Overview & Reviews

Most people know that Mazda builds sporty cars. But for some, it's the company's history of building true sports cars with lightweight rotary engines that sets it apart from the competition. The Mazda RX-8 was one of these models, and it enjoys the distinction of being the only one with a four-door configuration, providing reverse-opening rear access doors and a genuinely accommodating backseat. Sold from 2004-'11, the RX-8 didn't change much during its lengthy run.

The heart of the Mazda RX-8 is a 1.3-liter rotary engine with a thrilling 9,000-rpm redline: that is, if you can find one with the six-speed manual transmission. The available six-speed automatic was limited to 7,500 rpm, yielding about 10 percent less horsepower. With either transmission, torque from the rotary engine is very modest, and shoppers should note that this engine is known for both significant oil consumption and poor fuel economy. But with its perfectly balanced weight distribution, sharp steering and svelte 3,000-pound curb weight, the rear-wheel-drive RX-8 is one of the best-handling cars ever made.

User Reviews:

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  So Far so Good - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Timeout - August 29 - 10:00 am

  I have 1744 Miles on the RX-8 and it has just started to move in the last 300 miles.It needs to be turning over at least 3000 to get any performance and has no PUSH at low RPMS. The transmission is super in both automatic and manual and is fun to use. There have been absolutley no problems with the car mechnically!!! I had to learn to drive all over again after a 350HP TransAm but that is part of the fun and an very satisfied after driving it this far. The start stop is not a problem after you understand whats required.

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  A great car looking for a great engine - 2007 Mazda RX-8
  By JimW - August 28 - 8:40 pm

  I love everything about the car-looks, handling EXCEPT the total, absolute, complete (get the picture) lack of torque. You really have to beat it with a stick to get it moving. I should have got a V8!

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  sweet car - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By kevin morris - August 24 - 10:00 am

  great car..looks great fun to drive...only knock is needs a little more hp....love it though!

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  Performance and Design beats MPG - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By piston to rotary - August 14 - 10:10 pm

  Love the looks and performance of this automobile. Interior accommodations are very nice and high quality. I have been looking at these autos for the last three years and finally took the plunge and found a low mileage 05. Prices appear to be falling and the car doesnt appear to have the residual that I thought it would, Seems folks might have been scared off by the less than ideal mpg and high octane requirements. All in all this is an excellent vehicle that performs beautifully, looks outstanding, handles like a slot car and has good Japanese quality.

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  rx8 has superior handling /transmission - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By linda bednarski - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Felt the rx-8 handling and transmission were superb. the only car I have ever been in that handled the curves as good as the rx-8 was a (race car) triumph 25 years ago. Nothing beats it on the curves and the brakes are extremely good too. Thought it handled much better than the z350, g35 sport coup, and saleen s281 mustang.

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  Rotary car doesnt fade - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By Andy - July 21 - 7:16 pm

  There is a tendency to do errands in zig-zag back and forth across town style. It is very difficult to go home after completing the errands. It is difficult to do the actual errand, because you dont want to get out of the car to go in anywhere. I plan out huge, inefficient road trips on computer trip software. Im fond of poking along routes that skulk through the corridors between the major interstates. 18 hours at a pop sometimes. Always sticking to posted speeds because Im in "local territory", unshielded by the usual pack of rabbit-chasers and "what I can get away with" cruisers. Bottom line? Theres no end in sight with driving this car at this point.

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  2006 RX8 Grand Touring A.T. - 2006 Mazda RX-8
  By Fantastic RX8 - July 15 - 9:43 am

  Great Car and talk about fun to drive!!! I bought mine used with 34000 miles on it. Fully loaded with every option available. The 6 speed A/T is excellent and what makes it even more fun is the paddle shifting. The handling is positive and very responsive. The ride is smooth and not stiff. The rotary engine is smooth and responsive. No need to rev it to 9000 rpm (red line) thats just crazy and asking for a early engine death. All I can say is, "Im going to have a lot of fun driving my RX8". :-) You guys out there have fun with yours as well and take care! 22-23mpg mainly city driving.

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  Fantastic family car! - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Leo - July 10 - 7:00 pm

  What a fantastic car! Like many others I was in the market for a sporty sedan. Sporty to please me, sedan to please the wife. I had decided not to seriously look into the RX8 because of what I had read about acceleration performance. I wandered over to the Mazda dealership to kill some time and decided to just go for a spin. I was hooked, bought the car that day. The handling is incredible, yet the ride remains very very very comfortable. The navigation system is pretty good, but already outdated. The rotary engine makes beautiful music and I still cant help staring at the car every time I park it and walk away. Never been in a car thats gotten me as many looks, I love it!

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  vroom is for real - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By george mouzakis - July 7 - 5:50 pm

  Have just had a month. No problems. The tranny lets me take turns being a teenager and a sedate 60 year old. Air and heat could be a little more powerful, and fuel economy is zilch -- but you know this when you buy it. Everything else is awesome - my gut gives out long before the car does in cloverleafs. Just hearing the solid sound and the way the door closes reassures you of the quality. And driving at night with the red/blue dash lights allows me to believe Im captaining the space shuttle. Go for it if you can!

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  Worst mistake of my life - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By carma8 - July 1 - 9:44 am

  Do not buy this car. If you are thinking of buying this car go to the Rx8 forums, everything that can go wrong with this car will go wrong. This car has been the financial ruin of me. When I bought it the KBB price was $17k and thats what I paid. 3 years later I tried to trade it in, and was offered $3k. Bear in mind that it is in better condition now than when I bought it. Every year I spend at least $2-3k on repairs. The only luck I have had is the engine seems to be the only one that works, for now. Thats right $2-3k/year with a healthy engine. The car is crap. Other cars are just as fun to drive with much lower cost. Save yourself and run away.