2003 Mazda RX8 from North America - Comments

My motor had to be replaced at 642 miles.

My air conditioning unit had to be replaced at 2,000 miles.

My driver side sun visor had to be replaced at 2,500 miles.

This car has been at the dealership more than in my garage.

The sporty look of this car is not worth the hassle of wondering what is going to go wrong next.

Do not expect Mazda to go out of their way to satisfy a customer.

You will be much better off with a Toyota, Honda, or Mitsubishi. I have owned them all.

I have had my high power manual rx-8 since June 2004.

I live in the U.K. and the car has been fine since I got it.

I get the manufacturer's stated mpg figures, and I the more miles I put on it the better it seems to get.

So far I have made 3500 miles and am now using my second liter of semi-synthetic oil.

My general comment is that this car does exactly what it says on the tin.

I Think, this Review is a Fake... I Think...But I can be wrong...

This review is crap. this guy must have drivin his car at 7000 rpm for every second he owned it. probably never put oil in it, drove it off roads, blew it up, etc. mazda rx-8s are beautiful, and they goooo. I have owned one for a year now and the thing is gorgeous. don't listen to this crap review. the guy probably doesn't even own the car.

I am not sure I believe this guy's review. It would be better to know a few facts about why the engine had to be replaced and why the deal was unhelpful.

Well, since the RX8 was a new car with a radical different engine design than the RX7, some problems must have been made with the early ones. So I don't think the review is fake, just someone who's not as patient as the rotary die-hards.

In my driving life experience, I have hardly heard that the new car's engine must be replaced. Mazda is well known of their reliability. Hmm... i have read most of the reviews here, but I have to say that this owner of RX7.5..oppss, I mean RX8 :) really drives the car to the limit. Anyway, guys.. happy motoring..

I would almost agree with he original poster. He seemed to have a greater issues with his/her RX8 then I, but I have had continual problems with the car. Be them minor, but I have been left with a non drivable care more than a couple times.

All in all the car would be a great car if I could get it out of the dealership which is where its at now... 12/16/2004.

The RX-8 is a great looking automobile. I wish Mazda would do away with the hard plastic interior pieces though. The silver paint on the hard plastic around the instrument panel cheapens an otherwise fantastic vehicle. The feel of the trip odometer reset button is very flimsy too. Mazda should take a page from Toyota or VW and use higher quality pieces in the interior.

WOW not a very informed driver ---- possible poor dealer performance-- poor performance from the owner when presenting the vehicle for repair. A small number on engine replacements were expected. Oh that's right you don't get to see industry sensitive data. From someone who does ease up on the dealer they might be more cooperative. Bottom line -- great veh -- not enough wheaties -- great start regaining performance standards.

Fantastic Car so far. Bought it in january (Canadian Weather) put snow tires all the way around feel safer than I did with my 2000 Honda accord. time will tell if the realiablity will match that of the Honda. haven't felt the excitment of driving sence I had my 1989 Pontiac Fiero GT. Certainly this car blows that car away.

Couldnt be happier with the purchase.

ZOOM ZOOM.

I wish people would write "my example of x car sucks" instead of "they all suck I'll never buy an X again." With any purchase you play the odds.. the odds are better for a Toyota than a Dodge, but there still will be problems in some Toyotas. I read a review of a Honda... motor blew and they are pieces of crap... or something to that effect.. and there were 20 or so comments saying that it was probably the guys fault the motor blew... Similar to some of the reviews here... Realize that everyone has different experiences and that it all will come out in the wash. (ie., the good cars will have more smiley faces than frowny faces..)

By the way I had a crappy example of a pretty crappy car.. take a look at all the sad faces on the Jettas, Golfs and the Beetles..wow.

This car is great had no problems with it at all. People seem to judge mazda, but their died wrong about the rx8. The best thrill I had driving this car then any other.

OK, to the poor guy whoi is getting hammered on his engine replacement story... I hear ya man! I have just been through the exact same thing and believe me this thing was babied from new. My wife drives it very gently and it has had everything in terms of care per the warranty schedule. So you are aware, there were 5 more in the same dealship when mine was there... for exactly the same issue waiting for engines. The service amanger informed me that this is becoming somewhat of a chronic problem, expecially in warmer climates or higher altitudes. For those of you that have an 8 and love it, congratulations. For those of you looking at one, take a really long look!