I am still disappointed with Mazda. Don't get me wrong, I love the car.

You know alot more about the engine then I do. It does rev high, but I am sure someone at Mazda could have figured it out.

Well, I have my auto transmission and I am happy.

 

Well, the whole dyno topic thing seems to indicate that power is not what it should be above 6500 rpms. That's exactly where the high power (247 hp) is suppose to make the extra 40 hp above and beyond the Auto's standard power 207 hp. The high power has 3rd power ports that are suppose to produce the extra hp above 7K rpms. The standard power doesn't have 'em. Also, a Japanese car mag tested the 250 ps 6spd MT vs. the 210 ps 5spd MT (5spd MT is a Japan-spec option). The 250 ps was only slightly faster. An indication that the 210 ps engine is making good power, while the high power engine maybe lacking some ponies in Japan as well.

So if I was buying the AT, I wouldn't be worried.

 

That is good news for me.

I have yet to come up against another RX8 to see how fast a 6 speed is. During the test drive, it seemed faster - but you can never tell.

 

I dont have an 8 yet, but when I test drove the manual, it was buttery smooth, and lets out a whole lot earlier then my current car. Very nice car, and the manual just finishes the car off. For a sports car like this, you have to get a manual, or IMO its a waste of a car.

 

Kewl! Thx for the info!

 

Wouldn't it be cool if Mazda came out with an auto transmission similar to BMW's SMG2 or Audi's DSG? If they did, they might be able to get rid of the torque converter and use the same engine as the manual.

Can the stock torque converter be replaced with a high-stall torque converter?