Is anybody in here waiting for automatic RX8 yet? I've seen pictures of it, and looks awesome. Have to decide between rx8 and mazda6.

http://edmunds.com/new/2004/mazda/rx...nav..13.Mazda*

BTw which one do u think will be better in acceleration 0-60 and 1/4 mile? Mazda6 auto (7.5/16.0 sec) or Mazda RX8 auto?


Thanks

 

I am waiting for a manual. Why would you want to suffer the power loss to get an auto? If you aren't an enthusiast or it is traffic conditions that warrent the auto then the 6 would be a good alternative due to its much lower price. If this is your weekender then I think an auto would be a terrible choice, (my opinion).
You won't be able to wring the performance out of the rotary with the early shifting auto. A better choice for an auto-performance car would be something that delivers at lower RPMs.

 

So mazda rx8 auto will be slower than mazda6 auto?

 

Does mazda RX8 auto sucks that much? When I drove automatic rx7, it was ok and I didnt mind having auto too. I though RX8 auto would be even cooler.

 

you can definitely buy watever you want, but i agree, if you want an auto and a pretty decent ride, then the 6 is a good choice... getting an auto on the rx-8 is almost unthinkable... i live in the LA area, and the traffic is not bad enough to make me get an auto.. but its ur choice... at least you will look like an enthusiast... like i told my friend who bought a 97 M3 auto... "WHAT THE ***"???

 

>>getting an auto rx8 totally defeats the purpose of getting an rx8<<

>>getting an auto on the rx-8 is almost unthinkable<<

I disagree. But I want the auto-manual tranny....like my Acura TL has. Sometimes when crusing the backroads I like shifting myself. Other times (80% of the time) I'd rather let the car do it.

I am following this closely to see what Mazda offers. I am also watching to see what Mazda is putting in the navigation system...and what add on services it will include beyond navigation. Can they match or better Acura? So far they haven't even matched what my '99 TL has.

I'll also be watching to see if a trailer hitch can be added...like I could to my TL...
http://acmenet.net/~jeffny/hitch.html
....YEAH! A TRAILER HITCH!! heehee

I'm a Mazda fan, I had a '90 626. But I won't buy an RX8 just for performance. It's got to be comfortable and somewhat practical too.

Jeff

 

Haris,

I don't know what your situation is that you would need to get an auto. Maybe you have a lot of traffic in your area, or maybe there is another reason.

Me personally, I would love to get a manual, but because my wife cannot drive one (believe me she has tried) I will have to settle for the auto. However, it doesn't bother me at all. I am probably in the minority on this board when I say that I want the car for the looks and styling, and not so much for the power. I believe 205 HP will be more than sufficient for me. Besides, I intend to wait another year or two for the car, so maybe by then the auto will have more HP. If it doesn't, oh well.

As for the 6, I agree it is a pretty nice car. In fact, I am trying to talk my wife into getting one and then I could get the 8. I doubt that will happen though. I don't think you can go wrong no matter which of the two you pick. Get the car you want to get with the transmission you want and don't worry about what anyone else thinks.

 

Haris: y dont you wait for the test drive... that way you can decide which is SUITABLE for you!

Most ppl here or even in the rx7 forum, will encaurage you to get the manual... and do you know y? simple! more power as well as cheaper to maintain compare to the auto...

My friend has the Mazda6... and it is a great car... so its really up 2 u dude...

*wisper* but personally... get the 8 whether it's a manual or auto... u wont regreat... :D

 

Umm, if you love to drive a manual, but your wife can't - buy the manual!!! This way, you're the only one driving it! JMO

 

danielk015
Junior Member

Registered: Sep 2002
Location: Irvine, ca

You live in south OC thats not the LA area. Thats a totally different county. You live in the suburbs. I myself live in north OC. But I have to commute every morning and night to and from LA. Not to mention drive around LA during the daytime. Don't tell me LA traffic is not bad. I know for a fact there is traffic in south OC. But only in the morning and night rush hour. LA has traffic even at night.

Sheesh get your facts straight.

*breathe in, breathe out*

Ok sorry about that, anyways the whole point of getting a sports car is to drive it fast and drive it hard. Why get a sports car if you're just going to use it to pick up your grandma.

 

Y&Y... yeah if you want to get that technical.. and north orange county, so where do u live, fullerton?? HB??? Buena Park?? That is like 10-15 miles up... wow, you are so much closer to LA... i have to go up to LA a lot for work and i understand the traffic, it is bad... but my point was, IT IS NOT BAD ENOUGH to make ME, THAT IS MEEH get an auto... for others, that might be a different situation... man, sorry to get ur skirt in a ruffle, i didnt think that that remark of me living in the LA area was so technically wrong... maybe i shouldve said IMO... LOL...

 

oh, btw... to get more technical... irvine is in central orange county, cities like Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, SJC are south orange county... SHEESH get your facts straight

 

Although I expect everyone on this forum to be enthusiasts just by virtue of finding the site and participating on it, I would imagine a LOT of people (the regular public) will buy this car just for the looks and the price. They will never see the high side of 6000rpm, and never notice whether the car has 250hp or 150hp. For them the automatic will be fine and will sell well - remember this is a mass-produced car at 30,000 units per year (by the second year).

If someone on this site has a good reason for wanting an auto, and they are aware of the power deficit and the hint of a poor review from Laguna Seca, why give them a hard time about it. Personally I would just recommend anyone who wants an auto to test-drive both transmisstions and choose what suits them. I for one will be braving the Houston traffic every day in my slick-shifting 6MT.

 

I you want the automatic I'd wait a year or so. It sounds to me like Mazda will be releasing an SMG type of tranny and the current auto is just temporary.

 

I commute from Coto de Caza (SOUTH COUNTY) to Santa Monica everyday. 66 miles each way! Talk about traffic! I am moving closer so I can enjoy the MT vs regreting it.

 

Hey puppy1,

try looking for a place in culver city I heard the neighborhood is not bad and the rent is not all that expensive. The only thing is that parking sucks sometimes depending on the apartment.

 

if youve "mastered" the manual, than it will never bother. Its only if you can just do it that traffic and the such is a problem.
________
LOVE HELP FORUMS

 

Yea, basically traffic is my biggest concern. I already have 240sx stick-shift and I just have to change to auto tranny. I just hate shifting every 5 seconds. And I am not buying a car to race with, so it wont never be on the track. Basically it's all because of design and it is not expensive. But I'll test drive both 6 and 8 with automatic tranny and see which one I like the most.

Thanks guys! :D

 

I think the 6 is probably the better choice as it's got great handling, better in the snow, and has more room inside and in the trunk. The RX-8 will beat the 6 on looks (imo) and handling, but gas mileage and snowy weather are other things to look out for.

 

If auto RX8 is slower than automatic mazda6, then I dont know why they even made it. It should be at least like 0.5 - 1.0 seconds faster.

 

i suppose you're not down with the engineering, eh?? well, FYI, to the extent of my knowledge, it's impossible to make a slushbox (which is what the RX-8 will have) with more than 4 forward gears and reverse... those 5 and 6 speed autos are SMTs, i believe... and there's a rumour about Mazda developping a 5 speed SMT for future auto RX-8's...

and to respond to your comment Haris, the deal with the RX-8 is that it's more than just a straight line car: it's a sports car. the Mazda 6 has a pretty big, pretty torquey engine in it to compete on that horsepower battlefield Nissan, Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford, and Dodge are competing on with their sedans, and really needs to have some pretty big guns to compete (on paper). the RX-8 will absolutely destroy any of these cars around a track, auto or stick (supposing of course the auto could take that kind of punishment, even in a limited amount), if not in a straight line... but yeah, speed is the reason people are big on the stick. it's a comprimise, right??

 

I just can't imagine why someone would want an automatic in a sports car. The whole idea is the driving experience, right? If I only wanted two pedals to push in a fun vehicle I'd buy a go-kart.

I understand that Mazda HAD to put autos out so they can sell more cars, but I feel that it removes the soul of the car. If I were Mazda and could ignore the financial aspect I wouldn't even offer it in auto.

But that's just what I think.

-Also, I'm gonna be pissed when I'm looking for a used RX8 and I walk up to it, look inside, and see an automatic. (Shaking my head)