Best bet is to go to a dealer and drive an AUTO and manual

The auto stock is slower then a stock 6 speed

 

The 4ports and AT's have a lot of potential, more so than the shitty tranny in the MT version and the 6 port.

IMO, I like the sound of the 4ports better and the 4port delivers more torque with mods and I'm not talking out of my *** for once. Also with the 4 speed tranny, you stay in the power range longer, listen to the sound longer and cruise at the same time without thinking about anything else

The reason I chose the MT version was because I live MT's and the second and third gear tire chirps Also I think it's more fun and involving, and delivers a smoother and a more raw feeling. Not to mention it's a sports car.

But I do have much respect for people modding their "slow" *** 4ports and 4AT's. If ya get what I mean :D

 

the only reason i got my AT was because i found an 8 in the color i wanted sunroof and custom leather interior the only thing it did not have was a six speed. but i have a fast car already. some times i wish i had more power but i still love the car and many people think its fast any way so i dont care.

 

What mods have you done? That car sounds sick! I need to know. Haha.

 

He has done every single mod possible on a N/A Rx-8 that gives any power at all. Answer your question?

And I think he has a 9k redline.

 

+1
I agree with that!

 

I have an,,
AEM CAI,
ZEX nitrous sytem w/ BHR throttle body spacer, 75 shot/wet.
SR Motorsports mide pipe.
Mazdaspeed dual can Catback exhaust.
BHR Yukon coil kit.
And an Accessport with months of tuning by Mazdamaniac. Redline 9000 rpm.
Mazmart water pump/thermostat (170degree)

Dyno'd at 183.2 WHP. I believe it has more now. Additional tuning has been done. And I have a few more tricks up my sleeve.
200+ WHP is near.

 

I used to have a 07 Auto. I found the RX8's 6-speed auto is calibrated smartly. In the downhill, after I break, it picks 2nd or 3rd gear if the downhill grade is steep (which I would want). When I need to pick up speed, it shifts gears smoothly. I live in the high density metro area and the traffic is not kind to a manual car.

 

This is about the only reason l want the AP, other then cooling (I'm pretty happy with the power already). Is MM able to up my rev limiter to 9k? Also, notice any drop in power after 7500?

 

Take it easy Easy Your beginning to sound like me but your just a babe in arms . It is irritating to see the inane posts of people that can not respect our choices and feel that they must dictate their "values" to us.
Developing the AT is fun.

 

I agree with this.. I found a great deal on an AT of my choice of color, and it barely had 100 miles on it. I'd be foolish not to get it =\

And damn, Easy, your mods make me weep with envy.. I definitely want the AP to get the 9k range

 

all judging aside, I am curious what the most common reason is that people chose the auto.

I am assuming the number one reason, (although not everyone, and maybe not you in particular) is the inability to use/or lack of confidence in using the MT.



I guess I can understand going with the auto if you plan to keep it stock and really don't care about performance, but if one plans on modding their car....why choose the model that takes several grand to get even close to the stock performance you get from the MT right from the factory..? I mean it's your money, your choice, but I can't for the life of me understand it.

 

umm like stated before it has nothing to do with the ability to shift..

 

Nope


Several grand; what are you smoking?

 

I realize it is difficult for you to understand that some of us do not want the outdated MT and might just want the AT for our own reasons. Your assumption is that of the uninformed. My first car was a 48 dodge and the second was a 50 ford and since then have had a succession of MGs, Sunbeams, Triumphs and hot dodges. The MT to me is a outdated item (as is the AT).
Most 8 owners are going to mod their 8s regardless if it's AT or MT and just because your thinking is so slanted you will never understand.

 

I fall under the category of "not going to mod" with a few exceptions.

But my reason for buying the AT was stated above: it's Whitewater Pearl with 100 miles, no previous owner, and was selling at a used price. I found only one other Whitewater Pearl RX-8 within 200 miles of me, and that one had 40k miles. The choice was pretty obvious to me.

 

The 9000 redline will not do much for you in the power curve without some intake/exhaust/ignition mods. The main reason for it is that when you shift it brings the next gear into the power curve a bit higher in the rpm's. My car loves the 5000-9000 range. That's where all the power is happening.

I did take it easy Phil. Should have seen my first unposted rendition of that one.

And yes developing a car that is shunned and considered a "girls" car to be faster than the MT is satisfying.

That's what I live for.

 

I understand. I only plan to improve the breathing of my 8, with no intention for FI (I don't make that kind of money =\). However, I remember reading that if I change my intake/exhaust/ignition, I need to get it retuned, hence the AP.

 

The AP will get the most from those modifications that is true.

 

well at the end of the day my at will drive the same as a Mt. the speed limit and laws hold us back so the question goes back why add so much money to mod a MT when you cant use it on the street.

 

Offroading!

Though I suspect that most AT buyers either A: wanted paddle shifters, or B: didn't want to deal with a MT in the heavy traffic they often sit in, or C: don't honestly care about the difference between AT/MT.

And I am 100% fine with them all, because someone has to buy all the AT 8s Mazda makes. I would hate to see even an AT get crushed because no one would buy it

As long as AT isn't forced on me, I am fine with it, and I certainly won't even try to force MT on anyone else. To each his own.

 

Ok, if, for example, I add up the cost of the mods listed for an auto such as Phil's, I notice the AP, which is about 700 dollars, i notice the pettit supercharger which, according to pettit's website, their latest version is 6 grand, i notice a CAI, and several esxhaust mods as well. This all I would imagine adds up to at least 8 grand in order to get 184 whp like phil claims. My car is stock mt and for all i know probly has similar power, possibly more, and because it is NA, has less stress being put on it. Even if Phil's supercharger didn't cost 6 grand, it at least costs over a grand, so still adding all this up would be "several grand"

So I guess to answer your question: I am smoking logic plant.

 

Ahh, the cost is not that bad.......well let's see upon further consideration I guess it is that bad. All mods are expensive....... I claim nothing for HP never have never will. I have not dynoed it in over two years so how would I know? My goal is 300hp for the AT but who knows where I am now - maybe Ray would venture a guess.

 

since we're comparing costs, our MTs (both new and used) cost more than the AT so doesn't it wash out? if you go SC then it is more expensive that route but you can spray for less than getting a SC as Easy does.

and in full disclosure, i am a die hard MT fan and wouldn't buy an AT 8 (although other cars might be different) but over the years and seeing the work put into them, i can respect the decisions that others have made and don't see the need to bash them.

 

Thank you.