Is the Mazda RX-8 a Good Car?

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Mazda’s Improved Version of the RX-7

The Mazda RX-8 was intended to improve upon the winning formula of the RX-7 with fun driving dynamics and a unique rotary engine. It mostly does that with exceptional balance and handling, but it also had a few drawbacks. So, is the Mazda RX-8 a good car? Ray Skillman Northeast Mazda takes a look.

What Made the RX-8 Unique and Fun?

The Mazda RX-8 is a cult classic for a reason. Its rotary engine was its most standout feature, with smooth power delivery and high revs. The RX-8 also impressed with balanced and agile handling. It was unbeatable fun on lonely highways and winding roads. Despite its sports car designation, the RX-8 was actually pretty practical inside. While it didn’t have four full doors, it did have four seats and a reasonable amount of cargo space in the trunk. The rear-hinged hidden doors made it fairly easy to access the back seat, too.

A Brief History of the Mazda RX-8

The first generation of the Mazda RX-8 came out in 2003 after the beloved RX-7 was discontinued in Japan. At the outset, it was somewhat disappointing sans the twin turbos of the outgoing RX-7. The base trim wasn’t available in North America, so only the high-powered trim that made 273 horsepower hit our shores.

The second generation started with the 2009 model and began mostly with a facelift. The performance was tweaked with shorter gear ratios and better acceleration. The main models were the Sport and Grand Touring. The engines were the same, but the Grand Touring offered a nicer interior and more options.

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The Mazda RX-8 was discontinued globally in 2012, concluding the second generation. The reasons were mainly increasing emissions standards, poor fuel economy, and sales declines. Mazda began shifting its focus to more environmentally friendly technology, and the equally fun but more fuel-efficient Mazda MX-5 Miata was pushed to the forefront as its sports model.

Downsides of the Mazda RX-8

Typical of Mazda sports cars, the Mazda RX-8 was fun to drive and offered some reasonable everyday practicality, it also had some problems. The rotary engine was powerful and smooth, but it wasn’t particularly reliable. It generated a lot of heat that broke down seals. An abundance of low-end torque made it a bit of a pain at the pump. It delivered notoriously poor fuel economy, especially if you had to drive in slow city traffic. Because of the higher maintenance costs and poor fuel economy, the RX-8 was an expensive vehicle as a daily driver.

Was it as bad as some people say? Not necessarily. The engine simply required a bit more maintenance than a regular piston engine to stay in good shape. While the fuel economy in city traffic situations was admittedly bad, it wasn’t as bad in highway driving, making it a fun roadtrip car.

A Mazda Sports Car For You at Ray Skillman Northeast Mazda

While the Mazda RX-8 is long gone as a current model, the Mazda MX-5 Miata is still going strong. Visit Ray Skillman Northeast Mazda to see the current Miata and explore its various trims. The Miata boasts a fun reputation with its light and balanced profile. At Ray Skillman Northeast Mazda, we have a wide range of used and new Mazda models to choose from.