cgrx is comparing the AT RX8 to the AT IS300 not MT RX8 to AT RX8, so the torque difference substantial.

It may feel "a lot" slower than the IS300 but in reality it isn't.

 

I had the Auto, then went in a couple months later and decided to test drive the 6sp. Came out that same day with the 6sp. Had to have it!!!! Theres a huge difference in power. Espically because I had the Auto for like 6 months and knew how it felt, then I jumped into the 6sp and I was like damn. Even my friend was in the car with me when I teste drove the 6 speed and he said, this one is a lot faster. So now I have the 6 speed and love it to death. Plus it feels like your one with the car, when you have the Manual Trans.

 

Short of dropping $5k+ into a turbo/supercharger, assuming one is released here for the auto '8, there's nothing that's going to make a big difference off the line... the current 4sp auto is just painfully slow in that regard. The ridiculously tall gearing of the 4speed also adds to the problem.

 

Just go drive a 4-banger ranger for about 2 or 3 weeks. A corrolla will work, but a ranger had the most impact on me. When you get back in your '8 you won't believe how much power it has!

 

Do yourself a favor and trade the car in now! There are not going to be any after market products that will make it the car you are looking for. Get your trade in money while the cars value is still high, and get something with a factory fi, or a huge displacement.

 

He will lose too much in trade it to come even near what many mods would cost. Get the car paid off before trading it then or you might risk being upside down on another loan.