Automotive Forums

Exterior Impressions
When the RX8 first came out I thought the design was unique but didn't really like the styling. I also liked the euro lights at first but after I saw them on every single car from coupes to suv's to trucks, I got really sick of them and am still sick of them so a thumbs down on those. But the body design of the RX8 grew on me and I like the contours and styling cues. It's stylish without over doing it.

Interior Impressions
I'm 5'11" 220lbs. It fit me snuggly, a lil more head room would be good but I tend to sit straight up not slouched, otherwise seats were supportive and comfortable everything felt comfortable. I liked the circular center console. 1 touch slide back moonroof nice, would have prefereed 1 touch close as well. The interior finish is not cheap looking, and not luxury, somwhere in the middle. The driver's gauges were large and easy to read with white lighting which I liked, I didn't like the red on the center console though. The speedometer is digital which is cool but I could see how it could get you some tickets. The stereo was avg, not much bass and sound quality was just ok.  Oh yea the one major gripe, is the one major gripe I have on my 99 honda prelude:  cup holders are in the center behind the shifter.....meaning if you drive a manual you have to adjust your arm to shift around the drink and straw, gets pretty annoying.  

Driving Impressions
Very Nice. There is a good amt of power anywhere in the powerband, and stick with you all the way up to 8k rpm. The handling felt very well balanced, the ride quality wasn't too soft or too harsh. The engine response was great. The vibrating of the idle shift knob bothered me a bit but otherwise shifting was pretty effortless with firm slotting. Clutch uptake was smooth, and downshifting wasn't jerky either. I really liked how this car drove, especially because it seemed like the powerband was distrubuted through the whole rpm range. Having never driven a rotary engine before I must say I like them a lot. I'm not sure how much maintenance or wear and tear these kind of cars can take but they are defintely fun to drive.

Good stuff!  

I was VERY impressed with this car.. I think everything about it is spot on except for 2 things. Unfortunately one of those things is the exterior design, and that is a pretty big thing.

Why cant all companies make really great cars realy great looking, the RX8 is real close but loses me on the front fenders and overall square design. The funny thing is Mazda's fastest and best performing car they make is probably the least contoured. What does Ferrari know that no one else does? how hard can it be?

Other than the exterior and the circle for a stereo with polished black nothing space the car was a joy. It had great handling with very little body flex considering the entire middle of the car sides open. Good power and fun fun fun.

If only it looked better :-S
 

I agree, fun is the best way to describe the car, great looking is not.  You really feel how small the interior is when inside, I wouldn't want to sit in the backseat as I had to recline the front just to sit comfortably.  One thing that jumped out at me is the stereo, it would be a disaster to try and add an aftermarket face to this car, the controls and display are split up all over the center stack.  All in all, I'm not sure I would want to drive one on a daily basis, but definetely a nice change from my 98 Maxima.  

mike- that 99 maxima is one sexy car tho - i wouldnt trade it for all the mazdas in irvine  

I, in a word, disagree.

But some things are better said in 2,554 words.
 

Not like me but I have to jump into this one, speaking here as a owner of the 2005 Mazda RX8 which now have had about a year with 17,000 miles on it. Big take on it so far.. problems problems problems.  I have had it in aproximately 5 times on the start problems. One day just died in the garage would not start period. Since then has been in several times with mazda replaceing everything known to man associated with it. still does not start properly. I have bad rattles in the sunroof they can't find or can't hear. The console switch is cheap and been replaced once now take 3 people to open it.  Not so sure this lemon should even be on the market, seen tons of probs with the ignition. Other then that it MOVES, and is FUN to drive.. just hope it stays in one piece.. thinking Mazda needs to buy it back from me.. honestly been a piece of *** />  

I like the Mazda RX8, too. I think its stylish and neat.

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