Overview & Reviews

The RX-8 is an all-new car for 2004. Its arrival marks the return of Mazda's rotary engine to the U.S. market. Priced less than Nissan's 350Z, the RX-8 also offers four doors and a usable backseat.

• Low base price, agile handling yet still comfortable enough for daily use, room for four in a pinch.

• Option packages can get expensive, iffy interior ergonomics.

User Reviews:

Showing 121 through 130 of 583.00

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  Fun little car, not too Reliable - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Brazuka - October 29 - 3:33 am

  I purchased this car in 2006 with only 11K miles on it. It is loaded including navigation. Overall I love the car, the way it looks, and particularly the way it handles. Throughout its life I noticed a steady decrease in power, and in gas mileage. Complaint about it several times to Mazda with no fix. The doors also rattle quite a bit after you have it for about 40k. The car now has 67K miles, it is at the dealership for a new engine; and somehow I am still responsible for the "bad" O2 sensor which probably was damaged by the overwhelm amount of gas going thru the cat converter. I also had to replace the clutch at 62k.

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  Practical for a sports car... - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By crickett - October 19 - 10:00 am

  Zzzippy! More fun to drive than the 350 Z, however I assumed the mileage would be as great as my Rx-7 in high school and didnt check before I bought. Big mistake! I average 16 mpg. Small tank too [15 gallons] But I love the aesthetics! Interior is nicety! Back seat is perfect for a baby seat when my sister comes to visit with my niece, also you can crumple up drunk people and stuff them back there when you dont want them on the road. [not an option in my former 93 Vette] My boyfriend says its a girls car yet always has a creative excuse to run errands in my car.

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  good so far - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By john d conlan - September 22 - 2:00 am

  handles well, looks great, pickup average,gas mileage stinks

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  pleasure to drive - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Luce - September 16 - 8:56 am

  Nice car, very complete interior, beautiful engine-sound, worth to buy. Unique concept : 4 place sportscar with Wankel-engine, keeping sporty character of the car.

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  Only 3 issues - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Aaron - September 4 - 7:46 am

  First: 4000 miles we had a strange gelcoat peeling on the front bumper. I wasnt pleased with the way Mazda dealt with the problem. Instead of Replacing the bumper they stripped and painted it, then blended it with the rest of the car. Second: Its seems to have some problems with starting every now and again. It cranks over a lot then will finally start. No rhyme or reason. I have driven it great distances and it happens, and short trips. Third: the Gas mileage is fairly bad, but its a sports car. For the positive side.... Its a blast to drive, its a practical sports car, its very comfortable, I am 64 and I drove non stop from Seattle to LA and back, Overall I love the car

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  Luckily strike - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Patrick - September 3 - 5:40 pm

  I bought the car with 25,000 miles and I now have 82,000. I have read a lot of reviews of people who have problem with these cars. When I bought mine, most of the recall issues were already addressed. Whenever I did have a re- call issue ( side air bag light, condensation in the tail lights ) the dealership took the car in and gave me a rental car at no charge. The dealer was always professional. Other than that I have never had any issues ( knock on wood) with reliability of the car. I live in New Hampshire and the car started up one morning when the outside air temp was -4. It has always started and drove without any problems. The car its self is great.

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  3 Year Owner with 80K miles - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By ckrx8 - July 27 - 10:36 am

  Ive owned my RX8 for 3 years now. Im a rotary enthusiast, owned RX7s and work on RXs of all sorts. First off, this car is an amazing machine as far as handling and value for a very affordable price. However, before you buy make sure you know what youre getting into. Like most rotaries, this car is temperamental, it WILL be high maintenance and its important you know that. Acceleration is good for a stock car but modding this car with simple bolt ons will do NOTHING. Major dollars are involved if you want to go faster. Overall, Im a very happy owner, I plan to keep this car when its paid off and turn it into a track car.

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  not recomended - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By grrrrrrr - July 18 - 3:50 pm

  Bought the car two years ago, was great the first year, because I was 19 and all the looks it got. Now im 21 and I am getting very tired of it stalling in 80+ degree weather, and taking over a minute to start the car in the cold (under 30 or so degrees). It is a great looking car, but the pros dont outweigh the cons by any means. I have yet to get over 22 mpg (and have only got that once). I average around 18 or 19 mpg. I bought this car because its the only 4 door sports car, but I am very regretful of my decision. It has lost more than half its value in 2 years. I have no control in the winter and dread waking up and seeing it snowing.

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  love to hate it - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By steven30x - May 2 - 9:56 am

  I bought my rx-8 in April 09 with 27k. It is now Sept. 09 and i have 34k. I got a great deal on the car and loved the first 2 months i had it. Recently the airbag light came on for 2 weeks and then just shut off. A few days later and a month after an oil change it ran out of oil because the warning light never came on. Now every time i drive it it smells like burning oil, and mazda has no answers to these problems. The brakes squeak horribly and still squeaked after replacement. Heat from the cupholder area is ridiculous,and everything rattles. The stereo for a bose is awful, but the car looks awesome and if u get the clutch perfect in first it will take off pretty fast. Keep it or sell it?

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  Excellent Value and head turning appleal - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By leotol - April 13 - 12:13 am

  Best car I have owned with regard to from the showroom quality. It handles very precisely and its turning radius is very small. I have taken it on long 400+ mile trips and found the car comfortable and well equipped to be fast and safe. I have an automatic, the manual shifting through the transmission is fun; am glad that I dont have to deal with manual shifting all of the time in traffic. Gas mileage is low, but expected. My dealer made a point of advising regarding warming the car up before turning off and keeping the oil level topped off, doing this is a must. One time forgot to warm it to operating temperature; it stalled & had to be towed, it was warranty fix.