2005 Mazda RX-8 User Reviews

Pros

Looks amazing - always gets noticed. Handling

Cons

poor gas milage

Purchased As New

I have never had a problem with my car starting! I have had this car since May 2005 and have pretty much loved it the whole time. I am not convenient to the dealership, so early on when we were working out minor problems, it was a pain to get it there and pick it up. I have no kind words for my dealership. Or their knowlege of this car!! I did develope a problem with the thermostat, but found a great import mechanic who fixed it - no problem. I absolutely LOVE the way this car handles and know whenever I get rid of it I will miss the way it takes corners and accelerates in 6th gear!!! At nearly 80,000 miles now, it is always a reliable car. And I am a woman who does minimal upkeep on a vehicle! Btw, my brothers tell me that 20mpg is not bad for a sports car (I just want better and have never had a muscle car!)...read morehide

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

ALL PRO

Cons

NO CON

I'VE NEVER OWNED A CAR THAT TURNED HEADS BEFORE.. UNTIL NOW!!
EVERYWHERE I GO PEOPLE ASK ME ABOUT MY CAR AND COMMENT ON HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS... I LOVE IT!!!

Pros

handling, especially on winding roads. automatic is great

Cons

rear seats not really very usable, except for children and cargo

I read alot about flooding. I have had a 2005 AT for one year and have 5000 miles on it, and it has never flooded, not even once. I am very carefull to "NEVER" shut the engine off unless it has fully warmed up. I can understand problems driving in snow, but I would never drive it in the snow anyhow. You need a 4 wheel drive truck or suv for snow and leave the RX-8 in the garage. I agree with the top speed and have had mine at 100 with out even trying, so recommend watching the digital speedometer to avoid tickets....read morehide

Pros

great looking

Cons

too low, engine floods, many problems for a new car

Please see Lori's review. I agree 100% This car is a lemon and Mazda isn't owning the defects. The car floods and isn't reliable. Warning--stay away from it. Has anyone out there had luck filing under the lemon law?

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, stance, delivered performance

Cons

fuel economy, side vision blocked, fuel economy,

I had my 2005 Mazda RX-8 automatic for about 2 weeks when I noticed that the mileage really stunk. About 13 mpg. I took car to the dealer and later on found out that the tranny had to be replaced. After reading other comments, I believe there are still bugs in the design waiting to be worked out. The cost of the cart is modest for the excitement you get, but the aggravation about the fuel economy and the mystery transmission hurts the sale. For people who complained about the back seat, didn't you sit in it before buying. Shame, shame !!!

By the way, the dealer made it right without question....read morehide

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