I keep reading people posting on the AT forums about how they are upset with the lack of power in an AT compared to an MT....
"what should i do to fix the problem?" "what can I add to get more hp?" blah blah blah

Why did you even get an AT before checking it out?

I got one for 2 reasons.

1: Haven't driven a stick in years and didnt want to deal with "relearning" (yes laziness stopped me from getting one.)
2: the bigger reason is because I have a bad left knee that I know would get even worse having to deal with a clutch constantly in southern california traffic.

I used to have a 3 before I traded that bitch in and got my AT 8... I have not regretted that decision at all and love my car every day I drive it.

 

I have always wondered that also.. But I installed a turbo so maybe i'm not the best person to be talking. I never complained that my At was slow or couldn't keep up with Subies, and the like.
I don't believe in "Buyers Remorse". My Philosophy is "if you can't live with your decision, don't whine to me about it."

 

Amen.

They probably did it because the car looks so damn good...

I remember the first time I saw the 8. It was May 2004. Winning Blue in a circuit city parking lot.

Damn it was so sexy I just knew I had to have it...

A month later I did. I knew nothing about the rotary engine or anything, looks alone sold me. Never test drove anything else. Seeing how it was my first car I never had any "oh well my mustang, oh well my 350z, oh well my sti" to compare against.

 

I drove both at the dealer. I did not like to clutch placement and decided that an a/t was more what I wanted. I knew that I would FI at some point and the small lack of power has never bothered me that much.

 

I think the common problem with the MT owners is that they think that having an MT just makes them cooler than us having an AT. It not like where all professional racers or anything like that. If you look at an 8 i think it's on of the nicest looking cars of all time..the tranny should not have anything 2 do with it..so what an AT could probably never beat an MT( if its not suped up) but there still fun as hell 2 drive!

 

We are cool. What da takin about?

 

At Ftmfw!!!

 

+1 (FI cures all)

 

This really happens with owners of all cars...if you get a mustang gt in auto your a fool, a corvette the same thing. At the end of the day is what makes the driver happy...Phil's 8 is the perfect example...im sure after he smokes some one it does not matter wether it's an AT or MT it's still an awesome car.

 

There's a good way to look at it

 

Fi'd Autos beat NA MT's ;-)
big deal

My At turned into a Guinea pig. If I wanted to be like everyone else I would have bought the MT. I also wanted the wife to drive more than she has.

No Regrets.. FTMFW !!

 

I hate to agree with 09Factor on anything but in this case I do. I wanted some thing different and boy have I got it - Guinea Pig? hell I think you had it easy - come here and I'll show you Guinea Pig. My only difference with you is I like the idea we can compete with the mts..

 

I decided on AT because I was doing a ton of driving for work all around Texas and my current vehicle at the time was a stick and I was just getting tired of it with all the driving I did. Plus my girl couldn't drive a stick, I tried to teach her but it just wasn't working out. I was doing all the driving. So I found the best of both worlds with the AT. I never regret my purchase. I regret not making enough money to buy all the mods I want though!

 

Compared to what hell you went through with your abortion of a SC, Yea, I had it easy

To those that don't know, The first install outside of Pettits shop was our buddy Phil here. To say the least to keep this topic on track, the install directions were uh not complete.

Ok back on Track.

 

Red Devil and Mac11 have both driven my car now. Just though an industrial park nearby with a few WOT runs. They seemed to think the difference wasn't as dramatic as some people like to make it out to be, but perhaps that is because of the 4.77 gear.

 

DAM! I could'nt have put any better! Looking torward to a left knee replacment in the future. Even had 3 bitches(Z's) before my 8

 

Now the question is:
By how much?

 

I bet there's at least one other thing you two agree on..........

 

One thing a lot of people get caught up on is comparing the acceleration of their car to another's. For me, performance mods are more about being faster/more responsive than what I already am, not in comparison to someone else. I didn't buy a 197hp car expecting it to be a top fuel dragster

 

Well a little more oomph is always fun. I would prefer an AT especially in NYC traffic conditions (where you get stuck in Manhattan traffic for over an hour) though.

 

I think you need to see Dr. Phil

 

Why do you say that? I think I'm being dense and missing your point. Guess I need to "get real"

 

Oh, I definitely agree. With my "top fuel dragster" comment, I was just commenting on people that are shocked when the AT isn't a speed demon. But I'm all about going for more umph. As you can see by my sig, I enjoy modding this car. To me, it is part of the fun, taking a "slow" car, and slowly improving it. I too hope to go FI at some point.

As far as people getting hung up on comparisions - what I meant is that there is always a car out there that will be faster than yours, unless you buy a buggati veyron or something

And I agree 100% with choosing the AT for traffic, convieneince, etc. Obviously, since I choose one I like having the option of shifting manually, but being able to put it in full auto mode when I don't feel like shifting myself. I have some health problems, so it comes in very handy at times and is less fatiguing to drive. If I'm having a bad day and have to get somewhere, I can just put it in Drive and focus on braking and steering.

But I also love shifting manually and using the paddles. When the MT owners get too obnoxious, I love to say "I'd rather spank with a paddle than play with my stick".

That said, we can't lump all MT owners into that camp. All my local guys have been great about helping me out with things, and I've become good friends with quite a few of them.

 

What I'd really like to see is Mazda matching the rotary up with a DSG. Seems like they have all the advantages of an MT and an AT without the drawbacks. I think I read where one of their concepts has done exactly that. Hopefully when it comes time to replace the 8, they will offer a rotary with a DSG.

 

Ain't no use preaching to the preacher - Most of us in this forum understand that there is room for both. There will always be some that come here just to try a frustrate us.