Overview & Reviews
For 2008, Mazda celebrates the 40th anniversary of the rotary engine with a special edition of the RX-8. Setting the 40th Anniversary RX-8 apart are a gray exterior, red leather interior, unique 18-inch alloy wheels, a firmer suspension, foglamps, a silver engine cover and of course the obligatory badges. Other news this year involves the navigation system -- it's now only available on the top trim level.
- Bargain starting price, nimble handling with a comfortable ride, smooth and thrilling rotary engine, can carry four adults in relative comfort.
- Poor fuel economy and mediocre torque output, some quirky interior ergonomics, aging design.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 16.00-
Light and Fast - 2008 Mazda RX-8
By Beverly M - December 4 - 11:43 pmGas Mileage is not great
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Owned 2 years 70k miles. - 2008 Mazda RX-8
By tyoung85 - June 9 - 11:57 amI have owned my 2005 Mazda RX-8 for two years now and it is currently at 70k miles, I must say the car is an eye catcher, and very fun to drive if you dont mind a slight hesitation in acceleration! On the other hand, with the higher mileage it is falling apart, it seems everytime I go down the road I end up putting it in the shop before the week is over! First it needed plugs, but because one fouled it killed my coils, which killed my air injection....then the idle pulley failed and snapped a belt, which snapped another belt immediately after, tail lights full of water... the list goes on, all in all they are fun til they start their downhill march, then get rid of it!!
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Dream Machine - 2008 Mazda RX-8
By JB - January 16 - 10:50 amForget about the bad gas mileage reviews, who buys a sports car with great gas mileage in mind anyhow. This car takes corners like the tires and street are velcro counterparts. The interior is as cool looking as the exterior and incredibly comfortable seats.
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ROTARY HEAVEN - 2008 Mazda RX-8
By gremline91b148 - September 5 - 11:00 pmdespite a few flaws like a weak clutch pedal, clutch, and rear shocks that go out at 60k the car is amazing. All of those issues are easily and cheaply fixed for those of us who are mechanics. In order to truly appreciate it you have to drive it though a curvy mountain road. I drive 100 miles a day and love every minute of it. To be fair it would benefit from more power but when you look at how a slightly used one is priced for the money you cant really complain. it is easy to add power to it any way... 0-60 is at 5.2 secs from just a few mild mods. it is an amazing machine and value.
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Outstanding - 2008 Mazda RX-8
By LeConte - March 15 - 3:56 amThis is my third RX 8 had a 2006 Shinka, a 2007 GT RX8 and now the 2008 40th Aniversary Edition. The looks never stop from people even from those in Porche and other sports cars. The handling is great on this one and much better than the 2007 that I had. As for the gas mileage as many before me have said who when they buy a sports car ask what the gass mileage will be. I have been driving Rotary engine cars going back to the 76 RX4 and I have never tired of driving one. All one has to do is drive one and they will know they have gotten into something special.
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40th Anniversary 6 speed - 2008 Mazda RX-8
By Dartul - June 4 - 3:46 amJust bought this 2 weeks ago and have already put 1200km on it. The car is absolutely beautiful and amazing to drive. Handling is better than anything I have ever experienced and it has some get up and go once you hit the power band... all I can say is wow, thank you Mazda for this amazing car.
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Rotary is Not For Everyone - 2008 Mazda RX-8
By WR Jones - May 22 - 5:33 pmI bought this car as a disabled adult that needed a car with room and access for my wheelchair, the rear doors are ideal for quick storage of the chair. There are few cars sold with two doors and access for those who use a wheelchair, combine that with an auto transmission made available, Mazda allows me to drive a great sports car. Slapping the stick over to manual and using the six speed paddle shifter is the closest you will get to driving a standard stick if you use hand controls, a simply amazing experience. The difference between auto shift and manually shifting is dramatic, the car jumps to life, surprising many who have taken a ride in the car, including myself!
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Awesome Mazda Rx8! - 2008 Mazda RX-8
By Rx8 Fan - September 4 - 10:23 amGreat car. What lured me to this pick was the fact that you can transport more than just two people if necessary, while maintaining a sporty look and feel ride. Love the hardtop. With my busy schedule, I dont have time to use a softop. Better durability, great moon roof. Excellent trunk space, and the family loves it too.
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Taking it all in - 2008 Mazda RX-8
By OCDaddy1958 - May 8 - 6:23 pmTo be sure there are many vehicles out there that can provide exhilaration, but perhaps none at this price. I guess I dare not even put out there what I paid for this base model, but lets just say my 401K is still in tact. Something important here about the RX-8: The engine in the base unit is identical to leather upholstered top end unit, and without the constraints of a traction control system. This is sheer joy as you corner like a thoroughbred, for a pony-ride price. I bought this as gas was going through the roof, and made a steal, and now that gas is reasonable, Im having WAY to much fun for my age, but I try to control my enthusiasm when the wife and kids are on board.
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2 years review - 2008 Mazda RX-8
By robrc51 - February 24 - 7:23 pmI have owned my RX8 now for 2 years. Overall the car is not a bad car. As a sports car I would rate the car, average. It does handle great on curvy roads but the rotary engine lacks torque. In order to accelerate you really have to rev the engine into high RPMs. The rotary engine also is terrible in gas mileage. It get between 15-19mpg….even my old V8 Corvette and Mustang got better gas mileage then the Rotary engine. In addition the rotary engine burns lots of oil. I generally fill between ½ to 1 quart each tank fill. The interior is outdated and could use a face lift.
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