Overview & Reviews

Automatic transmission-equipped Mazda RX-8s are a bit sportier for 2006. A new paddle-shift six-speed automatic replaces last year's four-speed transmission, and the rotary engine's maximum horsepower has been increased for cars equipped with the automatic.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 45.00

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  Cool Car - 2006 Mazda RX-8
  By JW79 - December 3 - 9:36 pm

  Tons of fun to drive + has turned a lot of heads. I have had many compliments on the design from friends and strangers alike. A police officer told me to roll down my window + I figured my sticker was past due or I had committed an infraction + instead he inquired about the car and told me how much he liked it. The handling is great! Tons of fun around corners and curves. It should be a little faster off the line + this is a significant drawback considering the horsepower + the poor gas mileage. At first I was unsure about the lines but now I love the look. I love the suicide doors + at least 3 adults can fit in the car as long as everyone isnt tall. You need snow tires bad in the snow!

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  This is different. - 2006 Mazda RX-8
  By buteman - October 31 - 1:56 pm

  I honestly could not see myself in one of these cars, but Im really enjoying the experience. Perhaps with just buying this lovely car Im not quite qualified to offer an opinion but here is my initial impressions. I was fortunate to find a low mileage ( 25k,in kilometers ) GT model with the luxury package and automatic ( wife needs auto. ) We took it for a good run on a winding highway,,,,wow, it has more than enough power for me ( Im 64 ) the handling was great, the paddle shifters are great fun, so smooth a ride. The interior is so luxurious and very comfortable, oh sure it sucked some fuel but that is a known fact with this car and thats the price you pay,,no big deal. Nice car !!

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  Kick in the Pants - 2006 Mazda RX-8
  By Blackhawkbill007 - July 11 - 11:20 pm

  I have this car for a couple of weeks and this car is awesome. I was looking for something that was sporty and fun, and I found it with the RX-8. I was a little shocked about the actual MPG (so far 16 MPG after two fuelings) but the handling is incredible. I have got it up to 123 mph so far and it handled like an Indy car. If somebody is looking for a sports car that is not the dime a dozen then this is it. Everybody that has seen it has been impressed and the back seats believe it or not are roomy. So if you are 30 something not ready to commit to a family car then this is perfect. You can fit the car seat when needed and take it out and have fun whenever you want.

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  Tires - 2006 Mazda RX-8
  By Joyce - June 23 - 8:23 pm

  I really love this car. It is so fun to drive and really turns heads, but I cant keep tires on it. Bought in July 06 I now have 13K on it & on 3rd set of tires. Dealer cant help me, Mazda cant help me. I cant afford to put tires on this car every 4 to 7K miles.I do not spin them or drive recklessly. I am going to have to sell it. I am just sick over it, I love everything about the car, but at $500/2 tires I dont know what else to do. The dealership doesnt know if this is the expected life for tires on this car or not?? I bought this car for my 40th B.d. Im really going to miss it. If this problem is just with my car I wish theyd fix it for me!

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  Almost Perfect - 2006 Mazda RX-8
  By TheBark - April 25 - 6:30 am

  Fun to drive and I actually fit into it, the RX8 is an almost perfect sports car. There are a few things quality wise that could be improved (why are the visors still an issue going into the fourth production year?), but overall, its a combination of sportiness and practicality, not to mention superb handling, that makes this such a great vehicle. And unlike those hideous Mustangs, you dont see one at every stop-light which is something of a plus, too.

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  Quirky and Loads of Fun - 2006 Mazda RX-8
  By RX8LA - March 11 - 2:20 am

  I may be a bit biased as I inherited my moms 1984 RX-7 as my first car. It was light on its feet, smooth, high revving and nimble as a go cart - so is the RX-8. The car isnt super fast, especially from a dead stop, but it has lots of pep and is plenty fast as long as winning drag races isnt high on your must-have list. The handling is wonderful and the car looks great inside and out. The nav system can fold away if you dont want the screen to show, and the Bose stereo can get painfully loud. This is the first car where I cant stand to turn the stereo to max. Negatives - fuel economy is SUVish and the car gets hot inside from the engine. The A/C can barely keep up on a hot, sunny day.

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  New owner - 2006 Mazda RX-8
  By Mark G - February 16 - 8:20 pm

  I just took delivery of my 06 base RX8 6M. Researched the coupe market to death and ended up with the RX8, Ford Mustang GT and Nissan 350Z shortlist. Need 4 seats so Nissan went out. The Mustang went when I knew that the refinement of the RX8 and its looks had won me over. I was concerned about the fuel consumption and cold start procedure but once I drove it home I knew I could live with both of these minor quirks. The look and driving experience are just out of this price league. You can spend twice as much and not get the same feel all round. It is a breath-taking beauty! I got one of the last 06 models at a great price & dealership were excellent.

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  Fun, Fun, & More Fun! - 2006 Mazda RX-8
  By GRX8 - September 6 - 3:03 pm

  I was looking for a sportscar that was reasonably priced, fun to drive, roomy enough to move 4 adults if necessary and not seen on every corner like the Z or Mustangs. Well, lucky for me I came across the RX8. This car is all of the above and more. Its not the fastest car around, but its handling makes up for it, and it is very fun to drive.

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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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  Mazda RX8 AT GT - 2006 Mazda RX-8
  By Rotary Owner - May 9 - 2:00 pm

  Beautiful car, fun to drive, but not quite there yet. I waited until 2006 to get mine so Mazda could work out the kinks of a new design, but I had many of the same problems found in the 04s. If you buy, buy used after seeing a report of repairs - some cars are great, some cars are bad, there doesnt seem to be an in-between. Buy a used one with 30K - 40K miles and that didnt have its engine replaced and you should be happy. And above all else, dont buy a 6-speed AT - the transmission wont let the car rev high enough to burn out the carbon build out. I love rotaries, but they should be MT, so Im selling this one and keeping to my 79 RX-7 for my rotary fun (still running).