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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  The real deal - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Carhead - May 20 - 10:00 am

  A great car all around. I haul two kids every day (9,15) and soccer practice equipment and school bags and still have plenty of room. Try that in a boxter or Z4!! Suspension is incredible - can take corners without any sway at 30 over posted and yet it handles speed bumps very well. Kudos to Mazda. Only thing so far is lower gas mileage than spec - 15-17 in town depending on whether you let it rev or not. May improve as the engine breaks in further. Get all kinds of thumbs up and stares and waves as I drive around. Quiet, smooth, zoom,zoom......

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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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  The Practical Sports Car - 2007 Mazda RX-8
  By Gripen - May 19 - 11:00 pm

  Bought this car used w/ 7500mi. The car, as of this writing, has just over 20k miles. Have not had any reason to take the car in for unscheduled visits to a mechanic. Best fuel mileage was 24.63mpg doing a constant 75mph on the freeway the day after I purchased the vehicle. Daily commuting in traffic has resulted in 16-17mpg six months later. Requires more attention on maintenance (checking oil level every other fill-up, premix to preserve apex seals, spark plug replacement should be more frequent than manufacturers specification) compared to other vehicles in its class. Regardless of this and the abysmal fuel mileage, I have enjoyed my purchase. A very willing dance partner on a good road.

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  Quirky Fun - 2006 Mazda RX-8
  By Denny - May 19 - 10:00 am

  After a few years - Still tons of fun to drive, but not good for heavy traffic commuting. Dont drive it on snow or ice - you will die. On the other hand, its a great road trip car and the handling is amazing. Turns and stops better than anything Ive ever driven. It will do a decent 0- 60 if you are willing to abuse the gearbox and clutch, but why? The thing really turns on above 5,000 rpm and is a hoot. It took some time and practice to learn how to maximize the performance, but once you figure out the engine it is the easiest car to drive fast that Ive ever experienced.

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  04 Mazda RX-8 - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By collinsjj - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Excellent combination of quickness and handling. Fun to drive!!

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  2009 and Newer RX8 is New and Improved - 2009 Mazda RX-8
  By earlt500 - May 8 - 5:37 am

  What Changed In Series II RX-8s over S1 2009 and Newer RX8 is New and Improved 2009 is better than 2004-2008 All New Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with Temperature Sensor newly added and built into the PCM, when ETC (Engine Compartment Temperature) reaches 230F or 100C with Ignition OFF, Medium Cooling Fans Switch ON. New Larger Genuine Oil Filter and Repositioned on front Timing Cover Housing towards the Sump (Left Hand Side). USE GENUINE 09 SERIES II OIL FILTER ONLY. Revised Oil Filler and Dip Stick (Longer Type). New EMOP "Electric Metering Oil Pumps" Two of them... Internal Oil Pressure in EMOPs is between 7.3 and 21.7 PSI (Used for the first time by Mazda) New design Oil Injection Nozzles 3 per rotor housing..Totalling 6. New Oil Pump assembly. 50% Higher Oil Pressure at 100 oC (121oF) 3000 RPM...500 kPa {5.10 kgf/cm2, 72.5 psi} When compared to Series 1 RX-8. New Oil Pressure Sensor (ONLY Located on #1 EMOP). Larger Oil pan Sump Capacity. New hex (8mm) type Sump Drain plug. New Internal Oil/Sump pan Magnet... (First time used in a Rotary Engine since 1985 FC RX-7) New external silver plate Engine Sump Guard. New Inlet Manifold with changed APV Position sensors. Revised 4 Fuel Injection Nozzles (2 primary, 2 secondary). (Series I six Port Engine had 6 FI Nozzles). Revised Atmospheric Air Control Solenoid (near Throttle Body) New Fuel Pump. New Radiator Core. New radiator Electric Fan Motors. Revised radiator Fans Speeds from 2 to 3 Speeds. (Low, Middle, High). New Alternator. New Starter Motor. New Battery 80D26L. (80 AMP Hour) (Was 50D22L (50AH) or 75D26L (75AH) in Series I) New Exhaust System. New Yaw Rate Sensor unit. New Air Conditioner Temperature Controller (Amplifier). New Bridgestone RE050As in 18" and 19" (R3). New Manual Transmission (6 speed MX-5/Miata) (Reverse is now next to 1st gear not next to 6th gear). New Differential Ratio (Manual). New Differential Fixing Plate Washer on PPF (Power Plant Frame). New Differential mounting Bracket. New additional alloy Cooling Fins (4) on alloy differential Cover Plate, plus deeper set Cooling Fins. Changed Throw Out Bearing (Thrust or Fork Bearing). Revised Oil Coolers, Air Intakes and Oil Cooler Hose Lines. Extra Rotor Knock Sensor (Now 1 per Rotor, Total Of 2). New Water Pump/ New Timing Cover to suit. New Water Pump Pulley. New Water Pump "O" Ring as gasket. New Spark plug Leads. New Ignition Coil Backing/Mounting Plate (now Ventilated) New Alternator/Air Compressor Drive Belts. Revised Eccentric Shaft (Crankshaft) Pulley. Revised Oxygen Sensor (CAT). Revised Air/Fuel Ratio Sensor (Exhaust Manifold). New Air Pump Control unit. New One-piece trans-Tunnel Heat Shield (Previously Two Piece). New Under Body Covers reducing C Drag from 0.31 to now 0.30. Larger Fuel Tank (5 litres extra or around a gallon). New Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) Hydraulic unit Control module. New Rear-Suspension Control-Links (Rods) Upper/Lower and Trailing have Increased In Diameter. New Rear Stabilizer Bar. New Rear Shocks And Springs. New Rear Axles. New Rear parking-Brake Cables. New ABS Wheel Sensors (All 4 Wheels). Revised TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) US Only. New Front Upper And Front Lower Suspension Arms (Wishbone). New Front Steering Knuckles And Wheel Hubs. New Front Stabilizer Bar. New Front Shock and Springs. Revised Power-steering Control System unit. Revised Headlamp Auto-Leveling Sensors. New 3 Piece (Instead of 2) Strut Tower Brace (Manual Only), Autos Retains Two Piece Tower Brace. Revised Front and Rear Wheel-Arch Splash Guards/Shields. Thicker (Heavier Guage) Steel on the two Front Strut-Towers. Additional Spot Weldings around both door Openings for increased Rigidity. Stiffened Body Shell = Torsional (twisting) and Flexural (bending) Rigidity have been increased by 5.4 and 8.7 per cent respectively. Autos and Manuals both have 6 port engines, Max Power RPM (kw) has been limited to 7500 for Auto compared to 8200 RPM for the manual. http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=161665&page=6 .

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  Made the right choice - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By daahwoud - May 4 - 10:00 am

  After test driving the Nissan 350Z and the Subaru WRX Sti, I drove and ultimately picked the RX8 because of its forgiving yet fun ride and handling. I love this cars ability to engage my need to drive it at its limit and feel extremely comfortable doing so.

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  Great - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Jim Morison - April 8 - 10:00 am

  No complaints, love it, girls love it, everyone loves it, but the best part is - did I mention - girls love it.

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  Achieving neither goal - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By fast ed - April 8 - 10:00 am

  Great looking car with good handling. Have previously owned RX-7s and this is definitely a different car. Actually, I was expecting more from Mazda with the amount of time they spent in R&D. It accelerates well off the line, but its high end acceleration and speed is still average. With all the cars out there improving HP, I would have expected better from something trying to be a sports car. It could also drive smoother if it is trying to pass as a sedan. Thus, this car tries to be several things but masters none of them. If you need cargo space it has absolutely little as most large items(golf bags) will not fit in the small trunk opening.

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  Mileage? One word: Regular - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By RSX owner/hater - April 2 - 2:00 am

  I thought the gas mileage was a real concern. I almost gave up on it. Then I found out that it takes regular. 18mpg using regular will cost me the equivalent as 20mpg using premium in my RSX-S.