2005 Mazda RX-8 6-Speed

Pros

Hot looking car that will not age through time. Awesome to drive! Can create your own look

Cons

torque is lower than most cars in it's class. Trouble starting (if not taken care of right)

Purchased As New

Overall, Great car! Sexy appearance, awesome performance (considering the engine and it's kind), and extremely fun to drive. 6 gears with a redline of 9 RPM in a unique 4 dr sports car..... What's not to like? I have had my car as new since June 2005 and never ran into one single problem until late 2007, with about 60,000 miles. The issue was that it would not start. I was able to determine that it was because the engine had flooded! It was started at a shipyard and then driven onto a ship (in the military, shipping to next duty station) and had only been running long enough to get it to where it was parked and then cut off. It arrived at it's destination in Europe and then started and ran long enough to get it off the ship and parked for transport. This was able to happen one more time before it decided to not start anymore. When the car arrived to me for pick up, it would not start.. The rotary engine takes in a lot of fuel when initially started and if not warmed up and/ or driven for some period of time, will leave unspent fuel in your engine, causing it to flood and not start the next time you give it a go. This is not a NORMAL cylinder/ piston engine, where you can just start and go. Would be nice, but it isn't. So unfortunately, especially with the 2004 models going into 2005, anyone owning or driving an RX8 in these years has more than likely experienced these problems. You have to know the car you're driving and the engine that operates within it to keep this car going and to fully appreciate it. If you're just basing your buy off of looks, do stay away, as you will find your satisfaction falling short due to engine problems. If you absolutely love the car and are willing to go the extra mile to keep this beautiful car and it's unique engine running for you, than this is an EXCELLENT buy! Aside from the engine flooding issue, the only other issue (that you really cannot avoid) is that it will run you through oil "almost" as fast as a few tanks of gas. Again, another thing you will have to be willing to deal with if you want to drive this car. I haven't dealt with too much in the very begining, but have been dealing with a whole lot more (warming the engine up, oil changes, etc.) since my first issue, and it's nothing I haven't been able to remedy my self and it is worth every second of my time to keep this car on the road! I will warn you as an interested buyer to be careful with a USED RX8, because chances are, it has had it's share of problems and it's previous owner got sick of it and got rid of it. More than likely, it was not cared for by them or the Dealer to keep it up to par and it's problems have probably become more serious and avoided. You don't want to inherit that, no one does! Buy new, care for and maintain it, and let your engine warm up (even for a few mins. until the engine is warm and the extra fuel is burned out) and it will run forever. This car is reliable, if you know how to care for it. If you and/ or your dealer/ mechanic do not know how to care for it, it will just continue to give you problems until you ultimately quit on the car, as it will have disappointed you and become an inconvenience. The only disappointment here is the care and maintenance it needs but does not get. It is not the owners fault by no means, as most owners are unaware of these things. I do believe that if a buyer wants to invest their time and money into this car that Mazda should have some Exceptional Warranty and mechanics that know and are familiar with the rotary engine to assist with any possible issues that arise, as it is not a normal everyday engine. Customers should also be given some extra knowledge on the car's need prior to selling instead of just trying to sell that "hot sports car" to any person attracted to it. If you love the car and are willing to go through the care process in order to enjoy driving this machine, then it is worth your $$. Otherwise, you're looking in the wrong direction....read morehide

Pros

It looks really good...

Cons

Brakes make alot of noise, engine makes alot of noise, breaks down alot

This is the worst buy ever!!!! I bought this car because it looked nice..stupid... I had trouble within the first 3 months. Compleatly stoped on the freeway and wouldnt start back up. I take it to the dealership at least once a month, and they always give me the run-around. Im selling it because i only have it for another 3,000 miles and then it goes out of warranty and i can't afford to pay MAZDA every month for repairs.The car also makes the weirdest noise even after the car is off. And shakes alot if you dont wait the 5 min., which the dealership didnt even tell me about i had to hear it from YAHOO. I will never buy a MAZDA again......read morehide

Pros

Eye catching, great cornering and more than adequate acceleration

Cons

Somewhat limited rear visibility, driver's side ventillation not as strong as passenger side

A fun and affordable ride. You don't see many around and that's what makes it all the more special.

Pros

Great Looks, Rotary engine, blast to drive

Cons

Nothing yet

This is an awesome car! I have been looking/test driving this car for the last year and a half and finally bought it. All I can say is I LOVE THIS CAR! Comfortable, Great Looking, and the rotary engine is a blast. And to top it off I got a great deal on it. Life is GOOD!!

Pros

Nice look, comfortable, turns heads

Cons

Numerous times, the car won't even start. Brakes squeak. Re-calls

I would first like to say, the RX-8 I was driving was a 2004. This is the 4th or 5th time I've gone to use the car and the battery was dead. Dealer replaced battery twice, but to no avail. The car was towed to dealership (again) and that is where I've left it. I now have to contact Mazda directly, but I have washed my hands of the car. The tow truck driver said he's had several of the same calls...and one owner did turn around and sell his 2004 RX-8. There have been four re-calls on the 2004. Seems I've spent more time in the service waiting room than driving the car. I think I had a LEMON....read morehide

Pros

Wild power curve, Takes turns like it's on rails,Looks like no other,ZOOM-ZOOM

Cons

Low gas milage, Thin sheet metal, Flooding issues

I've had my RX-8 for about two years. It is black with black cloth interior, and a six speed that tets me feel like im connected to the car with every shift at any speed. I like to drive hard and this car seems to like it that way as well. it takes turns like no other car i have ever driven. The power curve is somthing so different that it can catch you by suprise, as you get up to 7500 or 8000 rpm it feels like an elastik band just fired you up the road. and the most impressive thing is theat the RX-8 does this with an engine not much larger than the average motercycle has just 1.3 liter... even the insurance company gives you a break because the engine is so small (85cu"), they dont even consider this car a high risk.they should only know ha ha.

Things to know if your considering this car.

The rotery engine does use abuut one quort of oil for every two thousand miles if you drive hard, less if you go easy. This car has a redline of 9000 RPM (actual fuel shut-off at 10,000 RPM) if all it wants is a little oil thats ok by me. And the engine does need to be warmed up to normal operating temperature every time you start it up or it may flood, dont just back it out of the garage and turn it off or you may be flat-bedding it to the nearest dealer to replace the spark plugs when it floods ... I found this out the hard way.

The RX-8 is a fun car to drive and i cant wait for next spring to take it out of the garage again. ZOOM-ZOOM...read morehide

Pros

Traction Control, Engine, style

Cons

Fuel Economy. 14 L/100km Avg

Whats there not to like?! Car corners like its on rails! and the acelleration and Engine noise are outstanding.

Winter Driving with the GT model is surprisingly good. Get Winter tires and the TCS keeps you going straight no matter what the Canadian Winter throws at you.

First car that I ever just "go for a drive" with....read morehide

Pros

great styling, head turner quick on high end speed

Cons

difficult getting into reverse w/ manual trans. gas guzzler, no torque

too many recalls been in shop too many times. engine floods easy. Mazda need to work out all the bugs. will consider trading in for something more reliable.

Pros

Good handling, Sleek looking, women getter

Cons

Weak engine unless modified, bad gas mileage, unreliable

Mazda made a good move on the body, but lagged on the performance. I love to drive this car, the renesis engine sounds powerful in the seat, but It sucks on the road. One day after purchasing, the tire sensor came on and stayed on. The Mazda dealership spent three weeks trying to fix it, finally they just replaced the tires. Two months later radio went out, another week to fix. Six months later my fuel pump went out, another four weeks to fix. Im not sure if anyone else had problems, but this car is unreliable on the road....read morehide

Perfect powerfull car. Perfect design, inside and outside. Can not be compare with any other car within category.