After putting 32k +/- miles on my 2004 6 speed I've made these observations:

- 4 recalls in less than 2 years?! For cars designed in the 70's this may have been commonplace, but in '05 this is unacceptable.

- Gas mileage is shameful. A Corvette gets better highway mileage despite having more than 4 times the displacement of the Renesis engine.

- Materials are sub-par. Seats have worn prematurely, plastic interior panels scuff easily, weather seals are disintegrating.

- It can be entertaining if driven hard. But during my everyday commute it's as bland as an econo-box (except, of course, for the poor mileage).

- In tight quarters it's difficult to maneuver around the 'suicide' doors.

Overall, I'm sad to say that this is one of the least satisfying cars that I've owned.

My 2004 Mazda RX8, with 50,000 miles on it, has been back to the dealership four times in the last six months. At first, it would get hot and require 10-15 minutes of cooling time in order to re-start. Yesterday, it would not start at all. When they get it running again, I'm trading it in. Fun car, looks great, but I can't deal with the lack of reliability.

I had to have the RX-8 as soon as I saw it in the summer of 2003! I bought one of the the very first vehicles off the production line. It is a gorgeous car, but the reliability has been disappointing. It has been in the shop at least a dozen times and has had a variety of problems. I am extremely sad about having to trade it in soon, but I need a vehicle that can get me back and forth to work!

Just to let you know Mazda is right now recalling all the RX8's, and when you go to the dealership, they will check the compression, and if it doesn't pass, they will replace the whole engine. Read it at www.cars.com. You might have to look down a little with the news...