Picture Gallery: 2009 Mazda RX-8 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Discuss
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I returned my RX-8 after Mazda offered the buyback package because of the overrated horsepower fiasco. Originally, the RX-8 was advertised to have 245hp from what I remember, but it was later adjusted to 237hp; owners who purchased before the adjusted figures were released were given the option to return the vehicle for a full refund or to take a lifetime of free oil changes.
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Now the RX-8 is rated at even less horsepower — only 232hp with the 6-speed manual and 212hp with the automatic transmission. Just to be clear, even though the ratings have changed, the RX-8 still makes the same power as it did back in 2004. Standard measuring practices have changed the numbers but not the actual engine output.
It is somewhat disappointing that over the years Mazda hasn’t been able to squeak out a few more ponies. The RX-8 and Nissan 350z were both released at similar times; since then, Nissan has continually upgraded the 350Z’s power output, but the RX-8 has stagnated in this regard. But, the RX-8 is somewhat unique, as a four-door sports car with rearward swinging mini-doors for rear passengers and true four-seater space.
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Powered by Mazda’s Renesis rotary engine, this is the only conventional vehicle on sale today that doesn’t use a conventional reciprocating piston engine. This has created a few challenges for Mazda, including: emissions, fuel consumption and, probably the most difficult of all: consumer confidence about the product.
2009 Mazda RX-8 R3
MSRP as tested (including destination): $42,280
For more information on Mazda and the RX-8 visit Mazda Canada
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The Recaro seats in the R3 package are extremely well bolstered. At first they feel amazing; they are supportive and comfortable. For my body type, I find the bottom portion of the seat a little tight. Larger-bottomed folks may not fit or find the seats comfortable at all. Despite this, the torso portion of the seat is too wide and does not provide the same amount of support as the bottom.
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Another interesting aspect is the build quality on the inside — too good perhaps? As I entered the car today in the scorching heat, I grabbed the interior door handle, which is obviously made of metal — not plastic — and burnt my hand. The shift lever was also extremely hot. Lucky for us in Canada, this is a rare occurence and for the rest of the year, you can enjoy the quality feel of the RX-8’s interior.
Rear-seat ingress and egress is nearly as easy as that of a conventional four door sedan, with near 90-degree-opening doors. Of course, you need to have enough space beside the car or you end up in a trapped condition when entering or exiting. I find the rear seats comfortable and roomy, perhaps because I’m under six feet tall, but this makes the RX-8 a comfortable sedan, in my opinon.
The RX-8’s trunk is of a good size as well, although the opening is a little small and will make you think twice about buying large items from the big box store. Of course, you do have those large door openings if the box is of a tricky shape. Many compromises were made to package the RX-8 and the trunk size, although good, is missing a spare tire. Instead, the RX-8 comes with a bottle of insta-inflate if you so happen to find yourself with a flat tire.
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The Mazda RX-8 is one fun car to toss around corners and it handles and feels like a lighter car than it is as you dance it around. It sticks like glue around corners, but when it can’t stick anymore, it is one of the easiest vehicles to drive on the edge and keep under control.
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The RX-8’s Renesis rotary engine has to be one of the smoothest operating engines in a production car today. At idle, the shifter vibrates but none other can be felt. At a blazing 9,000rpm, the engine is just as smooth as it is at idle, only the sound and power output changes as the revs climb and the rotors spin around in smooth harmony.
Filled with four adults, the RX-8 feels a little sluggish when accelerating onto the highway, but it does let you flaunt your 9,000 rpm redline and shift reminder beep as you slowly creep up to your cruising speed. The six-speed manual transmission is a slick little box, similar to that in the Mazda MX-5 (Miata), although at 120km/h in 6th gear the engine is turning 4000rpm.
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That itself does attest to the design’s longevity. Four-and-a-bit-years later and the looks still turns heads. The Recaro seats in my tester look and feel fabulous as well, but after living with them for a week, they do have their downsides — most notably is the interference they cause with the seatbelt, causing it to twist and rub your shoulders.
Gas mileage has never been the RX-8’s strong point. I averaged 12.6L/100km over the week, which is not horrible, but not the greatest either considering I did do a lot of highway driving across town this week.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2009 Mazda RX-8 R3
MSRP as tested (including destination): $42,280
For more information on Mazda and the RX-8 visit Mazda Canada
September 09, 2008, 10:26:54 am
A quick search on Autotrader in the Toronto area shows 6 under $15K from 2004 most with about 75K on the Odometer.
Even a couple 05's under in the $15K area.
How are the RX-8's in the snow?
September 09, 2008, 10:38:33 am
I'm a cheap bastard - $5k is about where I'd be in at so I have a number of years to wait yet. That said that is a heck of a price. Still seem to be thousands more than that in Alberta.
Yah while looking for my latest car I noticed the same thing about Alberta the cars are easly $6K to 7K more expensive out West compared to Ontario / Quebec. Why?
Is it because you guys have so much money you don't know what to do with it?
source? the cheapest i've seen on craigslist are 04s at around $20,000. Not sure about mileage. US cars don't count.
http://www.usedottawa.com/classified-ad/6915035
http://www.usedottawa.com/classified-ad/6871566
http://www.usedottawa.com/classified-ad/5008420
http://www.usedottawa.com/classified-ad/6730728
Although I have to admit I was a bit off on the mileage. I don't know if these are U.S. cars or not.
September 09, 2008, 12:57:20 pm
Railton says they're OK with snows on them.
I experimented with the DSC on and off during the last bit of rain...makes a huge difference!
September 09, 2008, 01:53:53 pm squeeze the throttle DSC shouldn't interfere
September 09, 2008, 02:10:16 pm
Okay wow, you're really waiting for a long time. Even 1993 JDM RX-7s aren't that cheap. But maybe the RX-8 might depreciate a lot more than the RX-7.
Yah while looking for my latest car I noticed the same thing about Alberta the cars are easly $6K to 7K more expensive out West compared to Ontario / Quebec. Why?
Is it because you guys have so much money you don't know what to do with it?
Here you go:
http://www.usedottawa.com/classified-ad/6915035
http://www.usedottawa.com/classified-ad/6871566
http://www.usedottawa.com/classified-ad/5008420
http://www.usedottawa.com/classified-ad/6730728
Although I have to admit I was a bit off on the mileage. I don't know if these are U.S. cars or not.
wow those are good price! But mileage is quite up there except for one.... around 60k km. then you'd have to wonder why. I am that paranoid. They are Cdn. You can tell by those headlight washers and fancy orange side markers.
DSC on the RX-8 is great. It has a high threshold. Not like the strict nanny DSC found in Bimmers. They come on even when going up a driveway incline!
September 09, 2008, 02:15:17 pm Yeah you can even dump the clutch get some wheelspin before it cuts in .... so I heard...
September 09, 2008, 03:46:00 pm
wow those are good price! But mileage is quite up there except for one.... around 60k km. then you'd have to wonder why. I am that paranoid. They are Cdn. You can tell by those headlight washers and fancy orange side markers.
DSC on the RX-8 is great. It has a high threshold. Not like the strict nanny DSC found in Bimmers. They come on even when going up a driveway incline!
It could because they're out of warranty people are just off-loading them?
But honeslty for the price, $15,000 with 58,000km on it is a great price. And that's not even negotiated. I'm sure you can get $1K or $2K knocked off that price at this time of the season. And on top that these cars are in Ottawa which is a much smaller market compared to T.O.
September 09, 2008, 06:59:41 pm
I'll try it...after the break-in period of course...
September 14, 2008, 02:24:59 pm The displacement of the engine in the RX8 is 1.3 liter.
Not 2.6 as some have stated.
Each rotor is 0.65 of a liter .
September 15, 2008, 03:37:33 pm
Not 2.6 as some have stated.
Each rotor is 0.65 of a liter .
It's 'different' and I think it was listed as a 2.6 because of that at the international engine of the year awards some time back...
September 15, 2008, 04:52:19 pm
Not 2.6 as some have stated.
Each rotor is 0.65 of a liter .
It is 1.3 liters but because it develops power differently from a regular internal combustion engines, it is normally classified as equivalent to a 2.6 liter engine in motorsport competition.
September 15, 2008, 08:02:47 pm
Not 2.6 as some have stated.
Each rotor is 0.65 of a liter .
It is 1.3 liters but because it develops power differently from a regular internal combustion engines, it is normally classified as equivalent to a 2.6 liter engine in motorsport competition.
It is definitely 1.3, but insurance companies list it as 2.6 so they can gouge you for more!
September 15, 2008, 08:05:10 pm
It is definitely 1.3, but insurance companies list it as 2.6 so they can gouge you for more!
What??? Insurance companies gouging? No way!!!!
September 15, 2008, 09:24:36 pm
It is definitely 1.3, but insurance companies list it as 2.6 so they can gouge you for more!
What??? Insurance companies gouging? No way!!!!
Way dude!
September 17, 2008, 12:01:34 pm
October 05, 2008, 10:02:51 pm Бухгалтер.
Полное ведение бух-учета, сдача отчетности,
Восстановление первичной бух.документации,
Кадры, договоры,
Сверки с ИФНС,
Разблокировка счета
Не пропадаю, не подвожу!
Таня, tonya5557317@mail.ru
Москва, тел. 8-926-555-73-17
October 05, 2008, 10:50:59 pm Thanks Tonya
that clears things right up.
October 06, 2008, 02:06:31 am I think the poster has a RX-8 to sell.
October 14, 2008, 07:18:57 pm ROTARY-ians god bless 'em////
October 29, 2008, 09:06:25 pm
Since we've been talking about the RX-8 in the main forum.
Arthur, I've found your car not at the $5K you were looking at but getting close:
http://www.autocatch.com/uid/93039
2004 RX-8
$10,900
90,000 km
My finder fee, just let me drive your Lotus Seven.
November 03, 2008, 01:41:48 pm Wow - mighty impressive price. If I was in the market to actually make a move and buy and I'd all over something like that. Sadly I'm not. As for driving the Seven - that is a bit of an issue with it not being done at all. Once I get the brakes done (I've been avoiding this step) then we could take turns pushing it around the block.
November 03, 2008, 01:48:38 pm
Since we've been talking about the RX-8 in the main forum.
Arthur, I've found your car not at the $5K you were looking at but getting close:
http://www.autocatch.com/uid/93039
2004 RX-8
$10,900
90,000 km
My finder fee, just let me drive your Lotus Seven.
Transmission: AUTOMATIC
November 03, 2008, 05:34:01 pm
When you say push it around the block are you referring to power sliding or do you actually mean physically pushing it?!
I know, I know Automatic. Couldn't find a manual in that price / km range.
November 03, 2008, 06:08:17 pm physically pushing. I've got to plumb in the exhaust first before I fire the engine - I sure don't want to set fire to my sister inlaw's garage again. Its brakes aren't hooked up so stopped will require lots of planning and no hills. Apart from that its essentially done.
November 03, 2008, 11:00:06 pm