Entered CNET Catalog: 04/29/2005
SKU: 100463530
Manufacturer: Mazda
Product summary
The good: High-revving rotary engine; room for four.
The bad: Below-average fuel economy; few high-tech options.
The bottom line: The RX-8's video game looks and rotary engine give it a technology edge, but its lack of cabin gadgets keeps the focus on driving.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 07/14/2005
Short on options
Inside, the Mazda RX-8's cabin is comfortable and contemporary, without a hint of wood grain or the faux-fiber and brushed-steel accents that seem to dominate current interior designs. Front bucket seats are firm and supportive with enough side bolstering to keep occupants in place during aggressive driving.
Controls are fairly intuitive and grouped within easy reach, although there are a few more buttons than necessary. The stereo has both a seek and a tune function, in the form of a rocker switch and a knob below it, where one switch could easily do both tasks. The same is true with the moonroof, where open and tilt functions are separately switched.
The control that does work flawlessly is the six-speed transmission lever. It feels like it's connected directly to the gears beneath it, providing short, precise connections with each gear. A soft, yet direct clutch action works nicely with the transmission to make the most of Mazda's modest 159 pound-feet of torque.
There's little in the high-tech touch-and-feel department to thrill and amaze gadget aficionados. You won't find a Bluetooth interface for cell phones or keyless starting lurking inside the RX-8, but you'll find a well-equipped sports car with solid performance that's priced just above compact sedans. For those who want more, a Grand Touring package adds a 300-watt Bose stereo, heated and powered leather seats, a moonroof, HomeLink, xenon headlights, fog lights, and stability control. The package also adds $4,250 to the window sticker.
The technical highlight of Mazda's RX-8 is its rotary power. The tiny 1.3-liter engine produces 238 horsepower, enough to launch the light Mazda from 0 to 60 in a little less than 6 seconds. Although there's enough power on tap, the modest torque won't snap your head back. In fact, this is an engine that requires just the right gear selection to maximize its efficiency.
The rotary sensation isn't about stump-pulling torque or tire smoking--it's about enjoying the turbine whine and smooth acceleration. For most adult enthusiasts, this is not a difficult taste to acquire. And the six-speed manual transmission has close ratios to match the RX-8's engine speed with the requirements of spirited driving.
Mazda has given the low torque a boost by using a fairly high rear-axle ratio. At highway speeds, the little rotor is humming at 4,000rpm, a speed that invites an upshift in most new cars. But the higher engine speed is neither harsh nor obtrusive to driving enjoyment; it just extracts a fuel economy penalty. The RX-8 gets an EPA rating of 18mpg in the city and 24mpg on the highway. By comparison, an eight-cylinder Corvette gets 18mpg and 28mpg for city and highway, respectively.
Accident avoidance
The Mazda RX-8's greatest contribution to safety is its ability to avoid that lumbering SUV driven by an avid conversationalist. The vehicle's perfect balance is complemented with independent double-wishbone suspension up front and multilink in the rear. Big antilock disc brakes with vented rotors and electronic-brake assist bring the 3,029-pound coupe to a quick stop, and the electric-assisted rack-and-pinion steering is precise. If a collision is unavoidable, the RX-8 protects its occupants with a steel safety cage and dual-stage front air bags supplemented with side air bags mounted in the seat backs.
There are lots of sport cars vying for attention in today's market. The average buyer in this category wants a combination of high style and performance. Mazda delivers a nice balance of those attributes at an affordable price along with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty for peace of mind.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14out of 14 user reviews
Lots of fun, could be better on gas by now
Pros: Lots of fun to drive. Doesn't use as much oil as the RX-7's used too. Great handling & just overall fun-to-drive. The suicide doors are handy once in blue moon, they help for insurance costs. The RX-7s had high insurance rates for a 2 door coupe.
Cons: Gas mileage has not improved that much over the years. Cooling fans come on too late, typical of trying to meet EPA emissions. Cup holders are useless, I use them for storage. The 2004-5 models with 4 speeds AT are geared too tall for 3rd and 4th.
out of 14 user reviews
This car loves to be driven
Pros: best handling car I have ever driven
Cons: burns gas like a Lear jet. 12 MPG when driven hard
out of 14 user reviews
Gracefully powerful
Pros: - Always a pleasure to drive, even on days you don't want to drive a sports car - Comfortable Feel - Excellent DTS stability - If you love cars, you'll love the RX8
Cons: - Poor Gas milage - Needs Oil - 6 Cd changer brakes down if you use burned CDs.
If you want the successor to the Rx7 Turbo, buy an RX8, and a turbo kit (325 bhp), you will never look at another car again, except perhaps in your rear view mirror.
Also, women seem to love looking at this car (No offense to any reader out there) - but this car IS foreplay.
See you on the road!
out of 14 user reviews
Graceful Power and control
Pros: - Always a pleasure to drive, even on days you don't want to drive a sports car - Comfortable Feel - Excellent DTS stability - If you love cars, you'll love the RX8
Cons: - Poor Gas milage - Needs Oil - 6 Cd changer brakes down if you use burned CDs.
If you want the successor to the Rx7 Turbo, buy an RX8, and a turbo kit (325 bhp), you will never look at another car again, except perhaps in your rear view mirror.
Also, women seem to love looking at this car (No offense to any reader out there) - but this car IS foreplay.
See you on the road!
out of 14 user reviews
Isn't driveability what a sports car is about?
Pros: Killer styling, great handling, useful backseats!
Cons: Mileage is low, burns oil faster
out of 14 user reviews
Car or a home Stereo?
Pros: Handling, Power, Exclusivity
Cons: torque, gas mileage
out of 14 user reviews
Slick , Practical and Unique!
Pros: 4 seat sports car. Super quiet and great Looking
Cons: Poor gas milage. Needs more torque
out of 14 user reviews
Excellent driver's car withoustanding feel and comfort
Pros: Engine, handling, steering response,shifter
Cons: gas mileage
out of 14 user reviews
This car will get you looked at ALOT
Pros: Beautiful styling, Power is there in the mid to high RPMs, Quiet
Cons: Very low ground clearance
out of 14 user reviews
Very Stylish Design
Pros: Rotary engine and power of technology
Cons: Good Combination
GOODLUCK, TARASHE
out of 14 user reviews
bold look...rotary engine?
Pros: unique style inside and out. fresh look for price range.
Cons: no respect for previous RX-7. no proof rotary engine has been perfected.
out of 14 user reviews
great car with some extra care needed
Pros: One of the most fun cars I have ever driven. Still fun to drive after 2 years. Extra room for 4 compared to other sports cars and the rear seats are actually comfortable for people with short legs
Cons: takes premium gas and get terrible gas milage. Engine uses oil. Engine can flood easily and keep the car from starting. Standard tires are terrible in the snow
The car gets bad gas milage. I don't drive very aggresively with the car that often and I average 18 mpg even on mixed driving trips. On long highway trips I have seen 22 or 23 mpg once or twice. The engine is designed to use oil as it runs. The more aggresive you drive the car the more oil you seem to burn. I have heard of people using a quart every 1000 miles or so. I can last close to 3000 miles with out adding a quart.
The car has terrible snow traction with the stock tires. Don't try driving with anything but bare road if you have these tires still on the car. Also if you drive the car for a short distance and the engine has not warmed up but you shut the car off. You run the risk of flooding the engine which most of the time means you need actually have the car towed to the dealer or disconnect the fuel pump to fix. The last issue is really inconvient. It has only happened to me once when my father borrowed the car. I am sure it is worse in cold weather states but it is something people should know before buying the car.
out of 14 user reviews
One of a kind; a marval of engineering showcase
Pros: INCREDITBLE Balanced Handling, strong brakes, surprising space/utility, super smooth engine, good looks, slick 6sp, comfy ride for a sports car, great cabin and seats that holds during cornering,
Cons: Fuel/oil comsumption, Road Noise, seats lacks lumber support, lack low-end torque, murcky sounding Bose stereo especially radio, not much else
Fuel consumption is below its class at around 18mpg for non aggressive driving and 16mpg when I get semi aggressive.
I had to add about 1 quart of oil every 5000 which isn't too bad but the factory oil was bad and needed flushing the engine after only 5000.
In sum, this is truely a fantastic sports car that satisfy most of my go fast ego and providing suprising utility and civility in the process. No car is perfect, but if fun balance handling with smooth and somewhat powerful engine is what your looking for, look no further.
I looked at the 350Z and the S2000 and even consider stepping up to the Corvette but felt those vehicles beg for too much compromise in space and ride althought all are more powerful and faster. But one thing to keep in mind is that speed is something you can get used to but too find a balanced handling car out of the factory is rare and that is why I decided to lease a RX8 instead of the others.
out of 14 user reviews
Lively and fun
Pros: very spacious for a sports car - suicide doors work great
Cons: rear end too lively on acceleration, high oil consumption
The RX8 accelerates well, the rotary very eager to red line. This car is much easier to drive than earlier models, but the rear end does have a tendency to step out when you accelerate hard - almost too easy to do. Caring for the rotary engine is better than earlier models too - but you do need to take special care.
Oil consumption is not as bad as some reviews have suggested, but having to check the oil level at each (too frequent) gas topup is cumbersome and annoying.
The interior is very well appointed and designed. The RX8 hugs you and almost bonds with you as you blend with the car
