afdds

My DH's 325BMW died this week. Looking into the RX8 as a replacement. Can't really afford the upgraded packages. Is anyone out there happy with the 4 spd automatic. With an MSRP of 25,000, I need to keep it simple. Thinking about the 05 instead of the 06. Any help?

zaglo6204

what year is the bmw?

anyway, dealers are getting pretty desperate to clear out the 05's, so you should be able find VERY good deals if you look around & do some bargaining. there have been folks on here talking about $8000 (yes, 8 thousand) off of the dealer invoice (or maybe MSRP), for well equipped cars, so it might not be quite as crazy of a deal for a base auto.

also, the one complaint for 4-spd. auto owners is typically power, & acceleration, which is a bit lacking...

just look through the forum for more details for your questions, as most have been discussed.

afdds

I'm glad I found this forum and will continue to pour through the information. DH's BMW is a 93 with 123,000 miles Total made in Germany. Picked up doing overseas tour. Needs lots of work. Brakes, ball joints, exhaust. First quote to fix- $4,000 second quote around $2,000 Interior needs work and paint job is gone. Kelly Blue Book- $1,500

Shopping around for a replacement instead of fixing it up.

Thanks for the help.

Rich Rx-8

The handling is so nice, get the SPORT AUTO, forget the GRAND TOURINGpkg, way to expensive and not worth it for the options you get. I think it's the most fun i've ever had in any car.
4 spd auto is a great choice don't let anyone tell you that it isn't!! Just remember that you need to keep up with the oil and oil changes and warm your car up properly everyday. I bought mine last June and haven't had a single issue at all. I wouldn't be happier with any car in this price range.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

IMO you should look for the 6 speed manual '05s..... if not, then wait for the '06 automatics, which will have upgraded engine, as well as a SIX-SPEED automatic transmission...

khtm

Do a search for alll the people in this forum that bought an AT, ended up regretting it, and lost money switching to an MT.

Unless you're handicapped or really old, there's no reason to waste the potential and driver-centric feel that the RX-8 has on an automatic transmission, especially one mated with an underpowered engine that's prone to problems.

Here's some help:
https://www.rx8club.com/lounge-4/traded-auto-8-6spd-first-manual-76684/
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/i-did-traded-my-04at-05mt-59136/
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/traded-auto-manual-but-how-drive-56230/
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/trading-t-m-t-82519/
https://www.rx8club.com/purchasing-financing-insurance-56/car-swapping-60514/
https://www.rx8club.com/polls-70/manual-automatic-79341/

Rich Rx-8

Well AT is good if you drink coffee while driving, of if you don't wanna pay that much attention to your car on your commute to work in the morning, multitasking etc. I have no regrets and I would never switch to MT.

Rich Rx-8

Some people just don't need the whole "every limb being used" in morning traffic. I think the AT is much better for business men who talk on their cell phone and drink coffee in the morning like myself. I have my fun on the weekends but evey morning I have to mulititask in my car, so def not worth it for everyone.

afdds

Hey, I'm not in my teens anymore, but I'm sure not over the hill yet! DH had standard in the BMW and wanted to try the AT. Will do ask khtm suggested and read on.

ZoomZoomH - I'm worried that if I wait for the 06, the price might jump back into the high 20's or low 30's. Just thought I might save extra money buying the 05, maybe DH should consider the manual.

Anyone out there think I should just put 2 grand into the BMW and stop shopping?

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

^for best bang-for-dollar value, an end-of-year 2005 6 speed manual RX-8 Base model or Sport model would be your best choice, i *think* people are paying like 23k-24k for them...

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

oh, and check mazdausa.com for latest incentives available for leftover 2005's

Rich Rx-8

And if you need more power get a different car not a different transmission because you don't get much more for the MT maybe one second 0-60. The whole power obsession is so funny and not worth it at all. This isn't Need for Speed it's real life. Go race in video games if you need a safer thrill alternative. If you race by me on a road while i have kids in my car I'll drag you out of your car and and give you a manual knockout.

Cooder

I drink tea all the time while driving my MT. No problems at all. And I would never switch to AT. AT doesn't make sense for the RX8.

afdds

Boy, you guys get tough! I'm checking the Mazda wed site as I type. Multi-tasking! We are active duty Air Force, so maybe something will come up for military.

Don't think there will be too many kids in the back seat. I'm just worried that my DD (18) will want to drive it! She can't drive a manual. Tried her on the Beamer and it was hopeless!

Cooder

Ok, hold on. With all due respect and if you wouldn't mind, WHAT IN THE HEEEEELLLLLLLL is DH and DD? My God!!!!!!!

khtm

Way to go buddy. You're one of those jerks that does everything BUT drive. How long until you kill someone? I hope you realize that your "multitasking" is equivalent to driving drunk.

It's actually ~1.5 seconds which is a HUGE difference. I find it ironic that you can lecture someone about "racing" but you openly admit to not paying attention while you drive.

nolarx8

wtf are you talking in codes

Rich Rx-8

Drinking coffee is paying attention, it actually makes people more attentive and is proven by modern science!! And driving an auto with one hand is not the equiv to driving drunk? You're on another planet buddy!

Rich Rx-8

You must be from the same planet that your avatar is from.

Rich Rx-8

And for the guy drinking tea, he should be driving a miata for sure! haha

Cooder

You guys are cracking me up. In code that's: YGACMU. I'm laughing now just looking at that avatar!

saturn

I believe DH and DD are Dear Husband and Dear Daughter respectively.

afdds, just want to make sure you're clear on this. The '06 autos have the same engine and transmission gearing that the manuals have always had (only difference will be the redline limits are 1.5k lower than the MT's). The '05 and before AT's have a slightly weaker engine and only a 4-speed tranny. I know cost is a factor for you, but just keep that in mind. Good luck.

Detrich

i think it depends on your budget. spending a few thousand bucks fixing a car that's paid off is different than applying that money towards a down payment and incurring new debt for a new car. personally, for a '93 3-series, i'd let it go. bmw really didn't get the 3 shining until the late 90's models.

interestingly enough, most bmw owners that i know- including myself- fall i love w/ the 8 for some reason. not to say that the 3 beamers don't handle well and aren't a blast to drive. it's just that in comparison, the 8 is even more fun to drive...

afdds

Saturn- Your right DD (dear daughter) DH (dear husband).

Hey nolarx8- I got the WTF but we won't go there. No matter what car or truck I was driving if it didn't have a cup holder, I wouldn't be drinking anything!

Detrich- I agree with you about the money and the BMW. Ok, here is another question. Can anyone tell me about the cost of regular maintenance and the over all cost of something like a muffler or engine work. Will the RX8 be as bad as the BMW. I guess what I'm really asking is will the RX8 because of the Rotary engine have to go into an import dealer to get fixed. Say compared to a Ford Mustang that can go to the Ford Dealer. Just a normal service call on the BMW put me over the edge.

Thank for all the help I've been receiving!

Ike

TTS