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 21 through 30 of 179.00

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  Head Turner - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By rklan - February 7 - 5:03 pm

  I have never had a vehicle which gets so much attention. It dares to be different. It strikes up conversations with people who normally care less about cars. The engine runs incredibly smooth, I would rather listen to it than the radio! Incredibly quick and nimble, a great year round driver (even in Wisconsin winters). Plenty of room for back seat passengers, the trunk carries much more than you would expect.

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  mazda rx-8, - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By barry jaffin - December 31 - 6:56 am

  great to look at, drives very well, major problem is very poor gas milage, less than 12 mph in city, 18 highway (at best)

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  Experiment in Beauty - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By Stenn - December 5 - 8:03 am

  As much as I love my 6-speed Shinka, Id have to admit its more an academic exercise in engineering and beauty, a "proof-of-concept" of the rotary engine, than a practical 21st century car. In this age of drying-up oil supplies and soaring fuel-cost, the gas-mileage on this work of art will "kill" you. Im getting 14MPG no matter how careful I am, while my old, heavy, automatic 95 Nissan Pathfinder regularly gets 17MPG, go figure! Just driving normally ends up with 14mpg. Ive only seen one owner-review that says he accomplishes the advertised 24/18, and Id REALLY like to know how!

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  RX-8 Rocks - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By BOP - September 11 - 4:06 pm

  The RX-8 is a great car on the curves and is really fun to drive, the main complaint is the amount of torque (too little) and the gas mileage is terrible (I get 16.5 mpg), but besides those 2 issues I wouldnt change it.

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  zoom zoom fun - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By eh2003 - July 24 - 4:50 pm

  I really love to drive this car and drive it fast. It will hit turns harder than a sport bike and ask for more. I dont like the gas mileage which is 18mpg if I run the heck out of it and 21 if I dont. This could be the perfect sports car if it had a healthy torque boost on the low end. Other than that it is really a blast to drive.

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  Best Sports Car for the Buck - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By krusty - June 27 - 9:20 pm

  By far the funnest car to drive short of shelling out 130k for a Porsche 911 GT3. A very beautiful design. I test drove the Nissan 350Z and knew within 1/4 mile which car I liked better...the RX8. Great handling, stability, and braking. I do have after-market BF Goodrich G-Force, which are incredible and probably a much better tire then stock (first upgrade). Very comfortable on highway. The car is deceiving in how fast it really is. You will be going 100mph and not even notice it and very stable and easy to drive at that speed. Bose Stereo is great. Transmission (manual) is smooth as butter and has very short throw. Your power is at 5000RPM and up, so you have to learn how to drive this car

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  Not made for long distance driving. - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By Ty - May 18 - 1:43 am

  It is a nice looking car. Not as comfortable as I would like but hey, its a sport car not a family sedan. The bucket seats are not comfortable for long distance trips. Its kind of slow off the line but once it hits about 3500 rpm, this thing can go. Like many other people, I would like a bit more torque in this puppy. It is nice on the freeway, only if youre not living in LA. I am just wondering what is the top speed on an automatic? If you are looking for a fun car to drive and want to be different then everyone else, this may be the car for you.

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  da kid - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By nick gusman - November 3 - 9:43 am

  i love the speed of this vehicle as i cruise the parkaway i hit about 80 in the 5th gear

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  Nice Car Fun to Drive - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By cindy - June 27 - 1:56 am

  I have had mine for over a year, still love it. Of course its bad in the snow but its rear wheel drive so I expected that.

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  great car - IF IT STARTS! - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By Kevin - June 19 - 9:30 am

  Warning: if you are thinking of buying this car be warned: it will not restart if it is turned off cold. This is a widespread problem, and Mazda is fully aware but refuses to do anything about it (it is a problem with the rotary in that to start the engine needs a burst of gas, and until its burned off, e.g.: warmed up, the car WILL NOT RESTART and must be towed). Otherwise: a great car. Fast. Great handling. Wonderful design. But very bad gas mileage! But I could live with that, IF I COULD BE ASSURED THE CAR WOULD START. Its already left me stranded once, and Mazda will only pay to fix it once, and then youre on your own. Shame on Mazda