Finally - another rotary sports car
Written: Oct 24 '03 (Updated Jan 19 '04)
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Pros: Smooth, powerful, easy to drive, smiling all the way.
Cons: city driving drops mileage into teens, unknown reliability
The Bottom Line: Mazda made a winner. This car is the best sports sedan in its price class by far, and carries on the rotary tradition in fine fashion.
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| dgeesaman's Full Review: 2004 Mazda RX-8 |
I am a 94 RX-7 owner, and when the local dealerships showed stock of RX-8s I had to stop by and test drive one. This review intends to share my perspective of the RX-7 vs. the RX-8, and complement the other excellent reviews written by owners.
RX-8 vs the RX-7:
Mazda's goals were clear with the RX-8 - do not repeat the mistakes made with the 3rd generation RX-7 turbo, a car that arguably damaged the reputation of the rotary engine. For the fantastic fun the RX-7s are, they weren't reliable or practical, and the rapidly dropping sales from 93-95 demonstrated that public opinion. With RX-8's sedan seating and no turbos it's simply a different class of sports car. The RX-8 offers a long list of options and niceties while the RX-7 has few. Around town the RX-7 is a matter of driving a race car on city streets, while the RX-8 is driving a pleasure car with a tremendous talent for weekend track driving. The RX-7 is terrible for long-distance driving, the RX-8 should prove excellent, with adjustability and space for nearly any size person. Storage space - in the RX-8 there is good space for a car of its size, but in the RX-7 there is frustratingly little. While the RX-7 needed constant maintenance for its million parts, the RX-8 should fare far better from normal aspiration and engineering refinement. The RX-8 is more comfortable, a fun rather than ferocious experience for 4.
Driving:
The enjoyment of driving this car can pick you up from your worst days. The braking and handling are fantastic - so smooth and precise you begin to take this kind of performance for granted. Tests indicate it outstops and outhandles some very impressive (and expensive) competitors. It might not push hard off the line, but it's wonderful fun once moving. The 1.3L "Renesis" engine climbs readily all the way to 9000 rpm - like a ride down a sliding board. The twin-turbo RX-7 gets to redline much faster, but in forceful jumping surges as the turbos engage. Unlike a piston engine, the Renesis seems happy near redline.
Down low the engine lacks power. This is due to the characteristic rotary engine power curve, and it means maximum performance launches from a dead stop require the driver to dump the clutch at high rpm (really high - like 7k). I don't consider this a fault though since this car isn't a dragster - it's just a different feel from piston engines and the upshot is city driving is much more comfortable. Unless you want to cook eggs on your clutch housing and have it replaced as often as your tires, this means peak dead-stop acceleration cannot be a daily event. The RX-8's 6-speed gearshift is tactile and easy to operate, and the clutch allows you to engage with undetectable smoothness. I've owned and driven several manual transmission cars, and this is honestly the most enjoyable transmission I've shifted yet.
Premium fuel is required, and based on the chat at the RX-8 forum, gas mileage usually doesn't hit 20mpg in the city. But all of them reluctantly admit to enjoying the acceleration and cornering speed more than the government testers did.
Surprisingly, the British car show Top Gear reviewed this car and found it tied the BMW M3 and Nissan 350z on their very technical test track. That's a lot more racecar than I initially gave the RX-8 credit for. They attested this to its ability to handle and the car's power/weight ratio.
Appearance:
This car is sexy. The last RX-7 was a celebrated styling accomplishment, and the RX-8 raises the bar again. I usually take years to fully fall in love with a design, but the RX-8 has me already. It's a very busy design, with many edges, textures, and curves, but none of them are too extreme. The elements work together like a colorful tapestry, none overpowering. Everything is balanced yet aggressive. I can honestly say this car grabs my attention every time I see one on the roads. Wear your best sunglasses, cause you'll be seen.
Practicality:
Interior space is very comfortable for the front passengers, but the back has cramped legroom if the front seats are pushed back. Entering the rear seats is a breeze with the unique suicide doors. But other than the footroom, there is lots of space for the rear passengers (compared to other small sedans of course - this ain't a crown vic). The trunk is useably large, but still narrow and deep - good for hauling groceries but not golf clubs.
Reliability:
Following the discussions on rx8forum.com shows some new car niggles with a few owners, but no show-stoppers I would worry about. Just treat your rotary gently until it's warmed up and keep the fluids topped and you'll be fine. But still it's too early to tell.
All in all, this is one great sports car. Since I already have an impractical hardtop speedster (the 94 RX-7) eating my money, I'm not going to buy the RX-8. But if Mazda ever adapts this into a convertible, WOW - I might have to put the full-court press on my girlfriend to indulge in her convertible fantasies.
There is a boatload of information about the RX-8 over at www.rx8forum.com. Check it out and search the FAQ and discussions.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 30000
Condition: New
Model and Options: 6-speed
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Epinions.com ID:
dgeesaman
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Member: David
Location: Harrisburg, PA, USA
Reviews written: 49
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Mechanical Engineer, 31. Enjoy golf, distance running, hiking/backpacking, auto racing, fishing, and ice hockey.
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