road work avoidance on some of our country's more popular motorways.

having borrowed my old man's 9-5 aero auto, an auto box with a good thump of torque would be easy to live with.

the '8 will have to be sufficiently involving for weekend use to cary the day (fingers crossed for that eventuality)

 

Auto ? RX8 ?

Perhaps you would all like a diesel too ?

 

Hey... it's a (fairly) free country!

If they offer auto, and someone wants auto, let 'em have auto. With two healthy legs, personally I would HATE to have this car as an auto. If I didn't have fully functioning legs tomorrow, I would still want the RX8 and I'd have no choice but an auto. Others have their reasons for preferring auto - easier? lazier?... whatever!

Or, another way to look at it... When Mazda were assessing the viability of this car, each estimated sale allowed Mazda to reduce the price a little, in order to sell more (simple economics). So each person who buys an auto helps to keep the cost down for those of us who prefer to drive the car oursleves

 

i was considering getting an automatic vehicle not an 8. purely because i spent most of my time on the north circular or the M25 and it hurt the foot and wrist constantly shifting up and down gears. I now no longer do that journey and would never consider it again. simple but lasting statement prevails...


SPORTY FUN = MANUAL