29th May 2007, 12:40
If worried about gas mileage, but still want performance, look at a 350z, or a Corvette... either will likely top the RX-8 in terms of performance, reliability, and economy.
30th May 2007, 04:40
Can anyone explain to me what's the advantage of the rotary engine? I mean nobody else than Mazda are using them. They were used 30-40 or so years back by some European manufacturers, but all abandoned the rotary path. There seem to be a lot of problems with the rotary engine, poor mileage and high emissions. Why don't they just scrap this engine and replace it with a turbo four? I mean they are squeezing out 240+ hp out of 2.0 engines nowadays and this engine will be almost as compact as the rotary. Is Mazda not paying attention to what is going on in the engineering department?
25th Jul 2007, 08:15
I considered the RX8 before I bought my Honda. I looked at used cars 2-3 years old. Performance wise the RX8 and S2000 are quite similar, but the RX8 has two small back seats that may come in handy sometimes. Hardly for long trips, but OK for short rides.
What shocked me was the state many RX8 cars were in. They don't seem to last very long and at 3 years and 30,000 miles many are shot. Smoking engines, mushy suspension, jerky transmission, rattles and thuds and scary noises from the engine, brakes that are long past life expectancy, etc. It's strange that Mazda as a quality car manufacturer has put their name on this piece of garbage. I went for the S2000 which is a much much better car.
When I was younger I used to own a 10 year old Trans Am that I almost abused daily. Never any problems, but the Trans Am does not have the blistering handling and brakes of the S2000, it's a much simpler car.
29th Aug 2007, 16:25
Thx for the comments all. I was going to trade in my 2002 Celica for a 2004 RX-8 GT, but with all the reviews I've read, it discouraged me from buying one.
21st Dec 2007, 04:41
I traded my 2004 Audi a4 convertible for a RX8. Within one week it caught on fire and not only the car, but my garage too... thank you Mazda.
I'm sure to NEVER buy another Mazda.
After this I think I might just ride a pedal bike to work.
25th Jan 2008, 22:16
This car is a great car. Most of the comments about this car are negative. You should realize that anyone could discourage you from buying this car. Read the facts from edmunds.com and the reviews.
21st Feb 2008, 15:24
I am a 51-yr.old female looking for a fun mid-life sporty car and have been looking quite a bit at the RX-8's. I keep seeing 2004 models, not a lot of 2005 or 2006 models. I know a bit about running the car at a higher rpm and the issue with the starting and shutting off of the engine without warming it up. We live in the country so will be driving it longer distances - not a lot of city driving. Would most of you allow your Mom or wife to buy one of these? If so what year and if not why not. I would really appreciate any feedback I could get within the next month. Thank-you so much.
2nd Mar 2008, 12:27
First of all I guess you can call us confused! We have the RX-8 and it's very confusing how you can build a car that doesn't run when it's a certain temperature outside, and you have to run it so long before you can park it. We've had to have it towed twice for the old dealership saying" COLD START". I'm not a dummy, but isn't that why we buy cars so we don't get left out in the cold?
By the way, the old cold shaft starts at $750-$1000 to get repaired. I guess you should recall them all and start a big barn fire with them, and then we won't have any more cold starts around town. If you are smart don't be a BIG DUMMY and get left out in the cold twice.
Mazda you guess should at least put in your manual how to get it back started easy. Besides that no problems from the two cold dummies!!!
9th Oct 2008, 23:44
"If you are looking for a sports car with out the bulkiness or gas consumption of an American muscle car..."
The RX8 has less gas consumption than an American muscle car? You say your RX8 gets 18 mpg; the original reviewer reports that his RX8 gets 12 mpg. I have yet to see anyone here reach 20 mpg.
An '07 Mustang V8 gets 23 mpg, while an '07 Corvette gets 26 mpg - more than double what the reviewer's RX8 gets - and they are both heavier and more powerful cars.
In terms of fuel efficiency (i.e., fuel consumption considering the weight of the vehicle), the RX8 is probably the worst vehicle on the road.
9th Dec 2008, 18:15
You wouldn't hate your car so much if you had bought the 6spd. You lose a ton of hp with the auto, as well as most of the good parts of driving it- revved high is where it wants to be.
16th Jan 2009, 14:40
OK, I own a 2004 RX8, and I bought it with 65k miles; a little much I know, but I love this car.
As for gas mileage, I just took a trip back home and got 20-21 mpg going anyway from 70 to 80 mph. Now with that in mind, when I am in town and driving it the way a sports car should be driven, I get anywhere between 13 to 15 mpg. To me it just depends on how you want to drive you car.
So far the only problem I have had with the car is the check engine light; a PCM needs reprogramming and I had to replace it. Other than that the car is fine.
But I recently went to the dealership to get the warranty history of the car, and it has had all the recalls done to it.
As for the flooding of the car, I have had it happen to me, but it was after I moved it like 50 feet and shut it down. All I did to fix it was, I pulled out the fuse for the fuel pump and followed the flooded procedure for the car. After I did the procedures a couple of times, I put the fuse back in and it started right up.
Again for the fuel mileage, I knew what I was getting into before I got the car, so it was no surprise to me the mileage I get.
Other than that, I love the car. I would still buy it today after reading all these blogs.
12th May 2009, 23:10
I am in the market for a reasonably priced sports car. I was thinking about the RX8, but after reading all of this, I doubt I will get one. Some of you guys are in denial. A 30K sports car should not "use oil" or need special procedures to be started.. That's ridiculous! Almost as ridiculous as the atrocious gas mileage. My 6000 pound AWD GMC Truck gets at least 14 mpg avg city/hwy...and it has a 6.2 liter motor! (yes the equivalent of 5 Mazda rotary engines). I am thinking the Z or the new Genesis Coupe.
8th May 2007, 17:53
I had a similar problem with my RX-8... the outside temp was no less than 60°F, but my engine was not fully warmed.