Mazda's Biggest Mistake? The Fatally Flawed RX-8 Driven and Reviewed (JDM Legends Tour Pt. 35)

[@Terry67ism]

Just let go of my 2004 RX8. I’ve got to say it broke my heart. Every day for 16 years, I have always been eager to drive it. At 80,000 miles Mazda replaced the engine on there dime. As I let it go, the second engine had 106,000 miles on it. The body looked great, no rust. But at my age (70) it was time to get something a little more practical. But I will never regret buying my RX8. I just regret I had to let it go.

[@dionvandenberg]

That is just wonderful. 16 years and 180k miles is a great run for such a car. I wonder how many exotic engines can do 100k miles without a (partial) rebuild.

[@davekennedy6315]

@@dionvandenberg it's not an exotic engine though? In theory it has far, far less parts and should really be more reliable and last longer than a normal 4 pot. Alas, that's not the case and rotaries need rebuilds after half the miles of a 4 pot. So many have been written off by insurance companies due to expensive rebuild costs. They are also small capacities with no torque yet drink fuel like a 6+litre V8. And then there's the oil consumption. I have always really liked the looks and practicality of the RX8 it's such a shame they didn't just fit a 4 pot turbo. If they had there would be tens of thousands more on the roads.

[@dionvandenberg]

@@davekennedy6315 maybe if every car maker and their mother had been developing rotary engines forever and ever, we would now have something less thirsty and less apex seal-devouring. That's what I meant with exotic: there's just not enough rotary-engined cars around. You bring up a compelling case though: if it had a four pot turbo or a V6 (and maybe would be available as a convertible) my current mx5 weekend car would have to go. In an instant. But then again, they'd probably be priced way higher as well.

[@rc28ify]

@@dionvandenberg thats laughable is 300 is 19 years old and still going strong with no rebuild

[@ratlips4363]

Yes, I too let my 2004 RX-8 go. I loved that car and what it could do even when stock...

[@tassiecoinsandbullion6957]

I have daily driven an rx8 for almost 7 years. I’ve always kept an eye on the oil and given a daily redline. No engine rebuild 180000km, compression is still fine. Completely stock apart from a cat and exhaust upgrade. Starts and drives flawlessly, only thing I’ve replaced was a slipping clutch plate. This was probably from 4 years of city driving with lots of hill starts. Very fun car, surprisingly practical if you take the spare tyre out the only downside is that it does 22L/100km in the city.

[@willlong4258]

How? My worst fuel economy is 14.4L/100

[@pe-peron8441]

Do you do anything special with it to keep it running so well (apart from not revving it up when cold or switching it off when cold), such as hitting the throttle in neutral before switching it off, so as to prevent carbon build-up? I ask because there are a lot of different opinions about all these supposed tricks, and I'd like to get an opinion from someone who apparently got it right

[@Martin4z]

22? Seems there's a problem you need to fix or it's just time for a rebuild

[@championxxlNL]

22? A V8 escalade looks economical compared to that lmao

[@timakimat]

Probably one of the most misunderstood cars ever

[@deadprivacy]

@@dizzy2020 a "rebuild" on an rx8 motor is more like a engine replacement, you are usually able to save maybe 1 rotor... They really are junk, the housing castings are incredibly bad quality. The oiling problems are terrible, the two oil jets in everything but the r3 dont oil the cylinders properly, theyve all been run on 5w 30 oil at some point too which wrecks em. They were built to be driven fast and if you do? The engine will eat itself. Its not just apex seals but corner seals and rotor face seals that... Well, they dont seal. The chassis is good and they are a prime candidate for an engine swap.

[@ixifutureproof9286]

I owned a PZ for about 6 years and never needed the apex seals changing. *Drinks oil is a myth!* ...when compared to similar high performance cars of is time. The M3 uses more oil in less time and swills the debris around the engine. The RX8 _burns_ oil as part of the combustion process so if you keep it topped up you'll keep the apex seals in great condition and maintain your compression values. The same should be said for *any* performance car that you own. Look after it and it'll look after you. Look after the body it won't get rusty, look after the engine and you won't need to "replace" it... Which is another myth! The seals are all you need to replace but you have to strip the engine to do it. Mazda intended it to be a major service item for the engine, not a "it's broken, my engines dead" whine-fest. Company car owners ragged them without understanding the fuel burning process and as such gave the RX8 it's bad name. Then the government taxed it to high heaven stating that the sweep was 2.6 and the emissions are too high. All of my miles were trouble free. It corners like it's on rails, better than an MX-5 and it's perfectly stable at the back. In fact it doesn't drift as a result. It will slip on overthrottle but then grip again. Making it very predictable. I miss mine so much. The whine of its engine is fantastic and it's a pure drivers car. Some Aussie tourists drove into mine writing it off but I respect everyone who drives past me in one, because they know what I know. Anyone thinking of buying one should remember to get it up to temp before you drive off anywhere and let it settle before you turn it off (same as all performance cars if you want to look after them properly). And if it's only to the shop round the corner... Walk.

[@verttisyrjala2897]

@@deadprivacy If you're stupid enough not to premix your fuel you deserve to have your engine seized.

[@deadprivacy]

@@verttisyrjala2897 thats the problem, noone did and now theyre all fucked! The twin oil injection versions will eat emselves without the premix trick fast as you like and the castings are nowhere near the quality of the rx7.

[@tolga1cool]

The RX8 feels like a car where even Mazda didn't really understand what they wanted to build either tbh

[@paulgmarriott]

Had one from new for 9 years; apart from a handful of the customary cold-morning start issues, trouble-free. Absolutely loved it! Will always remember Clarkson eulogising as he was test driving one: "God it's smooth. It doesn't feel like it's running on anything as coarse and vulgar as petrol. Feels like it's running on double cream".

[@gonzomuse]

Really nice to watch a balanced, fair and honest review of the eight. Us owners know they drink oil (although nowhere near as much as some would have you believe) and that they use a lot of petrol (that IS as bad as you've heard!), but the driving experience is totally worth these inconveniences.

[@marksaxby607]

Spot on!

[@jamesroberts5895]

I don't like to read that they 'drink' oil. They ALWAYS use oil by design (not that much either in the scheme of things), not because the engine is knackered as would be the case with a piston engine. Agree regards petrol consumption - no way to get decent economy, so you might as well not try and enjoy it more!

[@stevengravett4461]

Tbh I've had my car about 7 months and have only had to top up oil twice. Not as bad as people think

[@paulrobinson3528]

My best memory of an RX8 was one i attended at the Holiday inn at j15 Warwick. It just about started but was running really badly. After having a poke around, as you do, i found that it had 2 faulty ignition coils. I replaced them and asked him to take it for a drive whilst i put all my tools away etc. All i could hear was the guy ragging it from j15 to j14 and back a few times. when he came back, he had the biggest smile on his face and said "it's never gone that well ever, it's so fast". I reckon it had a ignition coil down for ages, maybe before he purchased it, and the 2nd one just made it undriveable. He was one happy chappy!!

[@paulrobinson3528]

@Maimo Moline A smile a day keeps the doctor a way

[@ironduke6100]

Faulty ignition coils on the Renesis can cause the poorly-burnt fuel to clog up the catalytic converter. You may want a quick look at that at some point; rotaries run so hot that a clogged cat can actually start a pretty nasty car fire, or just cause the engine to kill itself.

[@paulrobinson3528]

@@ironduke6100 This was 7-8 years ago, be surprised if it' still on the road.

[@throwback19841]

Mazda and their ignition coils... ripped them out of my mx-5 in favour of some denso units.

[@elturner7241]

I'm not a mechanic, so when I had 2 of my ignition coils go out I thought my RX8 was on it's last leg. I got on the internet and did my research to find out what the problem could be and how to fix it. I found the parts and changed the ignition coils myself since the mechanics in my area were totallly useless. My RX8 has been brilliant to drive ever since. I later found that Mazda cut corners and used cheap ignition coils. I advise RX8 owners to upgrade them.

[@essexrotary1540]

Thanks for the mention guys, glad you where not too harsh about the review

[@Jakdaw]

Best feature of my RX8 was that if you got it on a good road and drove it like you stole it, it'd return 18 MPG. If you drove it like your granny you might *just* eek out 18.5 MPG! Warm up and short journeys killed it; but actually *under-load* it's an extremely efficient engine. Just a shame most driving isn't like that!

[@louisvidalinc2678]

I know someone in Dublin who Renesis swapped his NC MX-5, I'm sure he'd happily lend it to you for a review !

[@JayEmmOnCars]

That would be awesome! Get him to email me on [e-mail]

[@JamesDownes]

@bodge rides garage there rx-hate down here in Limerick also would be a wild review 🤣

[@louisvidalinc2678]

@@JamesDownes that car is not driveable though, let alone on the streets! There's your man with the F20c RX7 though in Dublin as well

[@gavinearls2935]

I believe that mx-5 is currently for sale on fb marketplace for 20k, has a rocket bunny kit also

[@louisvidalinc2678]

@@gavinearls2935 No that's a NA MX5 with an older ported 13b and he'll take 12k for it 😉

[@DjDolHaus86]

In my experience RX8s come in 3 flavours: Good mechanical condition but overpriced Reasonably priced but waiting to explode A pretty body shell for peanuts because engine swaps are a pain in the arse

[@pgtmr2713]

KLZE v6 swap or KJ v6 if you still want weird Miller cycle. Not bolt in. There's at least one KL swap out there. Lightweight aluminum, forged crank, good for 7500 rpm

[@DjDolHaus86]

@@pgtmr2713 I believe there is a kit being worked on to make Honda K series swaps possible which I suspect will see a dramatic rise in the value of those engine-less body shells.

[@mrjohnnyk]

I just got myself an old Miata and called it a day.

[@DjDolHaus86]

@@mrjohnnyk my thoughts exactly

[@keklol6968]

There already exists a conversion kit to use the rx8 gearbox with the k20 engine, so hopefully a full kit wil be available soon, It'd probably convince me to get one tbh.

[@breadstacka]

My first car and i still have it 4 years later no problems. Honestly an amazing car if you know how to look after it

[@vee588]

As someone else who just bought one as their first car last summer thats really inspiring!

[@GTFour]

Epic first car! :o

[@PatrickTCAPIreland]

Jaysus the insurance must have been mad

[@marksaxby607]

Good review, but I disagree about the rear seats. I'm 5'10" and have travelled decent distances in the back of my RX8. Agree it would be a great engine in an MX5, but not instead of the RX8. I had mine for years (yes it had an engine rebuild, at 76K), but I still miss it enormously. Such a great car to drive, all the time...

[@Element_y]

Agreed. I would take people with me in mine all the time, and they would often be shocked at how comfortable they were once they got into the back seats.

[@mrjohnnyk]

I've been in worse back seats that's for sure, but I wouldn't call it comfortable.

[@paulschofield985]

I’am 6’ 2” and fit in the back of mine no problem, personally couldn’t say what it’s like to be in there for a while as I was only in there for a minute to test out the leg room when I first bought it.. I’ve had people in the back on long journeys & they haven’t complained but the were average height people around 5’ something..

[@Jakdaw]

Completely agree - as someone whose 6' tall I cannot sit in the back of, say, an IS-F as my head is hitting the ceiling (despite it being a "proper" four door). But a long journey in the back of the '8.... no problem. Visibility from the back is akin to a window seat on an airplane, but other than that....

[@dougcook5167]

My RX-8 has plenty of room in the back - both 6'2"" friends and 300+ lb. relatives say it's plenty comfortable for short drives, only leg room makes it harder for long trips.

[@jamiedewberry6702]

I pre-ordered mine when they first came out in 03, funnest car I have ever owned. I wish I still had it but I did not have the money for an engine swap and at 140k miles I really needed a new engine. If I had space for a project car and money to spend I will still own it today. I keep hoping Mazda will do one more RX series.

[@alextmss]

I’m that person who did get the £7k R3, and I couldn’t be happier. 4 years of ownership, no issues and honestly even if it goes boom one day at least street or bridge porting will be good fun ;) (if a bit expensive) p.s Essex Rotary is great, my car’s looked after by them.

[@Element_y]

I owned one of these back in 09/10 out in the United States. Even drove it cross-country, didn't skip a beat. Still one of my favorite cars I've ever owned. I was one of the lucky ones; I drove it from 50k-80k miles without a single issue. The trick is though, you need to drive it hard. If you drive it like a nanny to the grocery market, you're going to have problems. I red-lined it EVERY. SINGLE. TIME I drove it, and I think unwittingly that was the secret to its longevity.

[@paulschofield985]

Bang on the money.. Warm it up.. Drive it like you stole it 😂😂.

[@Redshift42]

Going on 17 years with my RX8 at this point. (Ordered Jan 2003, delivery in July 2003) First batch of cars that came to Canada. Still love it. As an aside, part of the reason you probably love the gearbox so much is it is the same Aisin gearbox as the S2000 *Edit: Also, I've been to the rotary rally 3 time and expecting to go again this year.

[@MrCarGuy]

Original engine?

[@Redshift42]

@@MrCarGuy Absolutely. Had healthy compression on all faces last I tested it. I have a 3 rotor sitting in my garage for an eventual project with it.

[@MrCarGuy]

@@Redshift42 You have either used premix, done seals, or the car hasn't been driven as much as an average RX-8. I love the cars and would love to put a 20b in one.

[@Redshift42]

@@MrCarGuy I'm a Rotary guy (also have 4 FCs) so I've maintained the car diligently and yes, premixed. I also have used it. 2 trips to Deals Gap (2700km drive each direction). Had it at a 2 day Autocross regional championship when it was 8 days old. Used to do lapping days with it. Had it to Mt Tremblant, Lime Rock, Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta. My home track is in Halifax.

[@MrCarGuy]

@@Redshift42 Nice. My home track is Road Atlanta. It's fun.

[@mrjackbilbo]

Ive had one for 4 years,. It gives me a smile everytime,. When rx8 drivers meet each other on the road its always a great feeling

[@paulrobinson3528]

I love attending these for non starts, nearly always flooded with fuel. Usually caused by the owner moving the car a few feet and turning it off and/or the battery is getting weak. The smoke out the back on start up is superb lol

[@gaffnaldo1]

The smoke show is a joy to behold 👌

[@paulrobinson3528]

@@gaffnaldo1 And i forgot to say about the popping and banging until it all clears. My best memory of one of these was one i attended at the Holiday inn at j15 Warwick. It just about started but was running really badly. After having a poke around, as you do, i found that it had 2 faulty ignition coils. I replaced them and asked him to take it for a drive whilst i put all my tools away etc. All i could hear was the guy ragging it from j15 to j14 and back a few times. when he came back, he had the biggest smile on his face and said "it's never gone that well ever, it's so fast". I reckon it had a ignition coil down for ages, maybe before he purchased it, and the 2nd one just made it undriveable. He was one happy chappy!!

[@Robert-cu9bm]

Literally had that problem on the weekend, lent mine to a friend for a couple weeks on the last day she moved it to different car parking spot and flooded it. Took 4 new spark plugs and a much bigger battery to get it started. They should off fitted a bigger battery from the factory.

[@paulrobinson3528]

@@Robert-cu9bm I put jump leads on with the other car running and pull the fuel pump fuse out, crank it with foot to the floor to clear the petrol out. Refit fuse and turn over with a very small amount of throttle. Works every time for me. Never hurts to have a new set of plugs. Just remember the top plugs are different to the bottom one's lol.

[@Robert-cu9bm]

@@paulrobinson3528 No need to take any fuses out. Putting your foot flat to the floor cuts the fuel when starting. Unless you have a heavy duty set of jumper leads, you can't get the amps through to turn the car over fast enough.

[@scoobydooz6575]

Having owned one, its an awesome B road basher and track day fun car, excellent well balanced chassis, nice exhaust note with the right aftermarket system, Nothing on this planet sounds like the rotary engine and it promotes the biggest smile you could have, its only let down is MPG, I was returning below 20's average driving and down into single figures on track days or driven enthusiasticly for example around the evo triangle, However Every petrol head should experience the RX8 purely for the experience and that smile that lasts even after you get out

[@keithjackson4985]

Agree with you totally. I wish Mazda would crowd fund research into making the rotary a better engine. I would donate immediately.

[@inquisitor101btcneo6]

Very well said! I am a proud owner of a 40th anniversary RX8 in Australia, completely rust free and mint and i love it. She does need plenty of tlc but that smile when driving makes it all worth while. Great review!

[@johnkobach6025]

I own a Gen 2 2010 R3 with 105k miles. The car has been flawless and not one issue. Proper maintenance is key, and oil top offs are important. I've done basic maintenance such as brakes, oil, filters, coils, and plugs. Most reliable car I have owned, hands down, and still running strong at 105k+ miles. The driving experience puts a smile on the face! I live in Denver and it is driven year round. No rust.

[@AliTaylor777]

I still miss both of mine. Had a standard 231 and followed that with a PZ. Both were super reliable and ridiculous fun. What gave them the reputation was all those company drivers not reading the manual and failing to either check the oil or do the proper cold start/stop technique. That led to lots of failing catalysts, flooded engines and worn seals.

[@Davidismynameo]

I've owned a PZ RX8 exactly like this for a few years, it's such a joy to drive but absolutely no use as a daily so I only drive it on occasion. Every few months I think about swapping it for something both fun and sensible, but watching this video reminds me of exactly why I love it so much and I immediately change my mind! Can't sell this thing, it's way too exciting... When it works!

[@Brickinasock]

8:27 Dandy-free, brilliant 😂

[@benzinschnueffler187]

I heard that those Rotary engines can last up to 200.000km and usually last up to 150.000km which isn't that bad tbh. I think if the engine is taken care of they aren't as bad. People call vehicles unreliable pretty fast, its the same with BMW cars and KTM motorcycles

[@tomandtinamatthews6866]

I bought one with 30k on it and drove it to over 80k. The only failures were 1 ignition coil and a crank sensor. I knew how to warm it up and to keep the oil level up and maintained. It was a great car. My wife didn't want to get rid of it even for a newer one. They are great fun to drive and sound amazing but a lit of people didn't understand how to take care of them.

[@Saboda53]

Owned my ‘05 for over 13 years/49K miles and loved it! No problems until catalytic converter failed at 49K miles. Engine good and strong throughout ownership. Truly a special and lovely sports car.

[@AntoniusTyas]

My friend was once considering to get a Scirocco TSI to replace his previous car. Reliable thing, but here in Indonesia, when it breaks down, spareparts are few and far between. And they're ruinously expensive. Ended up buying RX-8 Spirit R instead, since it is much easier to find Mazda dealers and spareparts here. And he ended up loving it to bits.

[@jamiedewberry6702]

The back seats are actually decent. I’m 5 foot 6 inch and a six foot tall adult could sit comfortably behind me. Our daughter came home from the hospital when she was born in the rear seat. When they showed the concept cars they had a color matched car seat shown in the auto shows. It really was a clever design.

[@Skybird_]

I had an rx-8 in the early 2000’s. Dreadful MPG, had to get the Mazda rescue out twice when it wouldn’t start and useless back seats. Also the only car I’ve ever approached in a car park grinning from ear to ear and there isn’t a day that goes by I don’t miss it.

[@Therod911]

You could almost say that this is the Japanese version of Alfa Romeo. ;) I can Imagine you still miss it, as I can't part with my 98 MX5 for the same reason.

[@bzdtemp]

@@Therod911 I also have an NB and I still love it even though it has been mine since 2006. I daily drive it and it is always good, even this morning when I had to clean the snow of it first to get going.

[@Therod911]

@@bzdtemp Yes they are indeed lovely. Not only handling wise, but during top down cruising it just works brilliantly.

[@MrNil80]

I've bought mine a litle bit less than 2 years ago (3'000 miles on the engine) i drove it for about 15'000 miles, and other than a broken spring and ordinary maintenance it has been flawless. The moment i drove one i knew i had to bought one. Excellent review 👌

[@thehound2161]

Rotary fan over 50. First car was an 82 RX-7 and i ran with the rotary. An 84, 87, and an 89 later.. and now a 2004 RX-8 with 150K mi. I had one problem with the 87 when downshifting to 2nd on the freeway. Other than that they all gave me a long life. With the huge red line you don't use the brakes except as a courtesy to those behind you. Smooth at the top and able to jump when you want. The sound, and the steering and cornering are the important factors for me... not off the block times.

[@owensteele1274]

I had an RX-8 six years ago. I would love another one. Good RX-8's are very tuneable, perform well, and still look modern. My Stormy Blue 2005 example was also good fun, and early Velocity Red cars really sparkle. Like you say, an E46 330Ci could be had for the same price, but they've all well-and-truly had it now. Expensive parts, dated and worn-out interiors, boy-racer image, too much rust on most examples, along with moody mileages and guessing what the mostly-incomplete dashboard displays are trying to tell you. On the other hand, the S2000 is a real winner. Just AWESOME!!! Beautiful, well-engineered little cars from every angle. So glad you got one. Yours is stunning. Don't ever get rid of it.

[@Lyshem]

Few things. Make sure oil Is nice and level. Make sure you warm up before its driven as it's a sport car. And just make sure you service more than average as it's a rotary engine

[@EngineerMontila]

Having owned both an S2000 and RX8, the S2000 has the better engine and feels more special, but the RX8 had a better chassis and far better steering feel. Down a twisty B road, I could carry a lot more speed in the RX8 in almost all conditions. The balance of the RX8 is really spot on.

[@davedonnelly8681]

I’ve now owned one as a weekend toy for the past 6 months Down here in aus. Bought one that just had a rebuilt engine from a rotary mechanic. I’ve averaged about 11-13l per 100 ( I think that’s around 20mpg). Mechanically the car has been flawless due to the engine rebuild. As long as you drive them once a week there very suitable to weekend use as there’s very little parts that need changing on a time based interval thus keeping ownership costs actually pretty low. If you find the right vehicle there worth a punt. I had to spend about a year looking for mine though so you have to be patient. Another benefit is there’s so many in scrap yards it’s very easy to find used parts. I do truely love how you can drive it hard and enjoy it with out getting a speeding fine. Funnily enough the car has been more reliable then my previous mx5 nc and more enjoyable on a mountain road then my mk2 focus rs. The only car I can remember that was as fun to drive was the bmw 130i and the Corolla t sport .Thanks jay for the review

[@MV60]

In Brisbane? BTW, a redline a day keeps the rebuild away.

[@Gnrnrvids]

My son just bought one as his first car. 205,000km on the original motor and brilliant to drive.

[@MV60]

@@Gnrnrvids Geez that's extraordinary. They usually go at 100k no matter how you drive them. A good rebuild is to upgrade the apex seals with the steel ones in place of oem ceramic and to do a street port. And to upgrade to series two housings for the extra oil injectors if he has a series one. Just keep that in mind. :) In the mean time, never short trip it, always get at least a redline every drive and keep on top of checking the oil level. Finally, to just enjoy it. :)

[@Gnrnrvids]

@@MV60 I've known the car since new. First owner was a lady that probably bought it because of looks, second owner bought it as a trackday toy and for the occasional blat, Third owner is my son. Its never had premix in it. Just regular servicing and the Mazda mineral oil. 2006, so not sure which series it is. He paid $5k for it. I had an RX7 series III many many years ago and this brings back good memories. I've been having a pay every now and again and still haven't been able to get the front end to let go. rear is a matter of how much throttle :D

[@MV60]

@@Gnrnrvids That is awesome man to know where it's been. My mate also swears by no pre-mixing as well in his. You can tell at a glance which series it is by looking just behind the front fenders at the grille on the side. If it's tall and long and mesh type it's a series 1, if its more like a little emblem, it's series two.

[@kkiwi54]

"for those of you across the pond"? Don't sell yourself short - you reach down-under as well (New Zealand) :o

[@CouldBeInteresting]

I agree! (Australian)

[@BigBenlolz]

Dont know why people think only native english countries watch english content, there's also the rest of the world hello.

[@MC-Racing]

Yeah well Danish here also :-)

[@richardggeorge]

🇦🇺(car needs as LS swap)

[@rwd323]

kkiwi54 and there are broken rx8s everywhere over here too 😂

[@wightangel]

I love your commentaries. Driving real cars for real people. Not just showing off all your high range out of reach of normal people's cars. Keep it up. I am glad you don't waste time bragging what expensive cars you have just bought either. God bless you.

[@cmtann]

I did an engine swap to 2jz 5 years back and still loving it.

[@beaches2mountains230]

I remember when these first came out!! My girlfriend at the time had just gotten a brand new Red one. I drove it alot and at that time owned a modded GS-R Integra. Despite them both having similar high end power and high red line I just remember how well balanced the RX8 was. It was already on its second engine which was replaced by Mazda under warranty(she was bad about checking fluids)which I thought was crazy at that time. Id LOVE to have one but Id go the built motor route and forced induction no doubt. The chassis is a gem as is the motor with proper engine work and engine management.

[@IHadToMakeThisAccount]

I bought one with 24,000 miles, best handling car I’ve driven

[@chrisogrady28]

I have always loved the rx8, I remember back in 2007 (I was 13) getting a DVD of it from a mazda dealership and taking it to my auntie to try and pursuade her into getting one. I've been tempted many times to buy a ropey one and fix it up, they have a really satisfyingly low driving position and amazing gearbox feel, two major priorities. Like you though james, i wish it was a convertible. Maybe even just a manual T top, that would have been badass

[@Myhobbies85]

Be wanted an RX8 for more years than I can think about… I have decided to start putting g money aside to get one, hopefully in the near future I’ll finally own my dream car

[@alexs9528]

The Rx8 is a very misunderstood car . What I love about my Rx8 is that A lot of people are drawn by it . I always get compliments on my Rx8 . Sometimes it makes me appreciate my car more everytime I drive it . Best Car purchase I’ve ever done . 5 years later and it still impressed me all the time

[@Seriouspatt]

Had one about 10 or so years ago. Still coming back to the videos. Mine was reliable and I enjoyed it a lot.

[@paulschofield985]

I’ve got a 2004 RX8 still on original engine, still going strong.. 19 mpg driving local 23 mpg on the motorway so it does like to drink, best car I’ve owned definitely no complaints tons of fun..

[@driverjay8613]

I appreciate you saying that you haven't met a Car that didn't have flaws.

[@ianolivieri1172]

Hi James. I owned one and it got me through midlife crisis number two - with a very big smile on my face. Had no problems at all, traded it at around 130 ks and now regret that I hadn't found a spot in the garage to keep it. The back seats are quite usable, my six foot son and his mates rode back there without complaint and entry and exit only required the driver to release his seat belt, versus getting out and in again in most coups. They are great to drive, best manual shift I have come across, light agile handling and a great sound track. I think Mazda should be commended for having the courage to think outside of the box.

[@nixer65]

I had a 231 brand new for about 18 months. One of the most fun cars to drive I have ever owned. I don’t miss the sub-20 mpg though, nor the 1 litre of oil every 1,500 miles!

[@connorsmith1576]

He's a good few grand off on the price, you can easily pick one of these up with good comp results for £4000 or 1500-2000 if you're willing to gamble, and a good engine rebuild including fitting runs between 2500-3000. I owned one for years and loved it but I wouldn't again honestly. Useless for a daily as I got under 15 mpg on average and if you're doing a short commute it'll kill the engine even quicker, and honestly, 230bhp just isn't enough for a car you're only driving on the weekends even with how fun the 9k redline is. Not to mention as far as running costs go I'd want at least double that power to justify near single digit MPG when you're going for it.

[@Grington300]

Good review, I just wanted to say something about the differences between the 231 and 192 as you just dismissed the 192 with a short sentence saying nobody would want one because the performance was so much worse. That is not true at all. The 231 has 6 ports and a 6 speed gearbox and revs to 9k, the 192 has 4 ports, a 5 speed box and revs to 7.5k. The two extra ports on the 231 open at about 6k or 7k in order that the extra 1.5k revs can be used. Having said that, on the road there is very little difference in performance and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between them in a 'spirited' drive with drivers of similar ability (I have been on several road trips where this was tested and never had any trouble keeping up if I was following - or ahead if I was in front). On track the 231 will pull away, but not by loads, on the longer straights and it may get to the top speed (maybe 5mph more) a bit quicker, but the 192 doesn't disgrace itself and is every bit as much fun to drive. Around town the 192 is easier to drive because of the 5 speed box and it having a little more low down torque, so it is a bit more forgiving ... which was why I got one nearly 14 years ago because of where I live and that most of my driving is in town. It is still going strong on the original engine (getting on for 90k miles now).

[@marclinneman6155]

I got a 192 sp version and didn't compete yet with a hp but the gears are bit longer in the sp makes it a nasty little car wich makes it really nasty with rolling starts. The comment of why someone want the sp isn't right indeed. Some claim that the sp is in some situations faster then the hp because of little more torque and longer gears

[@leer5858]

I've owned 2 192s and a r3, this is true, there is no noticable difference in power. 231 is very generous, it has about 210 and the 192 has about 190, not much in it.

[@VinsUplifting]

I too have a 192, for me the difference in price wasn't worth it and i'm happy with a 5 speed gearbox.

[@MyOpinionMatterss]

I like your no bs reviews. No fluff to forward through. Just facts and opinions. Just what I want in a car review. Also nice to not have to forward through a long drawn out intro with 100 different panning shots while annoying techno music is blasting through my phone.

[@bluspectre2042]

I'm glad the 8 is getting love these years. It never entirely deserved the bad rep it seems to have eluding over it. It's a stellar car that simply offers a near divine driving experience at the expense of typical sports car issues. Address the issues, know what to look for and keep it maintained and it will be there in the driveway, ready for an adventure on the way to work and back every day. I do like the updated styling of the 2009-2011, and my 2011 GT is my daily. I don't plan on changing that, unless fuel continues to drive even further in price to where no car is viable anymore. At that point I guess I'll just have to whip out the bicycle to work and pedal for an hour...

[@amduser86]

in germany you could by a "hansa 23r", which is a mazda mx5 with a rx8 rotary.

[@christianjodwyer]

I had one! Despite well documented flaws, there is just no better car for a petrol head at that pricepoint.

[@ralliartfanevoix]

Love mine. I blew the old original numbers matching engine a couple of years back that had done 180,000mi at the point it lost compression through carbon lock, side and corner seal failure, and coolant seals in both housings went. Carbon lock actually prevented a lot of damage being done, and it cleaned up spectacularly. New seals, new bearings, and rebuild with a streetport are my goals for that engine, and I also am doing a reseal job on a second engine I got very soon. So I'm looking forward to this rebuild, as it is one of the easiest cars I've ever worked on, and it's such a blast to drive. You need to change a few things on the S1, But, you can make them more reliable than how they came off the showroom floor. I wouldn't swap it for anything, nor will I swap any other engine into it.

[@ashleetokeley1075]

I was watching this thinking I recognised the roads and then I realised it was where I thought it was. Right where I live, they are good road to drive :)

[@marklotinga]

I had my RX8 from new for over five years, yes, it drank fuel but l never any other issues with it. Loved the quirky looks & still do, l'd recommend it to anyone.

[@edwargo]

I owned a yellow 1st gen 6 port. Totally worth it. The suspension, the brakes, the chassis, the noise. At the time, it was in a class of its own for the price. Premix, replace the coils every 2 years, change oil every 3 months, warm it up before you run it hard and always keep a couple grand in the bank for a rebuild. Can’t be beat.

[@ronrosalesphotography6058]

Had one of these in my 20s before the kids came along. Listening to that engine and exhaust note, brought a huge smile to my face. Yes, you do have to become best friends with your rotary mechanic and the bloke at the petrol station will know you by name, but all that's forgotten on the twisties!

[@joetaka7620]

Relating to 13:01 about a MX-5 with a 13B Renesis rotary, type '13b NC' on the youtube search box and click on the first video that pops out by HotVersion from Japan. Its got English translation once you click on the subtitle button next to the settings. The actual driving impressions start from 1:55

[@mrc7966]

I used to own an RX8 231. It was 1 owner, full Mazda service history. I knew about the cold/hot starting procedures and looked agree it perfectly, kept up the Mazda service history, revved it out to clear carbon deposits regularly. At 60k while cruising on the motorway the engine lost compression. It's one of the most lovely engines I've experienced, the chassis is fantastic, gearbox is spectacularly nice. Such a shame they seem to just detonate however well looked after.

[@popeyevalls]

Excellent video!! Even with the negatives, you still paid homage to its uniqueness and fun mazda qualities. Kudos!!

[@latonbuzzard2386]

An excellent insight into the Mazda RX8, well done. My storey, Around 2005 my two children were leaving the nest and there was me planning my next car. At the time I was driving a very unreliable Renault Laguna that was two years old. I was planning to purchase a reasonably fast car that was on my bucket list from when I passed my driving test at 18. I was leaning towards a BMW M3 so I visited a dealer in Cardiff moving forward. I was excited to think I was going to get an iconic M3. During my journey back home I was passing a Mazda garage and noticed a very nice looking red sportscar in the showroom. I thought lets take a look at this eye catching car and lets get some information on it. I knew nothing about the rotary concept and could not quite grasp the idea there were no pistons. The sales guy said do you want a test drive, I thought why not. I must be honest I was totally blown away by the handling of the car, especially when the sales guy said, floor it as we were coming off a large roundabout. The noise, the handling was nothing like I had experienced before. I had driven a 2.8 Lt ford sierra, and a escort Cosworth that I am confident that would struggle to match this RX8. The M3 started to be a second choice at this point. I still had 1 year left on my Lagunas lease, so I had some time. Six months later I returned to the Mazda garage to talk through the finances and there it was, a Mazda Prodrive RX8 PZ in Galxay Grey. The RX8 was the most expensive car they were selling at the time with a £26000 price tag. Approximately three months later I was the proud owner of this car. Two years had passed and I started thinking did I make a mistake, reasons: a hike in road tax, and a big increase in petrol prices. I was at the stage of thinking this was not a daily drive car in that current climate, and I reluctantly needed to part x the car for another cheaper daily drive. Talking to the Mazda salesman he suggested keeping the RX8 and only using it on weekends as the petrol saving could be enough to purchase a Mazda 2 on a lease deal. The Math worked out so that is exactly what I did. Today is the 24th of January 2023, and YES I still have the car. My RX8 is in showroom condition with 30k on the clock with very little issues to report. New coils, plugs, and brake disks and that is it. I have been told by the RX8 owners club members that my PZ is probably the nicest example of this fantastic car in the country.( I wish you could see it) the car will never be sold because when it hits the road it constantly turns heads wherever it goes. I did hear today that Mazda is releasing an Electric Rotary hybrid soon in the UK. My current CX5 may be replaced by this new part powered Rotary car, Amen.

[@mykiman5955]

I had a 40th Anniversary edition in pearl white. I didnt have a single problem during ownership and loved driving it. The problem I had was with people constantly telling me the engine was going to go which annoyed me. I checked the oil level at every fuel up and topped up if needed. I had a year of great ownership!!!!

[@arrangrant4614]

A great review much better than all those boring old Audi’s you’ve been doing recently.All of top gear guys raved about the rx8 back in the day when top gear was actually worth watching. I seem to remember that Richard Hammond actually bought one

[@shawnseaman741]

I am the original owner of my 2004 RX8.. I've had it for 18 years now and still love it. It's not the type of car that you just get in and turn the key and go everyday. As long as I change the oil every 3000 miles and added a little two-cycle oil to the gas tank and normal maintenance then she'll last forever. She's still running strong today.

[@Hardwiretag]

Lots of comments on here clearly from people forming an opinion based on reviews and internet posts who have never owned or possibly driven an RX8. Its a great car at a number of things, far more practical than an MX5, far less common than an E36, styling that is fairly unique and less "EuroBox". Does it drink fuel and burn oil...yes. Is it actually as bad as people like to claim....no not really. I owned one for 7 years until someone crashed into it and it was written off. It was a daily driver and weekend fun car (we also have another family car) and yes it was often the preferred choice to go out in....sure the rear doors are a bit of a pain, but they are also cool and again unique. Fuel wise, around-town driving it like it was stolen I managed to drain the tank in 147 miles once, but 250-300 was more common with the occasional motorway drive. As for oil, I would usually do about 18-20k a year in the RX8 and would use 1-1.5 One litre bottles of oil over that time so £15-20 of oil a year. I actually rather miss it these days and often think about picking up a cheap one for an engine rebuild and slapping on a turbo to help with the torque as I think this would make the RX8 the car it always should have been.

[@RogueA.I.]

I bought one in ‘04 when they came out in the US. I had every problem you could possibly have, including engine replacement. I couldn’t wait to get rid of it so I sold it in ‘13. Two years ago I noticed you could get a decent one for 6k USD and I bought another. This time I love it. It still has problems but I don’t use it as a daily driver and I don’t let anyone work on it. There’s just nothing like it.

[@crrc45]

I love my RX/8, 140,000 km an still going strong. best car ever.

[@JetNmyFuture]

I ordered mine in 2002 - received the first USA delivery in 2003. Did not hesitate to burn a few sets of tires off of it, and it was just almost good. It was VERY underpowered - it really, really, really needed to start with +100hp from the factory. I had a budget for heavy modifications - turbo - but it was not really friendly without giving up a lot of convenience and restricted boost without engine changes. It was totally reliable for years - despite my hard driving. No issues at all.

[@1966jamesM]

I bought one new in 2006. I was sort of looking for a new car and I saw this in the show room, took it for a test drive and had done a deal with the salesman before we returned! Loved it, loved it, loved it. But the wrong choice for business. Yes it drank a lot fuel, but I didn't experience particularly excessive oil consumption, which might have been impart due to the type of miles I was doing. In the 3 years I owned it I did over about 30,000 miles with several trips to the South of France and although I suffered an empty wallet, I never suffered any mechanicals and it was utterly reliable. I had the leather seats option and to me they have been the most comfortable seats I have sat in in any car. On the 13 hour drive from the Channel Tunnel to Perpignan on the Med, I never suffered any aches or stiffness. Driving it was like driving nothing else. A totally unique experience with the way the power was delivered, the whine of the rotary engine and the way the engine came alive above 4000 rpm and then there was the grin on your face.... Today I drive a diesel SUV and still miss my RX8.

[@DJEylisium]

I almost bought one of these last month. Went for a 1991 Eunos Roadster instead. Also I saw a Pro Drive RX8 for sale last month, with about 56k on the clock go up for sale for £2,995

[@mrjohnnyk]

Same lol, I bought myself a 92 Miata. It's a much better car than the RX IMO, much lower maintenance and a lighter/purer car to drive. Plus, it's a roadster!

[@JDMEXforme]

You did yourself a huge favour. Stay away from those rotaries. Plus the aftermarket sucks for Rx8's

[@h2489-m2l]

And you can easily turbo the MX5. Without FI the RX8 will never be the car the RX7 has become

[@S-Ltd1000]

I had an mx5 NC, an amazing example of a smart brabus roadster and a eunos S-limited. The only one I still own is the Eunos.

[@nigel.w]

Don't pay more for any of the special editions. None are especially special.

[@Crosshead1]

I owned a Series 2 RX-8 for five years from new as my daily driver here in Australia and it never missed a beat. The only problem I had was a leaking rear shock. Mazda replaced both rear shocks under warranty. Even though it chewed up petrol like it was going out of style, I now regret selling the car. It was a blast to drive and never failed to put a smile on my face.

[@AdmiralBucock]

A few years back I had a grey PZ, the same as the one in the video, it's probably the only Prodrive car I'll ever afford! I bought it after being disappointed by a test drive in FN Type-R, the RX-8 seemed so much more interesting and special. Over the period I owned the car it cost a fortune to run, fuel was awful (worse than my current Z4M), I had to replace a cat at great cost and eventually I had low compression engine problems so I let it go. To make things even worse I remember being caught in the wrong gear on an uphill once and getting out dragged by a Clio Diesel which was really depressing. Still even with all that on the right winding road on the right day it was fantastic fun, plenty quick enough if you could rev it out and sounded wonderful.

[@johnwhite4246]

Great review. I bought a 192 version in 2004 and kept it for (an enjoyable ) 2 years. As a promotion, Mazda offered a free day at the Prodrive circuit near Coventry. It was a varied day with experienced instructors and some time on the open road, but highlighted by time on their skidpan. The fuel consumption average was 24 mpg and I never thought too much about the oil usage. There was a significant problem with fuel flooding when starting from cold which really meant that new plugs were needed. However there was a later factory mod. which cured this problem. Loved the smooth high revving engine, the gearbox and the roadholding.

[@nova-oy4qy]

JayEmm, you have raised your game. Specs don't always tell the whole story. So pleased that you kept an open mind. You got me. I'm going to click subscribe finally. :)

[@Anthonybush83]

I own a PZ and honestly can say it is the best car I’ve driven. Handles like an absolute dream and can outrun a lot of cars in the bends but it won’t beat a family saloon from the lights (until you hit 4-5000rpm). I think it is a stunning looking car especially in PZ form, but all of them have a charm and appeal especially the R3 model! The negative is the tax man rubbing his hands in glee, not only road tax but at the pump where I only manage around 180-200 miles between fill ups. Great review, I Love when people listen to the negative press and make their mind up and form an opinion based on this then get the chance to drive one and come out grinning and wanting one.

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm420]

Good review. Glad you overlaid the corrosion section. The sills especially are prone to severe rot. Mazda were and still are behind the game with corrosion resistance.

[@pgtmr2713]

Completely their fault, Ford dealt with their rust issues back when the 2 companies were associated.

[@Badmudaphucka]

Just commenting because I like your video's & you say it helps you out.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Legend

[@cbremer83]

Still rolling in my '09 I picked up in '12. Still love the car. Can not wait for warm weather and the salt to get off the road so I can get it back out.

[@jangelopabunan93]

Just purchased one from a friend about a week ago. I love the car! I've been wanting one since I was young! It has some issues but the driving experience is incredible!

[@rx4mandude]

I love my RX8. Great video, you are spot on . Mine is rust free and low kms with strong compression so hoping to keep it a long time . I change my oil every 3000 miles

[@grahamtricker4103]

I bought a new RX8 (230 top-spec model) in 2004 and back in those days, there was zero talk of any unreliability. I thought it was a great car and enjoyed every minute driving it. I guess like any old car now, unreliability creeps in as high mileages and wear sores... Good review!

[@brianrainey2739]

As a previous owner of a 2007 I have to agree with much of what you have stated. Great handling. Great gearbox. Great noise. Incredible revving engine. Bad fuel mileage. You have to keep an eye on the oil level on a regular basis. Don't start the car, move it 3 feet in the driveway and turn it off. What I really disagree with is your comment on the back seat. It is very comfortable for 2 average size adults and this is a real four seater. I miss my beautiful dark blue Mazdaspeed RX-8 and someday I hope our paths will cross once again. If you are a car enthusiast and you are willing to put some effort in to maintaining it properly then buy one! It deserves a good owner who will take care of it and it will make you smile every time you drive it.

[@DT-mv2rh]

Great review. Owned two RX-8s and they rank right up there as one of the best drivers cars I've ever owned. Unfortunately, both were sold for spares or repair on ebay!

[@mickeyhartsell6096]

I owned a 93 and 94 RX7 and now drive a Honda S2000 AP1 and loved them . Just never been crazy about the RX8.

[@mrdayumfine109]

I actually had one of these for my first car, as I managed to find one insurer that actualy had it down as a 1.3ltr 4 door. Where as all the others have it down as a 2. 6ltr for reason. So I paid less for my RX8 than my friend did for his 1.4 Clio, and was paying around the same a year to insure it. Best 5 weeks of my life, until the car started having serious issues...

[@paulschofield985]

Do you know the name of the insurance company ? Mines down as a 2.6L also..

[@garyhosking7866]

My father in law had a red 192 which four of us took to France and back, all 6ft 2 of me happily sat in the back. I now own a grey PZ myself which I love, a good exhaust (pettit and Racing bear combo) and a porter engine and they are perfect. I have owned a few performance cars and few of them put as big a grin on my face as my PZ does.

[@SteveMillersm101]

For me the RX8 provided the best test drive I ever had from a main dealer. Still didn't buy but it was close. I still tell my son to have a go in one as they are quite, quite special.

[@bbaker4606]

Excellent review, as an owner I can say your conclusions were spot on!

[@papatorr3669]

JayEmm, I have a couple of problems. 1. I have too many cars and must sell several. 2. My favorite to drive on a twisty road is my RX8! I need to narrow down to only one two seater out of: MX5 NA, BMW Z3 3.0, and Boxster 2.7; all manual 5spd. It's like picking a dance partner out of several really good ones. And I happen to like the way the RX8 dances on mountain roads, it's the most engaging to me. The Z3 is my next close second, the Boxster is the quickest, and the MX5 is still fun in last place. I also have E46's which arguably are a better choice than the RX8. But I just love the way the RX8 interacts with the driver (me).

[@Tones-he3cj]

I bought one in 2010 and had it for over 8 years before I bought the MX-5RF. I loved it.

[@Hali88]

My Dad was one of the first owners of the first generation of these. He ran it as a daily for a couple of years, then sold it cos it drank too much fuel and was costing him a fortune. However lightfooted he drove it, it never got over about 28mpg. He always loved how it drove though, steering, gear change, both pretty much perfect. And the engine sounds like a quieter version of a motorbike. They also gave a track experience day to those first new owners, I went with him (sat in the back) and it was actually pretty quick through the corners. Oh, and in those two years it was 100% reliable. You just have to know how to avoid flooding it.

[@chrisogrady28]

When I was a teenager I thought the coolest cars in the world were the Alfa Brera, BMW 1 series coupe, and the RX8. Since then I've had a lovely 159 (a 4 door brera), currently drive a lovely 125i convertible, and I guess I know what my next move has to be. I too though wish the RX8 was a convertible or even a T top.

[@upbuild4397]

That made me really want an Rx8, I’m off to trawl the internet now haha!

[@courtneyrager2166]

UPbuild When searching, some advice would be to look for one where the engine has been compression tested by someone reputable, and has returned good results.

[@essexrotary1540]

Make sure you get one with a proper Compression test numbers above 600kPa at a cranking speed of 250rpm when the engine is hot (around 89-91degC) and you should be good. Over 700kPa and your golden

[@Mitch3343]

You can also find other Rx8 enthusiasts on Purely Rx8 on Facebook

[@blacksantarecords]

Check out the RX8 Owners Club site for lots of good advice before buying.

[@DarkIzo]

e60 m5 next :D

[@tlzangl]

As an American, I’ve been waiting for you to level up 😄

[@blacksantarecords]

I was car shopping and the RX8 was actually bottom of my list. I spent the day going around London test driving all different cars, working down the list but nothing really took my fancy. Right at the end of the day I was about to give up but thought I might as well give one of those Mazda's a try as it was nearby. I drove it and instantly decided, I need this car in my life lol.

[@JLHenderson]

One of my favorite moments in my Rx8 was in college. drove from Orlando to Tampa FL. For a film shoot. Me driving with Savannah, Carlos, and Jake blasting heavy metal and rock loaded down with film equipment. We were shooting a car documentary and had such a blast. Im 6ft 1 in so i had to move my seat up some but I'll never forget how fun that night was. I'll never sell my Rx8. Such a fun underrated car.

[@SerenaBluee]

I had a Winning Blue S1 192 as my first car and loved every second of ownership. I don't quite regret selling that particular car as it suffered from neglect by previous owners and had borderline low compression by 60k miles, but I yearn to have one again every time I see one. I could live with 18mpg average if it had 350+hp but for around 200-230 I just couldn't justify it. The best I ever managed was 32.5 mpg over 320 miles on the motorway at 60 mph. Motorway average at normal speeds of 70 was about 26-27 and 80-85 woulf bring that down to low 20s. The ride and seating position is excellent, and I found it a very forgiving car for an enthusiast new driver considering it is RWD. I also moved house in it as a university student (admittedly when I had a lot fewer posessions) and at 6'0" I could sit behind my dad who is 6'3" in relative comfort for such tiny seats. The half rear suicide doors do wonders for practicality. I believe heated and electrically adjustable leather seats were standard in the UK along with Bose speakers. Off to the classifieds again for me...