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 21 through 30 of 583.00

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  Good, bordering on great - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By silver8 - May 20 - 10:00 am

  Aside from the 15 MPG and the 16 gallon gas tank that needs to be filled up every two days, this is a fun car. Dont be fooled into thinking its an economical car though. Sure is fun to zip around corners, which it does very well. No street light racing though as the car is sluggish off the line unless you drop the clutch at 8K. When and if Mazda fixes the mileage and horsepower issues, this will be a truly great car.

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  Not so zoom, zoom - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By rab8 - March 1 - 3:50 am

  Having owned a RX2 & RX7, I was first in line to buy the RX8 - it has been a mixed bag, though, from day one. Like so many, it has had to return to the dealer over and over and it has been tweaked and had more parts replaced than a plastic surgery freak. It has been more trouble than any car I have owned (15) and yet I want to love it anyway because at heart Im an unabashed rotaryhead. Mazda has broken my heart on this one - I cant recommend it to anyone except those who love dysfunctional, undependable, expensive cars. Sigh.

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  ZOOM, ZOOM, DOOM!! - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By norx84me - September 17 - 1:02 am

  Thinking of buying this car? Im stranded AGAIN after losing power on a major interstate & having to drift to a stop on the shoulder. I knew what was wrong because Id been through this before: the "glass bottles" sound rattling under the hood, the jerky take-off & the oil light that just couldnt be corrected. Yes...once again, the rotary engine was dead. This is the THIRD ENGINE IN 1.5 YEARS!!!! Engines are on back order from MAZDA til February, 11. Wanna hear the real horror? I traded my HONDA for this terrible piece of machinery!! Will I ever forgive my bad judgement in buying this car? With all the GREAT alternatives out there, why would you consider Mazda? Take it from me, DONT!!

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  No resale value - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By bobsbob - March 21 - 10:00 am

  The value of this car has dropped like a rock. Not just the normal depreciation of a new car. Dont buy if you ever think you might have to sell...

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  Dont buy an rx8 Mazda will not help you - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Lou - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Hello I purchased an 04 rx8 in April 2010 I have 135,000 miles on it now worst investment ever. There are recalls after recalls and if the car has more than 100,000 miles Mazda could care less unlike Toyota who fix their mistakes Mazda wont. Lets start with the airbag recall $1200 to fix Mazda wont fix it for me bad harness, crack in clutch pedal $600 Mazda wont fix it, lower ball joint I replaced roughly $50 Mazda wouldnt. All of these items are recalls. Also lousy fuel to power ratio and extremely high maintenance and cost. Go to a search bar and type Mazda rx8 complaints and recalls pages and pages will come up.

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  discouraged and disappointed - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Baker - November 14 - 12:43 am

  Issues from the start - car has fuel flooded about 9 times. 3 times acts like security or something will not let engine start, let set 30 minutes, no problem. If you were stupid you would think you forgot to push the clutch in. Back brakes have made noise since purchase even after replaced. Mazda normally insults your intelligence about how to operate their sports car. My response - no problems operating a Z3, or Corvette. One of those love/hate cars. Most of the time fun, part of the time frustrating. Going back to a Corvette.

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  automatic - poor low end accelleration - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By rralicki - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I whish you would put the HP vs the cu. in.. The Mazda automatic is 40 hp lower that the standard transmition and you can fell the difference. Popular Science states that they had to de-tune the engine to save the torque converter. It is fun to drive and I like the shifter on the steering wheel, but you must be at 2500 rpm or better to zoom, zoom,zoom.

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  Nice car but............... - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By rx8notgood - August 20 - 10:40 pm

  Lovely to look at. Lovely to drive in cool weather (automatic). Had to put sandbags in the trunk to make to drive in a straight line in 1 inch of snow. Lots of rattles (eventually gave up bringing it back to get them fixed....). In very hot weather (80 F +), performance becomes very poor in traffic - often have to switch off AC and fan to get it to take off from lights. Heat for feet in cold weather very poor. I used to love this car, now looking foward to the end of the lease.

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  Lemon - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By fntasa98 - March 13 - 10:00 am

  I am having the exact same problems as "Lemon by GJT." Ive had the car for almost a year & it has been in the shop 8 times already. It shakes, dies, wont shift gears properly, & makes sounds that are not normal. I love the look of this car, but its performance is horrible. The dealership cant fix it & I really hope they will buy it back. It is great to hear feedback from the people that are having the same problems. "Lemon by GJT" or anyone who is having this problem, if you read this, please email me at fntasa98@aol.com. I would like to know how to get the dealership to buy the car back & how you went about the entire ordeal. THANKS!