Mazda RX-8 > Reviews (29)

I have owned many Japanese sports cars over the years and when the chance of an RX8 came my way I dived in feet first and bought it without even taking a test drive.

Mine is an 06 model RX8- 192 with 40K on the clock and is in superb condition only having had one owner from new.This is the 5 speed 192 BHP model and has premium two tone leather red/black (£1600 option new) very smart looking with velocity red bodywork.It has a golden mica sheen that only appears in bright sunlight,otherwise it looks non metallic red on a cloudy day,very unusual but beautiful looking as it suddenly comes "alive" like magic when the sun shines.

It has a premium sound system by Bose,CD,radio,other comforts include heated seats that are electrically adjustable,airconditioning and for the ladies the all important vanity mirror and built in light.Not too be used while driving of course!

Safety features include a traction and stability control system (it can be switched off if you are feeling brave or stupid!), airbags for front and rear passangers all round,it scores so well that the insurance group is a mere 14/15 for the RX8 depending on the model and power rating.There is a 231 BHP model with 6 speed transmission,you can get automatic versions too.Another reason for the low insurance group is the small 1300 rotary engine (equivalent to a 2600 piston engine),don't be fooled into thinking this tiny engine can't be capable of much,its amazing.Road tax just £235,low for this class of car.

To get the best from an RX8 is effortless,over 4000 rpm it comes alive,good roar from the exhaust and a constant thrust of power is delivered upto the redline at around 7000rpm.The engine sounds are remarkable,a soft whirring noise like a washing machine,never intrusive,super smooth and quiet.The speedo is a digital number readout and you have to glance down and check your speed as it is so easy to shoot well over the speed limit without trying.These are quick cars and handling is pin sharp having a perfect 50/50 weight distribution and rear wheel drive like a proper sports car should have.

Cornering is flat and direct,no understeer,just a little tail happy having a tendancy to oversteer if pushing too hard but very easy to control with no nasty suprises even in the wet.Those 18 inch alloys and Bridgestone Potenza tyres hold the car down on the road like no other 4 door coupe I have ever driven,its as good as a Lotus Elise!

The clever design fools you into thinking its just a 2 door,but open the drivers door and you will find a black handle on the inside of the rear door and hay presto it opens up the opposite way as it is hinged at the rear C pillar.This small rear door opens to reveal a generous back seat area for two and big enough for adults too,unless your 6ft plus.This is a very safe arrangement for kids as they can only get out when the front passengers get out first and open the front doors.No climbing over from seat to seat in the back,strictly a snug 2+2 arrangement here.

There is a generous boot and a clever ski hatch,just open up the compartment in the middle on the inside and they slide in on top of the transmission tunnel through a hole in the back of the boot,great idea!

No spare wheel,just a kit for temporary repair of your flat,never used one of these but seems a good idea.

Open the bonnet and there is a series of large plastic covers "Renesis" cover hides the disappointing looking tiny 1300 rotary engine that sits almost under the dash,hence the light weight of the RX8 and pefect 50/50 weight distribution.It may look like a washing machine motor and sound like one but driving it is a thrill.Front left cover hides the battery,plenty of space under the bonnet so its all easy to work on.To the right is the oil dipstick,bright yellow and easy to spot but only if you remove the Renesis cover,not a difficult job but a bit inconvenient if you are in a hurry on the petrol station forcourt.

IMPORTANT-Rotary engines are ultra reliable if you look after them properly.The unit uses a little squirt of oil to lubricate seals and prevent premature wear of the turbine blade tips.There is a series of 100ml indicators on the dipstick so its simple,just top it up every third fill up at the petrol station.I have no problem with this and it only uses about 10ml every 500 miles or so.MPG is mid 20's for my car,I guess the RX8-192 has a lower state of tune and is more economical than its big brother but the performance is great,0-60 sub 7 secs and will probably go on to around 140 mph so no big difference in the real world of driving.The best part of this car is the handling,as good as any mid engined 2 seat car.Mazda should try making a super hot version,Twin turbo with 300 BHP would be great,the chassis can easily manage,remember the last RX7.

In conlusion,RX8 is a seriously good car to drive and excellent value for money as a second hand buy especially.They are good looking,practical car for this class of 2+2 with more room than most.Fuel economy is reasonable,maintenance is not a big issue with 12500 mile service intervals,no cambelt to worry about,no head gaskets to blow up,very few moving parts and Mazda reliability make this a no brainer,just buy one and see for yourself.

Alloys do have a tendancy to corrode too easily,mine are ok but some of the cars a year or two older with the same alloys seemed quite bad with bubbling paint,thats the only negative I can think of.If you are buying secondhand there are plenty out there to choose from.Just make sure it has a good Mazda service record and there should be no problem.If it has had too many owners just be careful,like any used car there is always a good reason for selling it so get it tested if you do not know what you're doing.

Important Extra info-These are very easy to flood on start up,a common fault so I am told and best avoided by not stepping full on the gas pedal on start up as you don't need to.If you do flood it by mistake you may have to wait hours before you can try again,don't blame the car as its just the way its made.Mine has never done this thankfully but after talking to another owner who has had his a few years,it happened once ever and it was his own fault for not reading the manual.He did not know what was wrong and had the car transported to his local Mazda garage,cost including recovery was £150,ouch.He should have joined the AA!