as far as i can tell it's gonna be full manual (see the clutch pedal?). i think they ditched the paddles cause of all the negative responses. i dunno, i kinda liked the paddles but full manual is more fun prolly

oops, meant to be a reply to general tojo

 

hopefully they will retain the push button start button...

AND the credit-card key thing with the multi-user engine parameters...

just in case my GF wants to borrow it

 

i just hope is a 6 speed:D

 

the last I heard was 6 speed manual of Austrailia - 6 speed auto/stick of the US.

 

this thing looks to be a regular standard tranny. And let me tell ya, I wouldn't buy one if it's not.

 

Let me put your fears to rest.....The SMG transmission may be an option, but it appears that mazda will be putiing a Six Speed in it. And the one with a shifter you throw, not tap or pull or push or paddy whack, and a clutch. If you go to Mazda USA you will something on the specs of the RX8, it states 18" rims on the MANUAL and 16" rims on the AUTOMATIC, I think that an SMG would be hard to do properly on a sub 30k car, which again I repeat is Mazdas goal. I feel that the pricing will be very similar to the Nissan 350Z. Sub 30k but if you load it up, with useless to a sport car options like a navigation system (weight saving hint: get a map) or the Monster Ampage Stereo you could get above the 30K mark. Sun roof is still in the air, I like em, what do you think?

As for the SMG, maybe an option but all pictures and stats released by Mazda show a shifter, not a knick knack paddy whack system.

 

I'd rather have a 6 speed. Sunroof? I don't need one. The top looks ok the way it is (without a sunroof).

 

I don't care what kind of transmission it will have, its going to be my daily driver, nothing more. But a six speed would be nice, and i wouldn't mind a sunroof.

 

Six speed all the way. Tho a sun roof would be a nice added bonus.

 

yes. 6-speed definately. moon/sun roof would be nice also.

 

Six speed with a sunroof definatly

 

6 speed baby

 

Manual Please....its the only way for it to be a true sports car

 

Really looking forward to a sunroof. May not purchase wihout it because for me its competition is a few roadsters. And I would also opt for a manual.

 

I don't give a rat's ***, give me an RX-8. I want it and I want it NOW!!!

 

As long as there is no torque convertor, I will be happy.

 

6 speed all the way, it wouldnt be a true sports car if it wasnt a stick 6 speed. Sunroof i would most likely also get because it also adds the whole sprts car affect also.

 

What about those drivers who want the simplicity of an automatic transmission. I love stick, but I sometimes I wanna get in a just go. Or maybe drive with one hand and eat a burger in the other. GOD FORBID I STAIN THE SEATS!!! Manumatic transmission would be awesome, best of both worlds. Forget the Sun/moon roof. I WANT A T-TOP!

 

I'd be interested in something like Audi's Multitronic CVT if they could make one that could handle the 250 bhp and got rid of the fake shift points (which are really pointless). A transmission like that would almost always be in the powerband and would suit the characteristics of a rotary quite well IMO. Most likely faster than any manual transmission. But a paddle shift with electronically controlled clutch would be loads of fun too. I don't subscribe to the theory that a 6-speed is the only way to go, but a conventional torque converter equipped automatic has no place in a car like this (even if they had one in the FDs).

 

Well, make mine a 6 speed.

And, definitely sunroof/moonroof whatever the heck they're called. Preferably the glass one.

 

I love rowing my own boat and I don't want a gimmicky transmission. Mazda will have to give it a six-speed instead of a five-speed manual just to be competitive with all of the other sports cars and sports coupes currently and soon to be on the market.

I doubt the sunroof will be offered due to what I read about how they designed the chassis. They were pretty creative to accomadate the pillarless design. There is a heavy reinforcement on the leading edge of the suicide door. That reinforcement links to some heavy duty beams on the top and bottom that run across the car to provide side impact strength. Considering that, I don't think we'll be seeing a sunroof.

 

KayakDaddy,

Where did you find this info for the structure of the chassis. I've pretty much read everything I could find and haven't seen that? Just curious as to where I can get my hands on more info that I've seemed to miss. Thanks.

 

cshepley, just wondering where did you get info on the Multitronic CVT, I've sean a little bit about it, but I'm still unclear and interested in its workings.

Synergy, I've heard that the chassis was reinforced through the roof as well, but I'm not too sure where I got my information... and I heard this about 6 monthes ago though.

 

Here is a good place to start:
http://www.sae.org/automag/techbriefs_01-00/03.htm

European Car also had an excellent article on it about a year ago.

 

As long as there is a six speed I'll be happy. My brother just got a new M3, and I don't think i would get it with anything other than a 6sp. A targa top would be neat, as would a SMG transmission (both as options), but I believe that these would significantly raise the price of the vehicle. The only options I would want would be a sunroof and a sport package if they offer such a thing (for added suspension stiffness etc, nicer wheels). I'm 17 and working my *** of during the summer, and will for the next 5 years till I'm done college. This is the car that I want! Just out of curiosity....would an rx-8 with say, 40,000 miles on it and the options mentioned above be more than $23,000 in 2007? The other cars I'm looking at would be an E36/46 M3 in good condition or a new Acura RSX-S. I need something that has a trunk and two usable rear seats. Anywho, I'll get one eventually!