The shift from 1st to 2nd takes some getting used to--at least for me and I've owned other performance stick shifts--but overall it's good--not great --good.
Would people talk about why they would or did choose the auto over the stick? I just thought sports cars and manuals were an automatic (heh-heh) combo.
Also, on the RX8 vs Crossfire issue: I didn't drive the Mazda, but I don't like the looks, and I think the Crossfire is rolling art. Many, many comments from pedestrians and other drivers.