CTC Review: 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3

[LOVEISDEAD]

According to the October issue of Car and Driver, Mazda are in the process of crushing all of 4703 cars that were inside that seagoing car carrier that tipped onto its side in 2006. Included were the 214 RX-8's that had no visible damages. One of the pages had a picture of "one RX-8 on top of another, and the lower car's windows don't even shudder." Too bad they had to recycle these cars with excellent chassis and the amount of engineering that went into it.

I have respect for Mazda now since they clearly showed that they look after every one of their products and for the future safety of their cars.

[Giant Dwarf]

I agree RedRoadster... hitting redline in the MX5 at least once a day is a hoot without causing the car to be impounded before getting into second gear.  Almost any road can become fun when these cars are like puppies who live to play.  The RX8 takes it the next step -- a bit quicker and revving that rotary out to 9k produces an incredible soundtrack.  As for that backseat?  It's big enough to accommodate a baby seat (just ask Railton here) -- I sure as hell can't do that with the MX5.

I do agree with Demo though -- putting Mazda's great turbo 4 cyl in that car would have helped sell a bunch more, I'd bet -- certainly would've sold me! 

Some quirks and compromises are fine in sports cars... but that kind of dismal fuel economy without a tradeoff of wonderful torque or horsepower means it's a no-go for me. 

[bibs]

The RX is an awesome car. I thought long and hard about it, but went with my 2006 MX-5. I really wanted a soft top. The RX-8 is a great value, fun to drive and practical.

Those who harp about horsepower miss the point. Many car shows and magazines have tested the RX against M3s, 350Zs, Mustangs, etc. Around a track, the RX-8 is in the thick of things. It's not about horsepower, it's about a balanced, swift handling machine. Ask the guy driving the Z28 SS at Shannonville: he couldn't catch me, with my lowly 166 HP.

Fuel consumption was one of my concerns, but if you aren't a road warrior, annual costs aren't much more than a standard car, and are in line with other performance cars.

[Jameel]

Mazda should have at least turbocharged the RX8.

The RX is an awesome car. I thought long and hard about it, but went with my 2006 MX-5. I really wanted a soft top. The RX-8 is a great value, fun to drive and practical.

Those who harp about horsepower miss the point. Many car shows and magazines have tested the RX against M3s, 350Zs, Mustangs, etc. Around a track, the RX-8 is in the thick of things. It's not about horsepower, it's about a balanced, swift handling machine. Ask the guy driving the Z28 SS at Shannonville: he couldn't catch me, with my lowly 166 HP.

Fuel consumption was one of my concerns, but if you aren't a road warrior, annual costs aren't much more than a standard car, and are in line with other performance cars.

That's because Z28s are only made to go fast in a straightline.  

[Blueprint]

In any case, there are tons of RX-8s on the roads around Montreal.  The 350Z is a flop when you compare it the same way.  Wonder if sale figures back this up, or if it's just a local market thing.

Methink the 4-door, 4-seater approach paid off nicely.

[TopGun]

...It's a lot more fun driving a slow car fast than it is driving a fast car slow.

Once I got past all of the marketing hype that is generated to have people buy the "next one"...I arrived at your conclusion.

The experience of the drive matters more to me than the ultimate performance.

[Oz]

 

After 5 years, just a small refresh on  what you're touting as your 'new' model... For a brand flagship that just doesnt cut it. I woulntd want to pay for one when there are better alternatives at the mid 40s mark. And, when new 07s can be had for 14k less... why bother.

As a previous Mazda owner, I can say I was quite disappointed by their choice.

[Jameel]

After 5 years, just a small refresh on  what you're touting as your 'new' model... For a brand flagship that just doesnt cut it. I woulntd want to pay for one when there are better alternatives at the mid 40s mark. And, when new 07s can be had for 14k less... why bother.

As a previous Mazda owner, I can say I was quite disappointed by their choice.

Why bother with even a new one, get one that's a few years old for about $15K to 19K. These cars really didn't hold their value.

[kymics]

Just look at some of the victims of the past: Fiero, MR2/MR2 Spyder, Thunderbird and most recently the Solstice/Sky are being axed.

If this was true the MX5 miata would be a flop to with its two seats.

The MX-5 probably should have been a flop but I think because they got it all right from the very start, alongside positive reviews year over year, and good word of mouth it has become an icon which helps prop it up as a viable vehicle.

Now at the brink of a huge fuel crisis, the MX-5 still makes sense - lucky Mazda.

[Careener]

Ok... So now I want an RX8..but that would take money out of the Corvette fund... :-(

[rrocket]

I thought I wanted on before too...until I drove one...The lack of power..specifically TQ is killer.

While this is less of a big deal at a race track (when you almost always have the engine on the boil), it's an issue for me on the street....

[ghost]

1st place (S2k vs rx8 vs350z): http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupe/112_0403_compact_sport_coupe_comparison/index.html

1st place (a bunch of sports cars): http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/sports_car_central/2007_ford_mustang_shelby_gt_vs_2007_mazda_rx_8_2007_nissan_350z_2008_audi_tt_2_0t_comparison_test


4th below R8, GT-R, and M3: http://www.motortrend.com/features/performance/112_0810_americas_best_handling_car_conclusion/index.html

A 335i driver's experience with the rx-8 (interesting read)
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45738&page=1

And Jeremy Clarkson hails it one of its all time favourite car along with the M6, Z06 and an Aston timesonline.co.uk

some posts here are incredible....

I found this recently so I cut and paste being the lazy person that I am. linky fix. thanks rrocket!

[rrocket]

None of your links are working for me.....


Sorry...I don't thunk it's a bad car....just not enough torque for me.  I also love the S2000....but it suffers the same thing...I'm a torque whore....(grew up driving V8s)

[Mattesa]

I bailed out and bought an S2k

As a Mazda fan, I have always wished that Mazda would produce a version of the RX8 to compete directly with the likes of the S2000.  Perhaps a Mazdaspeed RX8 with 250hp, 2 seats, stiffer suspension, at 2800lbs.   Oh baby yeah... that would be sweet.

So I'm a bit disappointed at the R3.  It could have been so much more.  It could have been a true 350Z/S2000 hunter!

Pro-Driver Pobsts ranks it...

Doesn't Randy Pobsts (quick Google) ... yes, he races the Tri-point Mazda6 in the SPEED World Challenge series.    Maybe a bit of a bias there.

[TopGun]

Doesn't Randy Pobsts (quick Google) ... yes, he races the Tri-point Mazda6 in the SPEED World Challenge series.    Maybe a bit of a bias there.

Randy has raced Audis, BMWs, Hondas...and lots of Porsches...so while possible...I don't think there's enough evidence to support it.

After 5 years, just a small refresh on  what you're touting as your 'new' model...
As a previous Mazda owner, I can say I was quite disappointed by their choice.

Hmm...seems to work OK for some car referred to as a 911.  What does being an owner of a Mazda6 have to do with the RX-8?  About as much as an Aveo owner with the Z06.

PS...check out the show and shine tomorrow...

[rrocket]

But he's racing Mazdas NOW..isn't he??   

[TopGun]

But he's racing Mazdas NOW..isn't he??   

Yup...he moved up from Supra Turbos...

[rrocket]

But he's racing Mazdas NOW..isn't he??   

Yup...he moved up from Supra Turbos...

'Cause the power, speed, braking and handling scared him enough to soil his Pampers.  (Stop being a hater).   

[Careener]

None of your links are working for me.....


Sorry...I don't thunk it's a bad car....just not enough torque for me.  I also love the S2000....but it suffers the same thing...I'm a torque whore....(grew up driving V8s)

I'll have to drive one to see how "bad" the lack of torque is.

[Oz]

After 5 years, just a small refresh on  what you're touting as your 'new' model...
As a previous Mazda owner, I can say I was quite disappointed by their choice.

Hmm...seems to work OK for some car referred to as a 911.  What does being an owner of a Mazda6 have to do with the RX-8?  About as much as an Aveo owner with the Z06.

PS...check out the show and shine tomorrow...

Because I drove a lot of RX8s when I had the 6, and through the four years of the lease hoped that Mazda would pull out a suitable replacement for the RX8 so I could have it as my next car. They didnt and I chose a different route. Hence my disappointment.