2004 Mazda RX8 from North America - Comments

Not one of the four recalls was done to this car.

The transmission was replaced just 4 weeks after I bought the car. The car was missing a lot of parts that should have been there like the engine cover and driver side inner fender. All this I discovered after I bought the car. I went back to the dealer to try to get the items, he said that's what happens when you buy a used car. This used car was $25,000, total after taxes $36,000. I do agree it's my fault for placing trust in the salesmen and the dealer. I love the look and drive of the Mazda RX8 but yesterday the same transmission noise came back that I heard before the transmission when out, so tomorrow it's going back to the dealership.

Also when I had them check the stereo they damaged the dash. If it wasn't for me looking at the damaged dash I would have never been told.

I love the car, women love the car. It's the first car that has gotten me girls and I have driven great cars: 65 mustang, toyota supra. But none like this one.

It cost $25000, and $36000 after taxes?! You sure you got your math right? Where in North America do you have taxes of 44%?!?!?

I leased my RX8 January 2004 and it received a new engine April 2004. This car has been a problem every since I've had it. It is worthless and my friends often laugh at me when I show up at an engagemet without it because it's usually in the shop. This is an idea car for someone who has a summer car and a winter car. It is worthless during the winter because the engine usually floods. It sucks. During the time my car was in the shop (about 3wks) I had the pleasure of having a rental car (a Kia) which is not comparable to my car, but it seemed to be more dependable. In a sense, I paid over $500 that month to lease the Kia because they kept my car about a month. Every time I go to the dealership there are several RX8s waiting to be serviced. I went on vacation and my car had to be towed to the dealership. I am absolutely scared to drive this car out of town. It is definitely a thorn in my side. I also went to the dealership on one occasion and I had to get a rental car. The agency asked if I had an RX8 and I said "yes" and I wanted to know why. I was informed that the bulk of their rentals were given out to people with RX8s. I absolutely hate my car and it is the worst decision I ever made. I think when my lease is up I will be at the lot at 12am until they open and I am going to ride off on my bike. The only good thing about this car is that it is anti-theft. If a thief tries to steal it it probably won't start anyway. I have better tennis shoes.

I wish to god I had leased my car, it would have been returned to the dealership in a New York minute - the very day the lease would have been over. I bought PAID IN FULL a 2004 automatic RX8 in July 2004. The engine light has come on numerous times and I take it in and they shut it off - only to have it come back on again a few weeks later. This week the power steering quit working when driving down the road. After shutting off the car the power steering worked on the next restart, whew! They have done the recall (replaced the catalyctic converter and spark plugs).

I absolutely love the handling and look of the car, but I was extremely dissatisfied with my purchase of the Rx8. Transmission noises, terrible gas mileage, and constant service. I was told by the dealership to use synthetic oil, after talking to various rx7 and rx8 enthusiasts I found out that the dealership had absolutely no idea what they were talking about and that I should be using regular oil. I had the car for a hair pulling five months before I traded it in. The new car is a Honda S2000 and I have never been happier. Sorry Mazda, but I will never, ever, ever, ever, own another one of your cars.