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 71 through 80 of 583.00

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  rx-8 fun car, horrible factory support - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By jpw8737 - February 1 - 10:00 am

  i bought my rx-8 about five months ago, its been through 2 transmissions,and continual factory problems, with no good manufacturer customer service. fun to drive, handles great!! too many minor problems.

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  zoom zoom - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By jennysay - November 19 - 2:00 am

  The good news is, its a head-turner. The bad news is, its a head-turner. First two traffic tickets in the last 10 years came in the same week. (the cops didnt seem to notice me in a Tahoe) Love the car, yet disappointed with the gas mileage.

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  No regrets; no problems; all fun! - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Rod L. Richardson - November 13 - 7:30 am

  Aside from premium gas and modest mpg this has been a great car. I customized to a full Mazda Speed Version + others suspension/computer mods. Comared to a std/ RX8 a real head turner. No mechanical problems. Big Racing Heart tires/very low profile makes the agility of this vehicle striking. Floats well over 120mph; probably due 150+; Canadian computer adds about 50 horsepower. Red. Just went to the 2008 Auto show in KC, Mo. Nothing except Vettes/Viper to compare. Not for everyone. Takes an astute enthusiast to see the subtle wonders of this speedster. If you can afford to do the Mazda Speed Package it makes it a totally different car + racing wheels, suspension etc. Add $15,000. Std 6 speed.

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  Rotor head; GT 6mt - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By timqua - August 9 - 1:43 am

  I bought this car January 2005, getting a 2004 model which saved me 1k. It is a joy to drive based on shifting, cornering, speed at mid to high range RPMs, responsiveness and agility. Gas mileage is poor and range is sad. I filled the 15 gallon tank about every 1.5 weeks, until I parked it and use it only for joyrides. I replace about 1/8 quart of oil every other tank fill-up. Engine flashes were all performed without difficulty, I experience rough idling and occasionally idles to a stop if not allowed to warm well before driving. A rear taillight was replaced for condensation. Ive had zero mechanical or engine problems in 4 years. Truly a joy to drive.

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  Great but with problems - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Hatmandew - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Major problem with flooding. Once this car floods, it will have to be towed to the dealership. Other than that, I love this car.

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  Lemon - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By GJT - June 27 - 10:00 am

  We bought our RX8 the week the first ones rolled into town. Loved everything about it except the weak AC. When the car idles at a stop light, the AC gets warm. However, the big issue is when temperatures get around 100 degrees, the car starts shaking and dies. Its been in the dealership for 2 months now and Mazda cannot fix it. They are doing a buyback of RX8s with this problem. Evidently it only affects automatics when they get very hot. We cannot even trade into another RX8 because they cannot tell with automatics will have this same problem. We will miss the car.

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  Fair review for the last Rotary - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By zero11534 - June 9 - 6:33 am

  The RX8 is a true 4 door 4 seat sports cars, what it lacks in low end torque it makes up for in handling. Rotary motor propels the 3100lb RX8 to 60 in 6.0 sec. and a ¼ mile in 14.9. Fuel consumption for the RX8 was Avg for when it first came out, 17city/24 Hwy. The cars light weight stiff chassis and electronic steering makes this a point and drive sports car allowing even the novice of sports car owners the ability to get behind the wheel and take the turns like a pro. This car does come at a price requiring you to add oil about ever 4 fill up’s. This is a good daily driver for hwy only commuters

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  RX-8 Rocks!!! - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By RacerX8 - June 7 - 10:00 am

  Got 2500miles so far and this RX-8 rocks big time!!! Paid $30300 for the sunlight silver GT package. Acceleration is good (not great) but driving is fun with that 9k RPM limit in second gear getting me to 60+mpg in just over 6seconds. Handling is great. Fits 4 adults. Slim 6 footers can sit in back and enter/exit with relative ease for shorter trips. Best combo of sportiness, civility, and practicality that $30k can buy IMHO.

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  Brilliant but Flawed - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Herfosaurus - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Lousy fuel economy and un-Japanese build quality. My avg gas mileage (40% highway, 40% 2-lane country, 20% city) was around 16 mpg. My car had a few common RX-8 maladies -- door-sill trim that became unstuck, an oil light that came on at high speeds, and the finish starting to wear off the shift knob. Interior has far too much cheap-looking plastic for a "premium" interior. AC not particularly capable on hot days

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  My fourth RX - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By JamesBaud - February 23 - 5:50 am

  This is the fourth rotary Ive owned (82, 85, 91 RX-7s) and Im pleased. The car looks awesome, has exciting acceleration, sounds cool, is surprisingly roomy, has a neat dash, and handles very well. Like my other RX-7s, cons include an interior that doesnt wear well (easy to scuff up--especially the leather, center console/cover tends to come loose, leather shift cover likely to crack), and poor gas mileage (no surprise). Also, the A/C in the RX-8 seems underpowered. A big pro is that these vehicles typically require little maintenance (no timing belt replacements, valve adjustments, etc.) so long as you keep the fluid levels topped off.