Hi all,
Anyone have the new Shinka in the automatic? I'm thinking of getting auto after many years of stick because I'm just starting to get tired of dealing with finally. The thought of a a somewhat luxury car with auto is appealing. I'm also looking at the Audi A3 wth DSG which is supposed to be amazing. I've heard not so good things about the auto in the standard rx-8 but was wondering how it is with the higher powered engine. Any info you can give will be helpful and appreciated.
Thanks!

 

In our dreams!
Unless Mazda can come up with a AT that can handle higher RPMs....
As it stands now, the way I understand it, my AT will "explode" if I get anywhere near 8K.

 

Right now the Shinka auto is still with the lo-power engine. If you want an RX8 auto I'd wait till they supposedly mate a better tranny with the hi-power engine. The A3 DSG is excellent--if you like hatchbacks--I don't so I would never think about the A3. You should probably test drive the auto Shinka vs. going off of what others will tell you. Its slower than the 6 spd of course (0-60 in low-mid 8second range) but still handles like any RX8.

 

i dont think the shinka's engine is any different from the standard 8's engine...

 

It is not, but if you get the Shinka auto you get the same low power motor and 4 speed auto slushbox you get in the "normal" 8 autos.

Rumor (or is it rumour?) has it that is one of the 2006 fixes - and beefier auto box and more cogs.

Dennis

 

Shinka's engine (the whole powertrain for that matter) is exactly the same as the other RX-8 trims. If you get an auto Shinka you'll still be slow due to the tranny issue with the high revving renesis engine. Don't give up on driving stick especially with the 8. Mazda makes the sweetest shifting manuals IMO.

 

ahhh.... my mistake. I must have mis-read the mazda website.

 

From what I have read (and know about rotaries) the issue is that the REnesis finds it's peak HP at higher RPMS. Automatc transmissions (generally speaking) are limited due to the nature of the torque convertor in regards to the speed in which they can safely and effectively rotate.

Both the Manual and Auto have the same engine with different ECUs. The ECU in the auto is tuned for lower RPM's and while sacrificing some HP does actually have a minor torque increase across the powerband.

Many I have spoken to who have actually driven (or owned both( say that around town the auto 8 is nearly as much (or more) fun to drive than the manual. Of course everyone that has a few twisties near them prefers the manual so go figure.

 

was i mistaken when i read the 6mt has a 6 port and the auto has a 4 port rotary?.....dont that mean different engines?

 

yeah they are diffrent. the auto is missing 2 holes in the rotor housings. But the intake is redone to move airt better at lower rpm's so the torque jumps up a bit better.

 

Thats dont sound right at all... I know that for a fact. I rev my 8 to the redline max and have never had my AT explode on me. I have had my 8 for almost 2 years now.

I dont mean to come off on you harsh so dont take it personal bub.

 

Shhhh wedge, we can't let them know that we actually got all 250 hp; that everyone else is always carping about. That's really the key to what makes the Shinka special :p

 

ATTN: forgive my glaring mistake on my previous post. ALL SHINKAS DOES HAVE 250hp AVAILABLE... :D