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 1 through 10 of 583.00

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  BEWARE OF THE SHORTFALLS - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By ENGINEER - September 27 - 2:00 am

  The RX8 is a great looking auto and it handles quite well - BUT: 1. It drinks fuel like a Hummer. 2. Its way underpowered with no real torque to boast of (especially the automatic transmission). 3. The air conditioner is all but useless in the South. 4. It has dangerous rear blind spots due to its cabin design. 5. Get the spare tire but then forget any luggage after that. 6. Rear passengers can barely see over the window sills - claustrophobic!

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  RX8 - Unreliable Gas Guzzler - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By martinD - May 21 - 4:36 pm

  Very poor gas mileage. On hot days, I often need to switch off the AC just to get it to move from the lights. Tires were shot after 16,000 miles and so expensive. Heating is very poor at the feet.

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  Worst car ever - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Seriouscoin - April 17 - 12:56 am

  Not a fan! The only thing I liked was the look, and getting on the gas around 5k RPM. Tons of problems later!!

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  Nice when it starts - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Mustang Christy - June 22 - 6:13 am

  Ive had this car about a year and have had a major problem with it not starting all the time. They tell me that it is caused from vapor locking. They have replaced several things and it still hasnt solved the problem. Mazda finally agreed to buy it back from me so that I can purchase a RELIABLE car. This car has left me stranded several times. Another dislike is how you have to first leave the car running for 20 minutes before you shut it off.

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  this car sucks - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By rollo - April 21 - 2:00 am

  embarrasingly slow gas mileage stinks interior is noisy and poorly assembled needs a spare tire, maybe the worst car i have ever driven in the snow and i am on my sixth rear drive manual sports car

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  DO NOT BUY REPLACED 2 ENGINES - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Jessie - September 24 - 7:30 pm

  This is th absolute worst car I think of all time. I bought this car brand new in 04 and it has been nothing but problems. I have replaced 2 engines and that is just the beginning, everytime I turn around something is wrong with it and it cost a pretty penny to fix everything. This car makes awful rattleing noises, it breaks down on me while driving on the road about once a week, whick is very dangerous in traffic. The dealership has been absolutely no help and often have to argue with them. The problems are never ending! It pretty to the eye and thats bout as far as it goes.

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  Never again - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By never again - July 10 - 11:40 pm

  I, like others, purchased this car because of its sleek look. It started with problems with the engine which the dealership wanted to replace. Unfortunately Mazda, the corporation ,decided it was my fault that the engine was faulty and declined all repairs. Even though, I have had all maintenance repairs(oil change, tune ups, etc) done at the mazda service center ever since I purchased the vehicle. The sad part is that the car is still under warranty and they would not honor the warranty. I even got a call from thier rep. who told me they would not honor the warranty. When asked if he could put this in writing he declined. To anyone who is thinking about buying this car..One word..DONT.

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  DontDoAnRX8 - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By UnhappyRX8Owner - June 16 - 10:36 pm

  I owned an RX-7 and loved it. I thought the RX-8 would be comparable but was wrong. The car has been towed 5 times in the last six months, the battery has been replaced and Mazda said "the batteries installed initially were not strong enough for the car" The car floods and need to sit for "days" before its operable again. If you live in the north east or anywhere it snows, you can kiss you Mazda 8 goodbye until spring, if theres a slight dusting of snow I cant get it out of the driveway. The only silver lining here (if it is really, is that I lease the car and I get to dump it back in Mazdas lap where it belongs.

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  BAD NEWS DO NOT BUY - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Sarah - March 22 - 9:10 pm

  Bought this gorgeous car new. At 20,000 miles it had been in the shop over 30x. At 30,000 miles and a new engine later they still could not resolve the problems going on with it. Yes it is a beautiful car and until this day I still think that there isnt another car looks as sharp but unless you dont care to pay out big bucks and never drive it I wouldnt recommend it. I do drive my cars I buy them to drive them not keep in the garage but I would still think at 30,000 miles a car should still have a lot of good usage left. Needless to say 20 grand in the whole I had to get rid of it because I need a dependable car.

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  Run Far Far Away... - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By gregtheowner - April 2 - 7:00 am

  I bought my 2004 Mazda RX8 in 2004 - brand new with 4 miles on it. I treated this car like royalty: and it didnt matter. Engine was replaced at 20k for warranty - THEN the engine failed again just 2k outside of warranty - I paid $7,000 for repairs; The spark plugs cost $100 a piece, Tires are $200. MUST have premium gas (At premium prices) and MPG is horrible. $5 in gas wont get you out of your neighborhood. Now -2012 - I finally got rid of it. PROBLEMS from day one til the last day. Car shuts off at red lights, when its too cold, and when its too hot. MUST warm-up engine for 15 min. before driving anywhere - I can go on for days but my space here is limited. DO NOT BUY a 2004 Mazda RX8