Hello everyone, my name is Bruce and I am newly registered with the forum. I just test drove an RX-8 last night with an automatic transmission and I have to say that I think that the RX-8 is the car for me. The only problem is I would really prefer the power of the manual version, yet I have never owned a manual car. So I guess that this is a request for owner's opinions about their cars. Do you automatic guys out there feel like you made the wrong choice (i.e. lack of power)? I would really like to know from the manual guys if this is an easy car to learn stick, or should I look elsewhere for experience? Any help / opinions are appreciated.

 

Here are some threads discussing learning manual, benefits of a manual, and manual vs. auto. There are plenty more threads out there, but here are a few to start you off.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...t=Manual+learn

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...t=Manual+learn

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...t=Manual+learn

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...t=Manual+learn

 

Give yourself a week driving the manual, and you'll be comfortable with it. The clutch in the rx-8 is pretty light, which is better for learning. Sure, you'll end up burning the clutch up a bit at first, but the wear is worth it for the extra power and driving feel.

 

You wont getthe full "kick" from the car unlessyou buy it in manual. However afterabout 60mph the auto and manual drive about the same. At any rate the bestperformance from the Rx8 comes in manual. Plus there are barely any mods available for the auto whilethere are more and more for the manual eachday. Thenagain if you dont caretoo much about the 2 seconds faster pickup from the manualthan just get an auto. Id say that this would bea funcar to learn how to drive stick in though.

 

Bruce-
I'll add that the RX-8's manual tranny is very smooth and easy to learn on, and the rotary is so smooth it doesn't bog down at surprisingly low RPMs so you don't stall as easy as you would with some cars.

For me, it was a no-brainer- I don't like auto's (except for the semi-auto in the high end BMW's) because I want to always be in the best possible gear for either performance or fuel economy, depending on where I'm driving and the conditions. I'm also not a fan of constantly riding the brake when in traffic as you do with an auto- I would rather be in a more appropriate gear and use the motor to stay at the correct speed.

I would recommend finding someone with a MT RX8 in your area that would be willing to take you for a spin so you can feel the difference for yourself... but don't let not knowing how be your deterrent.

-Sean

 

Check out this thread... which also seems close to your question:

Anyone unhappy with automatic?

I'll repeat what I said there:
Pros: An undisputed benefit of the AT is that it is $1500 cheaper... enough to buy the winter wheels that someone from OK will need, or perhaps some of the extra fuel you'll be going through. The AT has slightly higher torque (164 lb-ft@5000RPM compared to 159lb-ft@5500RPM), but that's a small difference. The AT is easy to drive in traffic and is condusive to allowing others to drive your car, which I think is benefit -- although this has been disputed. The highway mileage on the AT is supposed to be 1mpg better, but I think AT owners are doing a bit better than that in real-world driving. I'm getting about 18mpg in suburban driving.

Cons: On the down side, the AT is ECU limited to 125mph, about 15 or so mph slower than the MT with its two extra intake ports. It's also been shown that the AT owners are flooding their cars much more than the MT owners (see this thread). I think it may have something to do with the two extra air intakes, but I'm not a mechanic. You will be unable to install Canzoomer's ECU mod to the AT as, last time I checked anyway, he said he had no plans to build one. (Then again, there's another $700 or so saved. Boy, the AT is looking way cheaper!) Gordon has also speculated that the AT may not hold its value very well when the 2006 5-speed AT comes out.

 

I own the automatic. The stick is way more fun and way more powerful. The automatic is fun but to get the full enjoyment go with the stick shift, it just takes getting use to. I did not get stick because to me it's a pain and I have my son in the car alot and with cell phones, drinks etc it's easier with the auto. I am not in it for the speed thing.....more the handling, styling, uniqueness and utility of the back seat etc. it's a beautiful work of art is all I can say!!

 

I just took delivery on my baby today and this is my first manual car. Driving home from the dealer today was my third time driving stick. One of my friends let me try on her car a couple of months ago and then I briefly test drove a manual 8 shortly after that. Thats it. Its not so bad learning on the 8. I feel totally comfortable on my first day today with the exception of that pesky 1st gear. Starting from a stop I either stall it or screech the tires. I haven't found the correct balance yet. I'll drive around a ton tomorrow and hopefully have it down by the end of the day.

 

Congrats! First gear can be tricky, but the RX8 is much more forgiving than the crap boxes I learned on (72 Pinto and 73 Datsun Pickup). Just keep driving... like you needed an excuse

Before we were married, my wife bought a Jeep Wrangler 5sp manual without ever driving a stick in her life- just a few hours of trial and error in a parking lot with it and she was hooked... it sticks with you just like riding a bike.

 

I went originally to buy the auto because I live in Manhattan, and it really makes no sense to get a manual here due to the stop and go traffic. Well the first RX8 I could test drive back in late July or early August was a 6 speed..... bad move.... once I drove it I could not get the auto, which I had the chance to test drive a few days later at another dealer.

I will say the auto seemed to be better when you were using the paddle shifters manually.

But as many have said- the 6 speed is probably the easiest manual you will ever drive- since the wide power band and 9000 rpm redline means you do not have to shift as often-

If your coming to a red light and feel like going 30- in another car you'd probably be in 2nd- with the 8 you can wind it out ans stay in 1st- same with 2nd gear0 if you want to you can easily take it up to 50 or 55 mpg- Not that you want to all the time- it just you have the option if traffic gets hairy, etc.....

Go stick I say- if I can drive it easily in the lousy traffic here in NYC- you can too.....

 

As G8rboy said the 8 is pretty forgiving. I learned how to drive a stick in a '70 ElCamino and a '78 Datsun B210. Talk about different ends of the spectrum.

 

I would say it depends on where u drive.....
If u want more power and more fun get MT, if u gotta deal with a lot of traffic jams and innercity driving get the AT.

 

Thanks for all the info, being in OKC there is not too much traffic so I think I know what I need to do next...take my friend's Civic out for some experience and maybe stop back by the dealership sometime this next week. Also, I gotta say that I love this forum...so many responses, so quickly...I look forward to getting my 8 so I can be an "official" member of the group. Thanks again guys.

 

Yeah... definitely take the manual for a spin. Some call it a pain... hardly! The clutch is so light and tranny so smooth... try bumper to bumper traffic in a V8 Mustang. That's a leg killer. But I still would never take a slush box over a stick given a choice. And think about it like this too.... many of the auto owners are dying to get some kind of mod to give them more power... even if the gain is much less than the manual with the 6 port engine. If you buy a manual over an automatic, you get a 30hp boost right there and for another $600 you can pick up a Canoomer Stage-1 and add another 20-25hp that you can't get in the auto. 50-55hp extra? That's quite a bit... well worth the "trouble" wouldn't you say?

 

We bought an AT because it was the right transmission for my family's needs. Four of our last six cars were MT, and two were AT. My regular car for the last 10 years was MT. Based on the needs of our family, we bought an AT RX-8, and I don't regret it, it was the right choice, and its a fun car to drive. Yes it has less power, but in our current context, that just wasn't a factor.

I think its good that you are investigating the MT/AT question, and you may find other areas to also investigate; this forum is filled with areas of interest. For all of these, focus on what works for you, your situation, etc.

Back to your concern about learning how to drive an MT, unless you have trouble with synchronized arm and leg motions, or forget to clutch or shift, I think you will readily learn how to drive an MT. I have known people that are not suited for MT, but in my experience, most people can readily learn it.

I haven't driven an MT RX-8, but from what I have read, its a great transmission. In general I find an MT to be more fun to drive, provides better control over power, and is generally more interesting ... except for the drudgery of some city driving.

 

Hey Bruce learn to drive a clutch you won't regret it. Mazdas have what I consider easy throw or soft clutches that are easy to learn on. The added HP and 6 speed make the 8 a lot of fun to drive. I feel the interface between car and driver with a 6 speed is so much better than any auto I've ever owned. especially a sport car Just my 2cents. Mark

 

Here is a current thread that discusses learning to drive a manual and flooding (or the lack thereof).

RX-8 Forum > General Topics > RX-8 Discussion > learning to drive stick on an RX-8, flooding
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=18155