RX8Sick

Do you have an AT? Did u ever regret getting the AT? Are you ok with the performance? Any known issues?

I am a proud owner of a 2004 AT and have endured lots of dissing from the MT guys as they claim superiority. 197 HP is not the best but I know it's more than I need since I am not into drag racing or autocross. I am generally satisfied with my car and I love it.

No problems to this point and I hope it keeps that way. Share your AT experience!!

ZoomBoy19

Agreed -- same as above!

whenson417

I do want the extra power but I sit in nothing but stop and go traffic to and from work for about 20 miles each way. Then, when I go for a drive on the weekends, there is still a lot of traffic. I would probably go thru a clutch every 2 years in this amount of traffic.
I have autocrossed it before I think I did just fine against MT 8 owners. If I were a better driver and maybe had the GT suspension package I could possibly beat them since I am only a second or 2 off from their times. I would like to have the additional power to help compete against the souped up Lancers and 4 wheel drive Imprezas, but for now my bone stock (except for REVI and Duct) with 16" wheels is doing what I need it to do and then some.

Trey-Trey

Mine's a 2004 AT that I bought used back in January of this year. I didn't really know what to expect since the only car I had before it was a 1994 Ford Taurus who's speedometer only went up to 85. Arg.

But I've really enjoyed it so far. Yes I do get flak from a buddy at work who has a red/red leather MT but the price was a steal and it was the only one that had all the features I wanted on it. Plus being in "stop & go" Atlanta traffic all the time wasn't really convincing me to hold out for a MT with all the same price and options.

All in all, I love my car. Beats the hell out of that 10 year old, 174,000 mile Taurus. But I want to start using the "manumatic" option more just to get used to it (and to start fixing that pesky carbon buildup problem I've been hearing about... ick).

Here's all I have:
2004 Titanium AT, Touring Package, Spoiler, about to add some exhaust finishers and front & rear rotary accent.

whenson417

Hey Trey Trey,
I am in the Atlanta area as well. You should check out the SE forum for the GA RX8 Club tread and see if you can make it to any of the events so I won't be the only AT attending. Great bunch of guys!!

Vader8

Agreed I love mine. Would like to have the extra power , but got such a good deal couldn't pass it up! $22,500 for '05 VR with appearance pkg. and spoiler.

BlueEyes

You have your own sections you know.

BlueEyes

a second or two is huge on a race track, let alone, an autocross course.

tlniec

Whoa. I paid substantially more than that for my '05. Granted, I did get the sports package and a few other options, in addition to the appearance package and spoiler. But still, I suddenly feel ill.

hmeaders

We bought ours in August 17th from Stone Mountian Mazda. Its an AT with Sport Package. Price was just right at $25,200.00.

We love ours. My wife drives it most of the time. She drives about 78 miles round trip to work each day in stop and go traffic. We decided a MT was just to much work. We used to own a 1981 RX7 MT, A engine. We feel the RX8 is just as much fun as it was.

truemagellen

Here is the AT only section... https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-specific-performance-mods-97/

bashing Autos was so last year :p besides the new 6sp RX-8 with 210 hp is coming out (I'll believe it when I see it) very soon and the playing field will be evened a bit...

the real issue is the Autos can't get great power mods or the transmission will turn into mashed metal soup-but same sexy look :D (well except for the 16inch wheels, MAZDA what were you thinking there?, the Mazda3s wheels are even 17inchers)

mikeb

I cant complain
no problems for me

JeRKy 8 Owner

I needed more power for my automatic. I was just getting bored as hell in it. I prepared to spend upwards of 5 grand to get what I wanted too. But it never came after nearly 2 years of waiting. Finally I gave up and lost all hope so I ditched it for a manual RX-8 with the money I was already going to spend. Now I have the power and the fun I felt I was missing.

I am definitely happier now, but part of me still wonders what the automatic would have felt like with an additional 60 - 80 horseies. Guess Ill never know.

Oh well.

truemagellen

AT owners who switched to MTs (like Jerky) are the only ones who should be giving AT owners a hard time if at all...MT only owners should definitely not (blueyes lay off bud )

Sempher

automatic 8s deserve a bike rack.... i drove one, and had no fun whatso ever!!!!! great handling... but come on!!!! why by a sports car and have it do all the driving!?!?!?!

BlueEyes

Bah???
I didn't make fun of anyone. I was just letting the guy know that there is a section for AT's, that's not poking fun. He's newish, I thought he might not know. I was too lazy to get the link though.

Plus 1-2 seconds is an eternity on an autocross course, that's not poking fun, that's just the way it is.

I couldnt care less if people drive autos, their money, their choice.

wantaRX8

I love my AT - I do not race - I enjoy driving!. We all would like more HP!
But I love my AT ( Red, GT, Appearance Pack, Spolier, 6 cd.)

canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

what,autos can do that?! so here I've been steering and braking this whole time and I didn't have to? I wonder if those dragster guys know they don't have to do the driving either, should I give john force a call and tell him the good news? and as far as a bike rack goes, can you hook me up on one? I'd love to find one that doesn't kill my car/roof/etc.!

RoyalPain

I love my AT. They go around corners the the same speeds unless the MT defies the laws of physics. I chose to get an AT because I have never driven a MT nor did I want to ruin this car learning. But I also zone out while driving. I pay more attention to everything around me. I have been driving in Manumatic mode 90% of the time and there are still times that I forget to shift gears. But driving on windy roads is the same

I am happy with my AT. I have no complaints I still get the thumbs up from exotic car owners even when they find out it is AT they still love it. If I want more HP I will get another car but never give up the 8. I swear by my car and it has saved my life a number of times with its handling abilities. I drive it like I stole it and love every second of it.

truemagellen

I wasn't serious Blue :D thus the smiley face

whenson417

Just wanting to defend my 2 seconds in the races. I know 1 or 2 seconds are huge in an autocross course. One race I did finish 4th and in the process beat a MT (we both raced on wet track and the 3 cars that beat our times had a dry track, they were only 1 second ahead of us). Since then that same MT is now turbo and the other MT owners have either beefed up their supension or were much better drivers than me because they have much more practice. The last time I raced I would have faired much better but I listened to a more experience driver (not an RX8 owner) and increase the tire pressure a little to see how it would handle. It handled like crap and as a result I lost 1 or 2 seconds off of my run. I know this car is underpowered but if it were driven by a good driver it will do ok.

Diabolical RX8

I have a 2004 AT RX8. I regret it sometimes when I see a Civic pull on me. I look like an idiot.

But to make it even worse, last night I dreamed I had a 6 speed RX8. That was one good dream. To bad its not true.

truemagellen

now that is just wacky :p

Redfusion3

iTrader: (2)

Once upon a time, I had a AT, Got Mazda to buy it back I now have a MT and I could't be any happier.

Then again I dont have any stop and go traffic to work earlier.

So everytime I wake up to go to work...is an epic adventure with my car.

Mugatu

iTrader: (1)

well you should know first hand that you're Ok with performance since you 'smoked a viper'...

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA :D :D :D