I was never a fan of the naturally aspirated versions of the Mazda RX-7 back in the 1980s and early '90s, so when I heard that the all new Mazda RX-8 would be turboless I was not exactly thrilled about the news. The all new RX-8 is definitely eye candy, boasts a decent amount of horsepower, has an optional close ratio 6-speed transmission, but can it stack up against its more powerful turbocharged predecessor?
For the 2004 model year the RX-8 comes in no trim levels, just optional packages and transmissions. The RX-8 comes standard with a tiny naturally aspirated "Renesis" 1.3 liter rotary engine that produces either a healthy 197 horsepower with the 4-speed automatic (w/autoshift) or an even more impressive 238 horsepower at a heaven piercing 8,500 RPM with the 6-speed manual.
Driving Impressions:
The RX-8 weighs in at a relatively light 2,900lbs-3,200lbs (depending on options) so I was expecting its 238 horsepower and 159 lb-ft of torque coupled with a close ratio 6-speed manual to be more than enough to make this car a true street brawler. Although the RX-8 pulls extremely hard in both 1st and 2nd gears, the RX-8 still does not deliver the performance that its spreadsheet suggests.
The RX-8 is no slow poke by any means and is eons faster than its naturally aspirated predecessors, however it's not nearly as quick as cars like the Honda S2000 or the late turbocharged versions of the RX-7. To get the most out of the RX-8's tiny 1.3 liter rotary engine you must keep the engine revs between 6,000-9,000 RPM, otherwise the engine behaves more like a gas saver versus a thrill seeker. This is not exactly a big surprise considering the small size of this engine and certainly isn't a downfall for those who like to constantly shift into lower gears, but even at high revs the RX-8 doesn't feel as powerful as I would expect from car that boasts such a good power to weight ratio.
If you want to get the most out of the RX-8's engine you will find that 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gears are the most useful. Uncharacteristic of cars like the Nissan 350Z or even the Ford Mustang which have plenty of power post 3rd gear, the RX-8 just doesn't cut it at speeds below 60 MPH in higher gears. To explain, the RX-8 shows very little response to throttle pressure at 50-60 MPH in 4th-6th gears. As you shift into 5th and 6th at regular highway speeds the RX-8's ability to gain speed deteriorates faster than most sport natured cars on the market.
So, does the RX-8 really sound like an electric car? I keep reading this in magazines, however I found the RX-8 to be almost as normal sounding as the majority of high revving Japanese cars on the market, only quieter. To explain, the RX-8's 1.3 rotary shows very little signs of engine strain even when approaching its 9,000 RPM redline, so little strain in-fact that I suspect most people will find the up-shift chime to be useful. At startup and at low speeds, however, you will notice a particular whine that no other car on the market possesses. This engine whine is very subtle and I suspect most enthusiasts will find this sound more entertaining than annoying. One should also note that unlike many cars with small conventional engines, the RX-8 idles very quietly. Other than some vibration in the shifter, the RX-8 idles more like it is equipped with a refined V6 engine than the rotary engines I have come to know over the past 15 years.
The rear-wheel drive Mazda RX-8 may not be able to boast head snapping acceleration, but it can claim to be one of the best handlers with a base MSRP starting under 30 grand. The RX-8 is a blast to drive on twisty roads and should accommodate the most demanding of drivers, even those who own the last generation turbocharged versions of the RX-7. The RX-8 is very easy to drive aggressively on those 25 MPH bends in the road. Even first time drivers should be able to adapt easily to the way this car handles itself on these types of roads. Standard with the 6-speed (optional with the auto) comes wide, low profile P225/45WR 18" tires that help aid in the RX-8's ability to keep itself glued to the road.
Despite having a very high revving 1.3 liter rotary engine that spins at a reltively high 3,300 revs at 65 MPH, the RX-8 remains extremely quiet at highway speeds. The low decibel level in the cabin is more akin to a Lincoln Town Car than your typical Japanese pocket rocket. Since the RX-8 is a car that was obviously made for the driving enthusiast, the ride is not pillowy soft, yet the suspension still allows for a comfortable ride. Driving over road reflectors/road imperfections can definitely be felt, though the car remains totally solid, never feeling like you are going to be jolted onto your passenger's lap.
Like every naturally aspirated version of the RX-7 that I have driven, the new RX-8 is horrible at tackling steep hills and making quick passing maneuvers in top gear. Even slight grades require downshifts into 5th and sometimes even 4th gears. The good news is that the RX-8 is more than willing to cooperate when downshifting. Unlike most cars that give a sudden jolt when downshifting, the RX-8 simply provides smooth power without any fuss. Even when shifting down from 6th to 4th at 70 MPH the RX-8's engine is so smooth that you would never know that it just went from 3,500 RPM to a usually taxing 6,000 RPM.
Braking is excellent. Standard with the 6-speed comes large 4-wheel disc brakes coupled with ABS. This setup allows for very quick stopping power with no fade or vibration under heavy use whatsoever.
Great fuel economy is not exactly the RX-8's forte. The EPA rates the 6-speed at 18/24, this is comparable to what the 5.7 liter powered Chevrolet Impala got back in the mid 90s. In comparison to the RX-8's highway fuel consumption numbers, the 300 HP Volvo S60 R gets a rating of 30 MPG highway, the 305 HP Mustang Mach 1 gets 25, and the 400 HP+ Corvette receives almost 30 MPG.
Interior:
On almost ever interior feature of the RX-8 you'll find some sort of simulated titanium. From the Mazda logo on the steering wheel to the HVAC controls and shifter. I'm usually not a big fan of titanium accents, however Mazda has made the RX-8's interior look very handsome with this perfect amount of metal accents. Mazda has definitely made a huge turnaround when it comes to interior quality, nothing in this car feels cheap. I found the plastics throughout the RX-8's cabin to be surprisingly solid and the overall feel to be more refined than any of Mazda's current offerings.
Mazda also did an exceptional job with the RX-8's ergonomics. The HVAC controls are located a bit low on the dash, although thanks to the short gear shifter it doesn't make them hard to access when driving. The RX-8's interior definitely looks Japanese but has more of a European flavor to it than the late RX-7.
Like more expensive sports cars that normally come from overseas, Mazda makes no compromise when it comes to embellishments. Standard on the RX-8 comes a generous amount of amenities. Some noteworthy standard features include six air bags; 2 side, 2 front, and 2 curtain, power everything, heated power seats, cruise control, tilt wheel, and much more. Standard with the MT Grand Touring option ($4,000) comes an awesome sounding Bose stereo system with 9 speakers, heated leather seating, handling upgrades, a moonroof and much more. For info on all standard and optional amenities for the RX-8, you can visit Mazda's main site at www.MazdaUSA.com.
Seating is excellent with the MT Grand Touring Package; the heated leather seats are both supportive and comfortable. The upper bolstering of the seats are prominent, yet not overly so. These seats should accommodate both small and large drivers. The lower bolsters could be raised a bit for aggressive driving, though this is not a major complaint by any means.
Unless you have lived in a cave over the past year, you should know that the RX-8 is a 4 door (rear suicide doors that can only be opened from the inside) 4 seater coupe. The exterior design suggests that the interior would be absolutely cramped for any more than 2 adults; oh contraire. Being 5'6" I had no problem getting comfortable in either the front or back of this car. Don't get me wrong, the back is not loaded with leg room, but compared to most 2+2 sports cars there is more than enough room. Head room is also more than adequate. I imagine there should be plenty of head room for those over 6,' that's including tall passengers who must sit in the back. Entering and exiting this vehicle from the rear is also very easy, if you have children I imagine this asset will be very useful.
Storage is not exactly this car's best selling point, nor should it be. The glove box is of a decent size and there are a few storage cubbies in the cabin, however the trunk is absolutely tiny. Instead of a hatch, the RX-8 offers a conventional style sedan trunk. This may sound fine, however the opening into the trunk is almost as small as the Miata's and the space inside offers just enough room for a few grocery bags.
Exterior:
Although the exterior design may be a bit controversial, I wouldn't change anything about it. Similar to the buzz that the 3rd generation RX-7 caused when it hit the streets back in 1992, the 2004 RX-8 is all about people letting loose their love or hate for the appearance of this car. Most people loved the car, however there were still many who commented that it looked like a "cheap economy car". Love it or hate it, the RX-8 is definitely a looker, unique, and in my eyes the best looking automobile to come from Mazda's workshop since the 3rd generation RX-7. Standard on the 6-speed equipped models come very attractive 18" alloy rims. I highly recommend this car with the big wheels, the standard 16" wheels on the automatic models look too small for this vehicle.
Pricing/Warranty:
The RX-8 starts at around $25,500 for the automatic and approx. $27,000 with the 6-speed manual. My 6-speed equipped RX-8 came with the MT Touring Package (highly recommended) which brought the price just north of $32,000 after taxes. This cost is about $4,000 cheaper than the comparably equipped 350Z that I drove earlier this year. If anything does go wrong with your new RX-8, Mazda offers an adequate 4 year, 50,000 mile bumper-bumper warranty, and a 4 year, 50,000 mile powertrain warranty with roadside assistance.
Final Thoughts:
I really enjoyed my time with the 2004 RX-8. The RX-8 could do with a lot more mid-range power, but as it stands it's a decent performing car with tons of personality, style, and luxury at a lower than expected price. The RX-8 is also a car that is very easy to drive. So, my recommendations for this car go out to everyone who likes 2+2 sport coupes with the civility of 4-doors.
- Thanks for reading!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 33,000
Condition: New Model Year: 2004 Model and Options: 6-speed manual
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
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