Phantom Menace

30! WOW! Must've been like a smorgasbord! I'd loose my mind and maybe deficate on myself (a little bit) if I had so many to choose from. When I got mine there were 3. Two AT and mine. Of the two ATs, one had been damaged by a test driver (hit something).

I ask about the Navi cause it was not an option for me and am wondering about the options. What are those controls near the seat heaters? I got a TomTom One, its nice but I'm going through hell trying to find clean mounting and hardwiring solutions. That and most aftermarket units require "line-of-sight" with the sky. So, it's basically has to be somewhere on the dash.

Anyhoo, congrats on the purchase and silver is a cool color. Don't trip too much about the clutch. So long as youre not riding the hell out of it, it'll be fine. Actually, stalling isn't as bad as the "machine-gun-jerking" of too much gas and non-constant clutch motion. Stalling is just the car's way of saying "more GAS!" The jerking is what you should avoid. Other than that, with constant practice and the will to change "bad habits," you should have it down in a few days.

Good luck and post more pics!

Raptor2k

HELL YEAH, welcome to the tan leather club!

Staver

The "extra controls" near the heated seat thingers is actually the key. The car was on, and without it near the car, it makes a very annoying beeping sound. I still have a lot of "machine-gun-starts" and need to stop doing that!

Just wondering out of curiosity, what do you rev it to when you start moving...? lol

Raptor2k

The machine-gun-starts will go away very soon....launching it at around 1.5k-2k is good.

sunilseru

Congrats! Looks like you found yourself a very very good deal. What kind of taxes do you guys pay up there? Enjoy the car.

Phantom Menace

You know, honestly, I don't know! Up hill, granted, I rev a bit higher. But on the flats, I just do it by ear/feel. Don't worry! The RX8 has a WEIRD clutch. I've been driving a stick over 13 years and when I first got in the 8 and even on my way home with it...felt like I've never driven stick before--ever!

The clutch on our car is really soft. I'm used to the "spring-loaded" feel. Almost have to stomp the clutch down. On the 8, it's all supple yet forgiving. The clutch (I've said this before) will go on just a farts-breath of gas and not stall.

What you have to practice to eliminate "machine-gun-starts" is to give the gas smoothly and subtly. Don't play by numbers...it'll get you nervous and anxious. Listen to the engine and as you hear it, begin to lift the clutch smoothly. The key is in smooth and orchistrated movements. Not a--> b--> c. But, rather, a&b--> c.

Don't worry you'll get it--find an open lot and just practice 1st gear & reverse over and over. After all, aside from 1st & reverse, everything else is cake.*Remember, you NEVER fully release the clutch on reverse.--sorry if you already knew that.

Keep us informed as to your progress?

lesper4

iTrader: (3)

that brown leather actually looks good with the silver, enjoy!

mysql101

Once you're used to the engagement point on the clutch, you should be able to move without stalling or bogging under 2,000 rpm.

hyperlitenerd

I found driving the rx8 4 times, once a zzl and 3 test drives, I am comfortable with the clutch, one of the easiest clutches I have driven, short of my friend's civic. Easier than the wrx clutch, much easier than my mother's new s40 t5, that is by far the hardest clutch I have ever driven.

afgcfan

Man you beat me to it. I am gona go tommorrow (Monday) to the same dealership (Autobarn Evanston) to buy an 8. Man i cant wait because i just saw how good of a deal you got. Good luck man and i cant wait to have the same feeling as you do of having it in the garage.

reaper1

Maybe you know maybe you dont , there's another Autobarn in Countryside , Il. Last I stop by there they had about 10 or 15 RX's