teen_living_a_dream

Hey. I am getting an auto rx8 this summer and Mazda says that the engines (auto and manual) are both 6 port and 6 speed. There only seems to be 3 differences.


1. Gear ratios are slightly lower on auto.

2. Auto redline is 7500, manual is 9000.

3. Auto is faster shifting with **** and even faster with the paddle shifters on steering wheel.


My first question is since the auto shifts faster, is it faster 0-60 than the manual?

The second is is there a way you can make its redline 9000 on an auto? It shouldn't affect the electronic shifting since that doesn't shift at redline anyways, right?

cleoent

AHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Post of the year. POST OF THE YEAR!!!!!!!

Skythe

That's not nice..geez..and I thought that I was becoming a sarcastic *****...

Skythe

Rarely EVER...like...NEVAR...will you see an auto version of anything do a faster 0-60 than its manually equiped counterpart. There's junk that gets in the way of efficiently transferring power to the wheels which results in lower torque, thus lower acceleration.

I thought they were going to make transmission improvements so that the 2006 versions of the auto RX8 would be able to rev to 9K...but I guess not, if you're information is accurate

QBallz

The Auto is only going to shift faster than the Manual if you don't know how to drive a Manual.

The auto 8 is a slush box as opposed to something like VW's DSG or BMW's SMG which use an actualy clutch.

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

AUTO SHIFTS FASTER??? no way.

therm8

If you took over fuel and spark control with a stand-alone you could rev as high as you want. The torque converter will become less efficient the higher you go (kind of like a severely slipping clutch, i'd imagine) and you'll lose power to the wheels, but there shouldn't be too much trouble with 8000rpm or so.

I test drove an auto Mx-5 to see what the new 6spd was like, and I doubt that it'll shift faster than your average MT driver. If you've ever driven a 4L60e equipped F-body you've seen a fast shifting auto (neck-jarring).

The gear ratios on the new 6spd auto are taller than those on the 6spd manual. So even if they had the same redline and power at the wheels, the auto would be slower. You really need a car with gobs of low end torque to find an auto that'll keep up with it's manual brethren (Camaro/Firebirds, Supras, etc.) regarless of gear ratios (0-60, 1/4 mile stuff).

teen_living_a_dream

Yes, there are autos that are faster. First Ferrari makes autos that are faster than their manuals by around .2 seconds. I'm not saying these auto transmissions are close to that nice but the manuals aren't either. BUT, I am pretty sure the Mazda 6 is faster Auto since the auto can come as a 6 speed and manual is only 5 speed.
Click here to see for yourself

As for torque mazda clearly states that both are 159 @ 5,500 RPM. The only reason why the manual has 20 more horsepower seems to be because it goes up higher in RPM.
Shown Here Under SPECS

cleoent

Most automatic transmissions in everyday cars with torque converters do not shift faster then a human driver. Ferrari doesn't make automatic's, they make F1 style trannies which is basically a manual tranny with a clutch that can shifty automatically. There's been a ton of talk on this forum about what kind of tranny that is (auto or manual) so hopefully we wont go there.

teen_living_a_dream

When racing every tenth of a second count right? That's why you guys are speending money on better filters and such to be a couple of tenths faster. Have you driven an auto rx8? As soon as you press the button it shifts instantly unlike most autos. So, how can pushing and pulling a lever be faster a quick press of the button? It should save you a couple tenths of a second right?

cleoent

What you think is instant is still not as fast as a manual. The auto tranny in the rx8 is not as fast or faster then it's manual tranny brother. Even with 20 more hp and it would still be slower.

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

correct... i had the auto 8 for a year and shifting was still slow. it takes about 1-2 second sometimes for it to actually shift when you are running it hard.
ferrari autos are so not made like the autos we see in these cars. they are considered sequential or whatever that have automatic clutches like cleoent stated. its manual shifting without a clutch so...its not an automatic.

Skythe

Flawed, your logic is. Driving experience, more of, you need. Don't let things that have been written mislead you. Black and white has a habit of not matching up with tires and asphalt.

You're time would be better spent not coming in here arguing spec-racing especially when you clearly lack driving experience. The flames of the forum will be upon ye.

You have been warned.....

teen_living_a_dream

If you had it for a year you didn't have an '06. This means you had a different tranny. The 05 is 4 speed and the '06 is a six speed. I have driven both and the shifting is much faster in the '06 and it has more power than the '05. I never said we had Ferrari transmissions. Skythe said there were no cars that were faster as autos and I was using them as an example. Then I said that I knew these transmissions werent built like a Ferrari's.

Remember I asked if they were faster. I was told buy an official mazda salesman - who I know could be wrong - what the difference was between them in speed after testing both (I am in a car club and I can shift well with manuals)and he said the auto is slightly faster with the buttons on the steering wheel and performance package. I do know that there isn't a big difference between the two, this year.

teen_living_a_dream

What about my second question? Has anyone with autos modded it to go up to 9000 RPM?

Rich Rx-8

The new 6 speed auto is alot better shifting than the 05' 4 speed he's right. The new 6 speed auto also has the same engine as the M/T with only 10 less HP. You guys just hate A/T lets face it. I still think that the 05' M/T is a little bit faster than the 06' A/T.

fizzer

If you can drive a stick, why do you want an automatic?

Besides the rev limit, you're at an immediate disadvantage in performance because automatic transmissions have higher drivetrain losses than manual transmitions. Shift speed doesn't really matter. Google "drivetrain loss" and learn from yourself.

You obviously have it in your head (I blame the overeager mazda salesperson) that the automatic is cool because its a paddle shift. In reality, its just like any other automatic, just has some buttons on the steering wheel. Autos don't sell quite as well and the salesperson is trying to take you for a ride.

cleoent

guys any auto paired to the rx8's engine (any of them) is not going to be close to the MT in terms of straight line off the line speed, 0-60, 1/4 mile etc.

The rx8 is only fast in a straight line because you can dump the clutch at 7k rpms and have it right in the sweet spot, you lose that with the auto. the 5-60 mph tests in the rx8 are awful.

Teen_linving_a_dream, post up your write up on the 06 auto, you may be the only person in america who's driven one considering they just showed up at the ports a few days ago.

fizzer

Personally I have nothing wrong with AT. There's lots of reasons to get one. Performance is not one of them

Rich Rx-8

Still the handling outweighs the 0-60 performance on this car lets be honest. My winter/beater car is faster 0-60 than a M/T Rx-8. And dumping the clutch at 7K wont be cost effective for a teen. You guys are way to hard on new buyers interested in A/T. Just remind him that it's a little bit slower off the line but once you get going the new 6 speed A/T is just as fun as the M/T.

teen_living_a_dream

The drivetrain loss isn't nearly as bad as normal auto cars. The manual probably is faster. I imagine Mazda would do this on purpose to make it sportier. But it isn't going to be a few car lengths - or not even 1 full one - ahead when racing 0-60. Yet, lets face the facts. most people aren't good enough with manuals to beat the auto 06 vs 06, but I doubt any of them are members of this forum. Would they buy an rx8? Yes, before a 350Z or a 2 seater sports car. Remember the rx8 is a good family car unless you have 3 kids. Why you ask I am getting auto? Because my parents cant drive manuals and they will pay a good $10,000 on the down payment if I get an auto so my dad could take it to work if his car breaks down (which is new so it is very unlikly and hed buy another right away so Id lose for around a week). I don't think the manual is worth 10,000 since I don't plan on moding it.

cleoent

We're tired of hearing "What can i do to make my AT faster in a straight line."

I think it's nice of us to tell him the truth since the sales man is crooked.

cleoent

You're blinded by something, i dont know what.

Unless the 06 AT is a wonder machine, there will be a noticeable difference 0-60. But who knows, you're the one that's driven one. Write up, write up.

Rich Rx-8

You guys still over exaggerate on how much slower it is. The new 6 speed is a great ride no matter what. He probably lives/works in the city like me. 1 or 2 seconds slower 0-60 doesn't mean much in bumper to bumper and traffic lights every 100ft. If I had some nice winding open roads near me I'd def buy the M/T over the new A/T. I don't want to vote for performance over practicality in an everyday driver. I say get the new 6 speed and enjoy it, great choice in my eyes.

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

i've heard people decide not to mod hundreds of times... but it doesn't work. teens will especially mod.

no one is talking about getting one over the other. dude is talking about making the auto fast. if you are looking for fast, then go get the manual. if you want practicality in traffic, then get the auto. it is as simple as that. nevertheless, the point is the auto will never be as fast as the manual when both are driven at the limits...the auto transmission isn't as quick as the manual tranny.