They improved the auto in 06 to 210 but definitely need a manual for that car. When I was looking for a car, the 8 was in the top 3. It just hard to keep the car fun all the time. The car is a fantastic ride as long as you stay above 5k. Our Z on the other hand feels ready to pull almost everwhere in rpm scale. Persona;;y I bought a ZR because short of the Vette/Cayman outta $range nothing compares. Unfortunately ZR not always practical so I will start the process over again next spring to give the ZR a garage mate. The 8 may still find a home with me. Its different but still far better balanced than the MS6 and probable 3 as well.

 

All in all the rx-8 is not what the rx-7 was. And I guess it would depend on how skilled the driver of the rx-8 was too. I would still take the Z over the rx-8 for the simple fact that I don't like the rx-8. A rx-7 however would be close.