2005 Mazda RX8 GT from North America - Comments

Check engine light went on after 150 miles. A software upgrade on the computer was needed for this known issue.

I love this car. I have driven it 1600 miles now in a little over a month. The cornering in this car is like nothing I have driven before. The steering is very tight and precise. A 90 degree turn at 45 MPH is barely noticeable. Acceleration is good, but it's not as fast as some other cars in the category. The value for the money is great. You get a serious car for the money. Oh yeah, if you buy one, be prepared for head turns and people gaping. It is a very sharp car and everyone wants to talk to you about it.

... wait until you hit the one year mark... this will start wearing out, stuff will start falling off, and it may or may not start when called upon. An occasionally fun car, when it works.

I purchased my RX8 6 speed in August of 2004. I use it as my daily driver. It has weathered two winters in Cleveland, Ohio needing nothing more than a change to snow tires. I have had zero problems with the car. Based on the other posts in this train, perhaps the build quality is erratic, but my personal experience has been outstanding.

I just purchase a 04 Rx8 about 2 week ago. With 32k, it seem to run perfectly. My previous car is and still is, a 99 Mitsubishi eclipse gst. Just like the Rx8 many people dog the eclipse. My thing is if you’re getting a sport car, treat it like one. Let the car warm up before ripping through the RPM, check the oil, 93 octane gas. With the Rx8, because of the design, the engine is know to be flooded. Mazda even send out a dvd showing how to take care of the cold start problem. If you want a sport car that “look fast” but reliable, then get a Celica. Driving a sport car is a hobby. A hobby is always time consuming.

A DVD explaining how to remedy a flooded engine? Funny, I never got mine.

Driving a sports car is a hobbie that is time consuming? Not necessarily... my Porsche never required special treatment, and never left me stranded.

93 Octane? Well, my 300 hp Mustang takes 87 and I've seen 26 mph on the freeway.

RX8 can be very entertaining under ideal circumstances, to me, is not worth the money, nor headaches.

Every model has issues and they vary in both frequency and severity. Especially prone to issues are those models which employ new technology, innovative designs, and radically different approaches to challenges. Only in retrospect will Mazda's brave choice to champion the rotary engine technology be fairly judged. At this point it would seem, given the current trend towards "greener" cars, that the renesis powerplant is at a disadvantage compared with modern conventional piston technology. However significant improvements in materials may soon crack the thermoinefficiency that currently plagues the Renesis. Hats off to Mazda for having the fortitude to pursue what may emerge as the engine of the future.

It always makes me laugh when americans talk about premium gas at only 93 octane!!! here in uk we can only get 95 octane and super unleaded which is either 97 or 98 octane depending which garage you buy it from. in japan they use 100 octane fuel. just surprises me that octane ratings in the 80's actually exists!