I'm probably going to get the 6 spd manual, but I'm a little wary 'cause I've never owned a manual car and I've only barely driven one. This will basically be my learning car.

So far I haven't seen anyone considering the automatic version. Is it just 'cause people here drive harder and faster? I'm unlikely ever going to push the car to its limits (> 100mph) but are there a lot of other reasons to get the manual w/ more powerful engine output? Is it just considered more fun?

Basically my reasons for the manual are:
1) More power
2) Can't tell my friends I got an automatic sports car
3) I assume it should make me a more versatile, if not better driver

Are these good enough reasons?

 

This is a *very* individual decision. You have to pick what is right for you. I personally would not buy a $30k car to learn how to drive a manual transmission on.

The reasons why I am going manual transmission on my next car (to replace my '01 IS300 - automatic this summer) is because I went more control over my next car. For me, I've known how to drive a manual transmission for nearly half my life (I'm 33). There's nothing like picking the gear that you want to be in.

Another thing to think about is will you get sick of rowing your own gears? This is mainly only an issue for people that have a single car. My wife has an SUV that we drive during rain/bad weather, so I never *have* to drive a stick.

Sorry for the rambling, but thats my 2 cents.

 

If you live in an area with a lot of traffic, I would get the Auto.
The manual is more fun but if you sit in traffic and do a lot of stop and go driving - you don't want a manual. That is why I will get the auto.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about getting a manual. For the most part it is fairly easy to get the hang of. Just make sure you have someone in the car the first couple of times when you are still getting used to it. If you are really nervous about hurting the clutch, than ask a friend if you could learn on one of there cars, if it isn't too nice.

 

I would definitely get the manual, especially in the RX-8. The manual version of this car allow you to enjoy the higher reving range of the rotary.

Even if this will be your first manual car, I would still recommend that you get it. Just as long as you're careful with your shift until you're acclimated, you should be alright. It's not hard at all, just take time and pratice. Aside, it will give you the excuse to drive the car even more. And once you master it, I think that you will find it absolutely rewarding.

 

You can always try renting a manual vehicle and learning on that all day.. Then again since you are in NY it might be hard to rent one. Stupid North America and their automatics.. rolleyes..

 

if you even have to ask which one to get, you want the manual. Its not hard at all to pick up. And unless youre in stop and go traffic everyday , you'll be happier. There is no downside to the stick, except the soft learning curve. Within 2 weeks you'll be feeling very confident, I'm sure.

 

*playing devil's advocate*

those paddle shifters on the steerin' wheel for the automatic looks pretty cool :p

make you feel like you're driving F1 :D

 

Learning to drive stick doesn't do all that much damage to the tranny, unless you're horribly uncoordinated. Sure, you'll slip it quite a bit the first few days, but you'll get the hang of it before any significant damage is done. Three 16 year old teenagers learned stick on my dad's car, and his clutch lasted over 100k miles.

I much prefer a stick to an automatic, even in rush hour traffic. Clutches used to be far heavier than they are now, so unless you have a very weak left leg you shouldn't be troubled with it in rush hour traffic. I've driven through Chicago, Denver, and D.C. rush hour traffic many times, and I've always been much happier to be in a manual than an auto.

If you decide to get a manual, make sure you spend some time as a passenger with someone who knows how to drive stick. Preferably multiple people. First get them to teach you, then after you've got the hang of it go for another ride with them. You'll pick up on more subtle things the second and third time around than you will before you're comfortable with it.

 

Ask an experienced friend/relative to teach you on his/her car.

You'll learn within a week.

My wife and I bought a 325i last year. This was going to be her daily driver, so she had to decide if she wanted a stick or an automatic. The dealer had her drive both versions. She was sold on the stick. She said the automatic felt so weak when compared back to back. She also said the stick was much more fun.

ps- I have always had a stick, and will always have one, except in a big SUV.

 

I agree, it's a nice feature - and I'm going with the automatic also. I do a lot of city driving (and eating in the car too :D )

 

4 speed automatic

A five speed automatic would be a 50/50 yes/no. But a 4 speed automatic, WTF

The new Bettle Cabriolet has a transverse 6 speed automatic from ZF, so does the front wheel drive Audi TT.

BMW has used ZF 6 speed auto for over a year in the 7 series. Jaguar and Audi are now installing it. Mercedes has developed their own 6 speed auto too.

Audi and Nissan are ramping up CVTs, Multitronic & Xtronic

That Murano kicks traditional SUV *** 16@90 in the 1/4 (front wheel drive)

 

Down with the slush box! :D

 

Boooo Boooo Queen of the Harpy's!!! :D

Only kidding- if the automatic was 5 gears and there was no loss in power, I would have seriously considered it over the 6-speed stick. I think Mazda kinda threw the automatic version together to at least have some alternative to those who wish to pick their own gears.

 

Tell me, what's ZF?

 

I have driven many manual transmission cars of various vintages and quality before moving to the USA 6 years ago (the land of the big-engined autos). I can safely state that I would much rather have a GOOD AUTOMATIC than a BAD/AVERAGE MANUAL in a car (everything else being equal - e.g. MB SLK230).

However there is that rare beast the EXCELLENT MANUAL which I have only experienced in an S2000 (6MT) and Miata (5MT). This kind of clutch/gearbox experience can overcome any pain with hill-starts, stop-go traffic jams and the horrible combination of the two I see on mile-long Houston flyovers and on-ramps during my daily commute.

I expect the RX-8 6MT to be as good as the 5MT Miata (made by same company Aisin), so you should definitely consider 'treating yourself' to the manual RX-8. But you should rent the cheapest manual car you can find for a week to practice on before picking up the RX-8 (then you will appreciate this vehicle all the more).

 

http://www.zf-group.de/

All hail our German overlords. Just kidding.

 

The auto doesnt rev as high, or as freely. Doesnt make as much power, or transfer that power as eficiently.

I'm not an auto hater. My first car was a stick (ford probe). My second car was an auto (72 mustang). I can honsetlyt say each tought me the better points of each trans.

But the only reason to get an auto rx8 is if you only have one leg.

 

While an auto does have some appeal for daily driving in rush hour traffic, I wouldn't sacrifice 40 HP and 1500 RPM for it. No way in hell. Even if the redline and HP were the same, an auto in the RX-8 just doesn't fit given its sporting nature. It is hard to enjoy a spirited drive if you have an auto tranny getting in the way. The paddle shifters help a little, but I've driven a Saab with them and it still isn't the same feeling as a true manual gearbox.

The clutch on the RX-8 should be quite light considering the torque and the light clutch on the last RX-7. I don't think it will be much of a burden in traffic.

I wouldn't worry too much about having the RX-8 be your first manual. It doesn't take long to learn, and unless you are a total boob, it will just mean some jumpy driving and perhaps a few stalls but nothing more dangerous than that. An 88 RX-7 T2 was my first manual car and I have fond memories of learning to drive it. You'll have double the reason to drive -- one: to enjoy your new car and two: to learn how to drive a manual. I really enjoyed learning how to drive a manual -- it's fun!

If you really want to be sure you are extra prepared, ask a friend with a manual to help you learn in a parking lot. You could use his/her car, or rent one if you can find a manual rental. As long as you understand how it works, a few standing starts would give you all you needed to pull your new RX-8 out of the lot. And you don't even need that really -- if you understand how it works, you should be able to jump into it right when you pick up the car. You will screw up and lurch and jump around a bit, but I think the myths of this being really hard on a car are just that -- myths. Drag racing is surely much more abusive and many people have no problem with that. Just concentrate on doing it all smoothly and you'll be all set in no time.

-Max

 

I'm a little concerned about having to do all of that shifting too. I sit in a lot of stop-and-go traffic and love the idea of the auto tranny for that. I have a 91 RX-7 convertible that has a 5-speed in it (not my daily driver....comes out in good weather only) and I can't imagine having to drive that every day. I would get sick of that clutch real quick. I really don't want to take the risk of not getting every ounce of performance out of the RX-8 though, so I am planning on ordering the 6-speed. The thought of driving the RX-8 with an auto in it is just not appealing to me.