How come poeple say to stay away from the autos? Are they as bad as the 2nd gen auto's?. Just wondering if they have the same bad mechanical problems. I'm buying an auto for 5000 bucks here shortly.

 

Most people who race on real tracks prefer to choose gears themselves. Turbo lag really sucks when the transmission takes an extra fraction of a second to realize it needs to downshift before it actually downshifts. Coming out of a turn and waiting half a second for the car to start boosting will make your lap times about half a second slower.

Plus the difference in gear ratios (due to 4 gears vs. 5) will hurt you in the acceleration department, this applies to drag racing also. Most people who own these cars like to accelerate as fast as possible.

One advantage to auto-trannies is they're nice for people with disabilies who either can't use the clutch or gearshift. My neighbor can't drive anything except autotranny due to an accident he had a while ago. People like him need automatics, but most enthusiasts prefer manuals. It's not that I enjoy using the clutch or shift ****; it's just that I dislike the alternative.

-s-

 

Oh ok. Most poeple who say stay away from autos are doing none of those things you mentioned. I just wanted to drive a FD. My heart goes out to the FC's.

 

You can't Rev Match
You can't launch as well
You can't downshift for harder corners

5 speeds are the perfect solution for driving enthusiasts with ADD

...

 

If you can't come up with a reason to avoid an automatic on your own, you'll probably be fine driving one.

 

^^^^^
Amen.

 

yep, i totally agree.

 

Agreed with the comments above but to buy an RX7 and then handicap it with an auto box is sacrilege imo

 

theres no fun in an automatic FD. It has no spirit, no aura. no legend.

 

yeah he said he was getting one for 5000. That is really damn cheap. I woould buy it no matter what tranny it had.

 

How the hell does a car not have an aura? And why does the legend dissapear?

 

No fun. I don't like autos at all, in almost any car.

 

get the auto, definetly for 5k! If you cant stand it, switch it out to a manual, i think its like $1500 once you sell all the old parts, plenty of threads on that. Overall i have an auto, sometimes i wish i had a manual, actually like 90% of the time, but when im in rush hour traffic, knowing i dont have to be clutching constantly its also nice to have an auto. For example, when your reallllly tired and just want to go home an auto is nice, but i still regret not getting a manual.

 

I love my Automatic. I'm 21 and not a experienced driver and i think the Auto keeps me out of a lot of trouble; in a few years when i'm used to the car i'll definately drop in the 5 speed. For now though i couldn't be happier with my Auto Rx7.

 

I am personally swapping due to the inability to launch... I dont mind an auto in a car with high torque down low like my old Thunderbird, but our engines dont really pick up until 2500-3000rpm. Being able to rev up to 2500rpm and feather the throttle whilst letting off the clutch for a good strong launch into boost is needed to really release the potential of our cars. I'm only running 15's at the track but trapping 98mph so a manual will greatly increase my performance.

Roadracing and just the general appeal of the RX-7 is improved with the function of the manual. Now the auto does work pretty good for me and from a roll I still walk the bolt-on Mustang GTs and SS Camaros but from a stop we are either dead even or they are GONE.

I also cant stand the way the auto decided to shift, it will ride out each gear unless I completeley let off the throttle, otherwise I could drive for 2-3 miles at 3500rpm in 3rd and it wouldnt shift to save my life. OTher than those quarks it isnt bad but I always wanted a manual anywho so I wont miss it. MY friend loves it and keeps trying to convence me to stay auto -- he owns a manual GT Mustang himself.

~Kris

 

I know that this is an old thread, but I just couldn't let some of the misconceptions fly. Some one else might read this and the wrong impression. I'm not saying that Auto's are the best thing in the world, but they aren't bad. Sure they are slower off the line, but who says you can't down shift into a turn? I downshift all the time. Thats what the hold button is for. First gear is good til about 30 second till sixty, and well I've never topped out third gear.

If I'm dring in "S" going around 45 and hit the hold button the tranny quickly shifts down to second and I go tearing off like a bat out of hell then just click the button again if you don't want to worry about red lining and it will shift back to third when the rpms get to high. Just thought I stick up for autos a bit. Their not so bad, especially in stop and go traffic.

 

Whatever . . . Auto's blow ***

 

There is no doubt that 5 speeds offer levels of control that the autos dont. If one chooses to drag race, road race, etc and uses the car for these type activities, then the best option would be a 5 speed.

The stock auto setup is still fun to drive and quite spirited. It offers levels of drivability as a daily driver that the 5 speeds lack, ie. just to name a few, rush hour traffic, stops on hills and the guy behind you has his nose up your ***, when both hands are busy and you need to shift, and would you want to be shifting and clutching if she has her face in your lap.

In many circumstances the autos can kick *** on challengers, especially from a rolling start. Regarding improving the oem auto setup, it works a hell of a lot better with a rear end change to the manual 4.10 differential.

chuck

 

With the center consul? Don't think it can happen buddddie.

 

maybe not for you! but for some this may not be an issue........

I think you missed the point of my post - there are situations and times where the advantage of the auto over a manual is convienience and ease of use.

chuck

 

[QUOTE=JI'm only running 15's at the track[/QUOTE]

15's???

 

yea i hate auto tranny, even my saturn 5sp is more fun to drive at times. I really regret getting the auto tranny, but it still is fun wheni use to hold button or wheni floor it on the freeway.

 

wow none of you have ever heard of level ten huh. I put in new clutches, the stall raised and an electronic shifter put in. Did it all myself and damn. Roast the tires everytime. great 60fts and hell if indy does it there must be something right about a manumatic. it shifts instantly, no lag, and it can handle 700 hp. total parts is about $2000 but it is soooooooooo worth it.

 

It can happen. I love my manual, but I admit, having to shift while that's going on is really distracting.