Well screwed up the other post so will try a cut & paste...
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Had a Rx-7 back in the old days..gold in color, don't recall maybe a 1979; would have to look at old paperwork somewhere to confirm.

Anyway, just did a test drive in a 06 rx-8 with auto and it was indeed a great ride. My 48 so a stick doesn't seem as much fun with a soda, etc in the car (ok don't shoot me for not wanting a stick)

Just a few quick questions if you don't mind -

1. any problems with the automatics in 06 or 05?

2. yes I know this won't go over well but based on gas prices (and if you could click your heels and change things) would you still keep the mx-8? I won't go into the 'what mileage does your get question'. Besides, to me it is not really so much the extra money spent of fuel that would bug me, rather it would just be knowing that I might be getting less then 16 mpg (ok I up and said a figure so guessing that won't go over well but it is a guess on my part of what the mpg might just with around town/city driving).

3. Any left over 2005 models (live in florida) and if so is there a reason to only get a 2006 instead? For instance does the 2006 have six speeds and 2005 only four (and if so does it really matter anyway)? Plus did the change the option package or enhance it for 2006 automatics compared to what was offered on 2005? Thought I read something about a slip difer.... but will have to check the net for that info.

Course if you tell me to read link such and such on the site since all these questions have already been answered then I probably should just shoot myself now.

thanks from an old rx-7 rider; man that was a fun fun car. course slipping the rear end into the guard rail over the small bridge was not my finest moment.

 

no problems with the automatics when compared to the manual. as long as they get the latest flash updates. just break it in, make sure its warm when you turn off, check oil. regular rotary stuff.

i don't really care for gas mileage, but a lot of people do. so if you are one of those that do then... i don't think you should get it. not everyone gets bad mileage, but a majority get less than the stated epa estimates.

difference from the 05 to the 06 is about 197 hp to 212 hp. nothing else really.

 

OK Motor,, the '05 RX-8 AT is a four speed. 197hp
The '06 RX-8 AT is a six speed. 212hp
As far as problems ,,I personally have not had any major problems with the 2 '05 8's we have had. The first one 21000 miles.
The second one 3000 miles. So far.
The warranty covered a trans mount in the first one we had.
The dealer looked at a couple of "quirks" ,second to third gear sportmode shifting,
if you have been in second gear for a bit at higher rpm's 5000-6000,
and you shift into third the engine revs up about 1000 rpm.
Kinda like an old transmission with bands low on fluid.
Does not do it all the time,,intermittant.
Dealer never did find anything wrong with it.
Now I am noticeing that the new 8 does the same thing. Hmmmmm.
Kinda freaky, no one else has these occurances in the transmission operation.
Oh and limited slip and DSC come with all Packages. Just not with the Base Model.
All in all I love the car. And we get 20+ mpg

 

thanks Easy E1, sounds like something other then the base model would be in order. Don't know, might look into what lease offers they have going on. What to see what the pearl white looks like. Saw a CX-7 in that color (though did not drive that model). Have a highlander at the moment so the CX-7 seems interesting though read it too does not do good on gas.

Anyway guess the rx-8 would have to be a play toy anyway though nav would be great. Does that special model they have out now come in a auto or only a stick and if in auto can u get it in white?

That could make a good lease rx-8 I would think.

 

I have an 04'T a/t and love it. Its my seventh rotary, my first was a 71' RX-2. If money is not a problem get the 06'. You can check around at dealers and save many(as much as 8k)thousands on last years models. After you go build a car on the Mazda-USA site, call or go to a dealer and they will find one if they feel you are serious. By the way the auto gets better MPG then the stick. I have got as low as 17 around town and regular get 23+ on hwy.

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayHomepage.action

 

the 06 is not only a 6 speed vs the old 4 speed but it is the 6port engine vs the previous 4port engine. get the 2006. you'll be better off in th elong run.

dont worry about your typing- i hold the record here for bad typing and you arent anywhere close to me yet

 

 

you just asked for it up there. lol

 

If you are trying to get a good deal then you might want call around. There may still be some new 05's out there. I bought an 05 GT M/T about three weeks ago that only had 68 miles on it. I Paid right around $25,000 including taxes & tags....I feel I got a good deal.

 

The '06 should be noticeably faster than the 04/05s not only because af the 15 more horsepower and 6-port engine--but because of the tranny. The 4-ports achilles heel is the gearing of the auto as it is those cars are 0-60 in 7.8 ish at best--the 6-speed autos should be in the low 7s to 60. If that doesn't matter to you then you may be able to get a good deal on the 05--I have an 04 a/t and haven't had any problems and I enjoy the car a lot. The handling is still the same feel as the manual--its just not as quick.

 

I agree. If I didn't have the 4spd, I might look at the '06, but I wouldn't consider trading for one. The real disadvantage of the new one: getting from 6th to some usable gear is a pain in the *** on the '06 when some revs are needed (passing, emergency, etc). It's quite easy on the 4spds.

The '06 final drive is 4.3 vice 4.44. The '06 top gear is .54 vice .69. Makes for some low cruising rpms, and better mileage I'd guess. However, if you need any grunt for whatever reason, you're probably going to need 3 downshifts, and the 6spd downshifts noticeably slower than the 4spd (on my one test drive experience (Mx-5)).

Definately get at least the Sport package if you can, it comes with lots of goodies you wouldn't otherwise get (traction ctrl, better brakes, xenon lights, etc), though some of that may now be standard on the '06's. Touring adds sunroof (and costs headroom), GT adds heavy motorized leather seats and some other crap.

'04 Touring, 62k miles, no problems other than a motor mount that needs replacing, 17/25 city/hwy, 1qt every 1500-2000 miles.

 

I'd definately pass on the GT option if you are just getting it to get leather---get aftermarket leather--better quality and cheaper.

 

The only "must have" in the GT package (for 2006) is the cool key. I hear it's sorta quirky, but it's teh c00LzerZ.

 

I have the 06 AT w/ GT package. The new 6-speed transmission is a dream! Smooth and responsive!!! Blew away a little blue Lotus with it in Manual mode. Way too much fun!!!

 

Lotus what...cause all Lotus except for the Elan can own RX8s---manual or auto.

 

The 06 has new leather that I think is far better than the 05.

 

Mine has worked 100% of the time so far (he says while knocking on wood)