Overview & Reviews
Mazda's four-door sports car was all new in 2004, and is back for 2005 with no changes except for the addition of a satellite radio-compatible head unit.
- Low base price, agile handling yet still comfortable enough for daily use, smooth rotary engine fun to wind out on the open road, room for four in a pinch.
- Option packages add considerable expense, iffy interior ergonomics, poor gas mileage.
User Reviews:
Showing 111 through 120 of 179.00-
Rotar-heads first rx-8 - 2005 Mazda RX-8
By waterproofone - February 11 - 7:23 amIve owned 4 rx-7s. Only one of which was a lemon because I purchased from a friend and it was not well taken care of. I love the rotary engines and they have all been great. As long as you make sure the oil is filled with quality oil and the coolant is full all of the time you should be fine. The Rx-8 is less of a car in some manners and more in other areas than the rx-7. I love them both but think the rx-7s had more character to them. They were simpler and not so many sensors and design flaws. I hate the gas mileage and some of the rattles inside but the car so far is good. I have had it in the shop to repair many things/rattles and other things and so far they have not complained.
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Its a love, hate relationship - 2005 Mazda RX-8
By Jessica - December 10 - 5:53 pmI purchased my RX8 used almost 2 years ago. My engine started "fluttering" 4 days after I bought the car. I have only had problems since. If your RX-8 is not idling correctly, you need to have the engine replaced. Finally after 2 years of problems, mine are about to be solved. If you are looking to buy this car, please know that it is not a grocery getter. You have to heat the engine completely up before you can turn it off. Do yourself a HUGE favor and do some research. You would be amazed at what needs to be done for the upkeep of this car. I love mine to the point that I cant trade it in. Make sure you are willing to put in the time and effort to keep it up.
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RX-8 (Not so great) - 2005 Mazda RX-8
By JoeBone - December 1 - 12:43 amIve been driving my RX-8 for about two months now...kinda disappointed. Not nearly as fast as my 350-Z. In fact, not even close. Hardly any torque off the line; you have to be in third gear to get any torque but it is impressive once you get going. Interior is kinda cool and Bose audio is very good. Enough room to take 4 people comfortably, as opposed to the Z which was horrible. Gas mileage is a joke; seems like 2 miles per gallon. I would not buy this car if I had it to do over again.
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Warranty ran out & 1 thing after another - 2005 Mazda RX-8
By FLLawyer - November 13 - 5:03 pmBought the car because of looks and the zoom, zoom, zoom when I accelerated. Then the dealership made a recommended adjustment on one of my visits (due to a grinding/rattle noise on sudden accelerations from day one) and the responsiveness was never the same. Right after the 5 yr warranty ran out, the dealership in St. Pete announced that the vibration I was feeling was the engine mounts being kaput. This was a known problem they got a bulletin on. Never told me. They quoted $700 to fix. We bought Mazda mounts from a dealership on line and Midas installed-total cost $300. Soon thereafter the airbag light went on. It flashes or stays on permanently. So got to take it in again.
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hard on old bodies - 2005 Mazda RX-8
By trolkeeper - October 31 - 4:46 amIt is a little too low to the ground for this old body. I would not buy it again only for this reason. Otherwise it is a great car. Beautiful to look at and every one comments on it.
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RX8 6-speed cant handle the power - 2005 Mazda RX-8
By alamoman - August 14 - 11:46 pmWe have had an 05 RX8 with the 6-speed for 18 months. The rotary engine is much improved over the old one. My wife loves to drive it and we both like the styling. I enjoy hearing a motor rev about 7,000 rpms. We have had to replace the transmission, starter, and spark plugs. Too high maintenance for me.
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I love my Rx-8 - 2005 Mazda RX-8
By I love mazda Rs - July 8 - 6:13 amI love this car!!! I have wanted one since they came out (when I was 11) because my grandma had a yellow Rx-7 when I was little, and I missed it. It drives great, though loud, I love that. You have to use the best quality EVERYTHING!!! I cant stress that more. I live in the hills and it is fun to drive on the curves. I just bought it a month ago as my first car...LOL :)
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Most vain car ever made - 2005 Mazda RX-8
By brandon - June 8 - 7:26 amOk so I bought this car fresh after becoming single and this car was the vainest purchase I have ever made in my life. The car IS sexy, but that is it. It is not cheap, HORRIBLE ON GAS, and EXTREMELY HIGH maintenance!!! You have to check the oil a lot, it has to be run everyday or it wont turn over. Please learn from my mistake and buy a reliable and practical car.
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Turning Heads - 2005 Mazda RX-8
By Kevin - April 3 - 3:03 pmAmazing. Took a while, but I finally tracked down a Titanium Grey with Red/Black interior. As far as I know, this was the only one for sale in Texas at the time. Means I get a unique vehicle. Have had many comment on how sharp it looks. Living in the Hill Country (Windy roads up and down hills is the norm), I truly believe this car was built just for my area. You have read it all, performance, comfort, everything. I cant think of a single thing I dont like. Well, here is my biggest complaint. Would be nice if the 6 disk CD changer played random accross all disks, not just 1. So there you have it. :-).
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Phenomenal Handling - Sport Room for 4 - 2005 Mazda RX-8
By BaldEagle - February 19 - 7:20 pmI have a Velocity Red, Auto w/ Sports pkg., own just over 1 week. During this time I have driven over 650 miles. This included a weekend trip to the beach. The ride is fantastic; acceleration good, comfortable and a responsive ride that is phenomenal. Zoom-Zoom! Head turning to say the least. The interior is comfortable and the cockpit seating is a plus. The kids love the car and there is room for all four of us. Storage space is fine for this type of car. Standard front air bags, side curtain air bags, along w/ side air bags for the front seats. ABS braking and with the sport package added stability control w/ traction control. State Farm considers it a 4 door sedan for insurance purpose.
