I got a titanium grey auto rx-8 in dec with app package, rotary accents, nav, and gt package for 23k with 8,000 miles on it. I bought an auto because I've only driven a stick once and a lot of the people I talked to said that driving an hour into Baltimore (where I'm going to be working this fall) with a stick is going to be a p.i.t.a After reading a lot on the boards here I am kind of regretting getting the auto. I've only put about 3000 miles on it up to this point and was wondering if I should think about trading it in for an auto. I mean it is a fun car but from what I've read the 6sp is a lot more fun. Also I've read that learning on the stick only takes a few days and this isnt a horrible car to learn on. Any thoughts on what I should do? Any possibility I could find another car with same options around same mileage for the same price?

 

will be tough, but is possible. the manual is more expensive than the auto though. your most likely looking to lose a few grand to get the same thing in manual.

 

^but the added zoom-zoom factor may be worth it.

 

^^^ agreed, maybe you could find a 6 speed for a decent price but without nav, appear* pack, etc.

 

i have a 95 saturn that i drive too so i wouldn't have to drive the 8 everyday at first. is a few days a good estimate on how long it will take to learn? and is it really a pain to drive a stick in the city? and learning on the 8 won't hurt it that much will it? I have the dealer I bought my 8 from looking out for what I want so if they get one in I can come over and look at it.

 

Learning manual is not hard, I learnt the basics of a manual on the 8 (in parking lot), then after I got a driving instructor for 2hrs to get on the road with his car. After that, I was chugging along slowly in the 8, and I even drove it in the snow to school daily. City driving is not as bad as people say, because the clutch in the 8 is very forgiving.

 

driving a manual isn't hard, if a 16 year old can learn in a few weeks it shouldn't take you more than a few days.

I insist that you can't claim you know how to drive if you can't drive a manual so it's about time you got on that case don't you think? it takes a little getting used to, and I suggest you just learn on the 8 after getting the very basics down because not all manuals are made the same, even different cars of the same make and model behave differently, you won't do enough damage to the clutch by learning on it and it becomes as natural as breathing when you get it down right. I'd also take advantage and learn to do some performance driving techniques while you're at it, like toe-heel for one.

edit: driving in the city can be a bit of a pain with a manual since your foot might hurt a bit from all that clutching, it's the only time the auto makes sense. I personally don't think it's a worthy reason to compromise fun for boredom. and paddle shifting clutchless manuals aren't any better.

 

takes about 2 hours to learn. just dont' give up

 

thats what ive heard about learning to drive a manual, it only takes a few days. i think if i find one thats comparable I will trade, i kinda wanna keep nav though because im going to be an auditor for ernst and young so im going to be going to a lot of different clients and im not familiar with that area. is it really that much of a difference between driving the auto 8 and the 6sp 8?

 

well then nav is perfect option for ya, and yes there is a difference. many on argue that the new auto's are quick which i'm sure they are, but i bet you'll thank us all if you buy a 6 speed manuel.

 

yup... you will feel it. and i'm speaking from experience.

 

a little off topic but still related, my friend has a scion tc with a trd sc installed. and he said that he was looking around here and knows that he can beat an auto and is pretty sure he can hang with and probably beat a 6sp. the tc is stock 160 hp and the sc adds about 40. is he right on this one? the tc is supposed to have a 15.6 1/4 time and he saw a lot of 6sp with 15.5 times. just wondering, i know 1/4's arent everything but just wanted to see if he was right or not

 

Give the 6sp a chance! You'll LOVE the added excitment factor as opposed to an auto. The new auto may be a lil quicker, but I don't think anything can relate to the feeling of running through the gears on a long, twisty road! You won't regret the move!

And the 8's clutch is very forgiving, likely to make it a GREAT learner! You should definetely catch on before you'd do anythign really damaging, so don't worry about stalls and etc. You'll catch on!

 

Do It.

 

if you are experienced with driving manual and willing to launch then you can get low 15s at least. scion tc's are good cars, but they're more show than anything else. if you've been to any car events, you'll know what i mean.