So it's been 3 weeks since I bought my 2005 WWP RX8 and since it was a MT I had to teach my wife how to drive it (it's the only car we own). Upon purchasing the car she was very confident about learning to drive MT but after the first lesson she has decided that it's too complicated to drive in NYC. I can't say I dissagree about feathering the clutch and being daft with the throttle but at least I put up with it because I love stick shift. Well to make a long story short, I'll ask my question now: How badly will I get raped if I trade in this 2005 RX8 for a 2006 AT RX8 or even the 4 speed 2005 Auto RX8. I wonder I'll even really appreciate the 2006 AT after owning a stick. Maybe I should save money and go with the 2005 Auto?

If anyone has any experience with returning/trading cars after they were newly purchased can you give me some advice and what kinda money I would be out?

 

Dont do it... the 5AT and even the 6AT are just not as much car as a 6MT, not to mention your drivable controll of the car is nearly non-existant.
I firmly believe you would loathe driving an AT after knowing what a REAL rx8 feels like. Bite the bullet and teach the wifey stick... maybe take her out to the suburbs for a little practice. Any neigborhoods with alot of stop signs are good for stick lessons.
Hang in there, dont take the plunge, I truely think you'd regret it for the rest of your cars life.

 

Obviously not married.

 

You are talking about two totally different cars here. Go drive an auto first. I think then you will do the right thing.

 

you'll be losing a few grand to get the same options + auto on a new 8. IMO, it's not worth it. it'd probably be cheaper to buy a beater car.

 

buy her an at and keep your mt...

 

you'll lose all kinds of money, just teach teh wifey stick, it's really not that hard, in 1 or 2 days she will pick it up.

 

After reading the trouble people have had with the ATs, I'd suggest another car imo.


P.S.
Besides why drive a car that eats so much gas, is an AT, AND is much slower than what you're use to. I personally wouldn't drive an AT that ate so much gas, at least with the MT I can enjoy the car and it justifies it.

 

Your wife is an adult - ANY adult can learn if they want. Make her learn. If driving a manual tranny car is something somebody considers 'too complicated' I'd have SERIOUS reservations about allowing them to drive at all.

 

yea... my sister said she can't drive a manual car because she needs to put the makeup on...

 

being able to drive a stick and appreciating driving a stick are two different things. if she doesn't have a passion for driving/cars/etc., then she probably won't want to deal with driving a manual through NYC traffic just so she can open the car up now and again. perfectly understandable and unless you have other options, trading the 8 in for an AT or another vehicle might not be a bad idea.

 

A/Ts don't have widespread problems--I have one with 50K miles and haven't had nearly as many problems as some owners of M/T.

If you decide to get an auto 8--go ahead and get an 06 A/T. I have the 4 port and you'll definatley regret going from the 6MT to the pre 06 A/T.

 

You'll definitely get beaten up on selling a virtually brand new car for a new car from the same dealership; in fact, repeat-sales are quoted by some sales staff as the best way to make a commission.

Domestic harmony, however, is priceless, and your wife will likely have to eat the crow that comes from having to flip such a wonderful car for a compromised car. Then again, that assumes that she doesn't have something on you...

 

i've never heard this expression...can anyone explain?

it seems to me you'd be better of getting something other than the rx-8 if youre going AT.

 

being raised in japan for 17yrs. its standard to learn to drive MT. Which i think is a good. becuase you never know when emergency comes, that you need to drive a mt.

my opinon teach the wife MT . she might need it in the future. and gl on your decision.

 

My AT has been pretty much trouble-free, although I only have 3100 miles on it, so I don't know that I can really be a good source of info on that front.

 

If your wife is willing to accept a second used car, I think you can buy a decent used car for the same money that you'd lose on trading the MT for an AT. Of course, she might want a new car, and in that case I can't help you.

 

Expect to lose around $3k on your trade in when it's basically new...I did exactly that with a Mazda3 to my current RX-8...lost $3k to do the trade in when the 3 had 200 miles.

And hah, anybody that thinks the AT has problems obviously doesn't know what they're talking about. By far and large if you go into the Tech forum you see problems cropping up with the MT the most, almost every other day. I haven't seen one on the AT for some time now, the only "issue" was how AT owners that drive in full auto mode don't rev their engines enough and end up with carbon lock and that's just a user thing. Just go in the tech forum right now, on the first page alone there's like 5 threads about gear issues or clutch issues or grinding issues or synchro issues.

 

That's terrible reasoning. It could just be that the majority of people here own manuals. It's ridiculous to assume anything of statistical significance from a forum.

 

I own a AT and no problems at all, if it is too much hassle for your wife to drive a MT and you don't want to get rid of your car then buy her cheap AT for her to drive around, teach her to drive MT in the mean time and when she's comfotable with it, sell the beater and let her drive your 8. By the way, not knowing to drive an Manual car doesnt make any one less of a car enthusiast, everyone has their reasons and personal tastes on what they like to drive and how they like driving.

 

lose the wife, not the car

 

Agreed.

 

Obviously didnt read my whole post.

Mugatu has spoken... close the thread.

 

u will lose money upon trading in, not to mention u're losing money for a car that's about 40hp weaker.

just buy ur wife an auto beater and call it a day. honestly if ur wife just does not like stick shift.....get rid of her (just kidding). but this is something u guys should have discuessed THOROUGHLY before making ur purchase. sad to say but it is a bit too late now....unless u wanna lose a few grand for a slower car.

let's see instead of losin 3g's, spend about 3g's and get an auto civic or somethin as a beater....that'd be cruel....how's about dish out a whoppin 6g's and get her an auto miata?

anyways good luck

 

Don't do it.