I'm just curious if you didn't test the MPG, how did it appear to be awful?

Anyhow, thanks for the review. That's one of those cars that the wife and I talk about for after the Tahoe is paid for. I like them personally. Life does exist elsewhere than the 1/4 mile track, contrary to the local belief.

 

It appeared to be awful because in 150 mostly-highway miles, it went from 2/3 to completely empty. Granted, it did see 9,000 RPMs a few times

If you're actually interested in one, I would DEFINITELY purchase one used. My wholesaler even said "I've purchased a TON of these with virtually no miles on them...people don't seem to keep them long." I know my Grand Touring '04 with 28k stickered close to $35k, yet 3 years old I sold it wholesale for $16k...I imagine once you added the 2 back tires it needed, a dealer would ask $19,995 for it. Also, keep in mind these cars are known for the dreaded hot-start issue, where they end up flooding themselves and need to be towed to a dealer. A friend of mine has an '04, and with only 10k its been towed twice.

Why not just buy a 5th gen??

 

Used is the only way to go IMO. I'm in the Dallas area and they're everywhere. The last time I browsed the classifieds, 20k miles can be had for $20k or so. You're right, it doesn't seem like people keep them long - just judging by the number of cars listed for sale.

As for the 5th gen? Well, as we all know perception is reality, and my wife percieves Camaros to get poor mileage and be unreliable, logic be damned.

Then again, I could always get rid of the wife...........

 

Uhm, how can she assume a car that's not even in production yet will have poor reliability? Also, when the EPA labels are out on both, drive her by both cars on a new car lot, and I GUARANTEE a base 6.0 SS will have better MPG...

On a side note, don't tell her this if you really want one, but the reliability on an RX-8 really does suck. With this one, the airbag light was flashing on and off constantly, I know Mazda has a recall for the hard start issues, and there's a myriad of other problems with them too...

So much for your wife's theory At least my girlfriend has already accepted the fact I will not put an import in the driveway...ever

 

Ahem....

ziiiiiiiiiiiiiip......

 

I'm waiting to see the first RX-8 with an LSx swap.

 

Im not saying its dog slow. It feels sluggish until you rev it to high hell. I just wasn't into the car that much. Yea it was comfy, but so was 95 Camaro. The interior on these are nice aside from the goofy rotary accents everywhere. Its a good car, but overrated.

 

I have a buddy with a Rx-8 and I'd have to add that its a super fun car. The car's chassis just loves twisty roads. It turns like its on rails, has very responsive steering and its not upset by mid corner bumps that would send the rear end of my Z28 skipping across the road. The difference in handling between my Z28, with a 32mm front sway, bilsteins, and SFC's and the stock RX-8 is more than words can describe. You've just got to drive one to get what the car is about.

I honestly didnt miss the low end torque. The car just has a different personality too it than a V8 pony car. Contrary to Camaroz28.com belief, there is fun to be had shifting at 9000rpm. Its got adequate power to feel sporty, and the interior is really nice. I would like the chance to drive a 350Z for comparisons sake.

 

Probably because of oil consumption.

 

Most light sports cars make our efforts at making our heavyweights handle silly... I thought my T/A was awesome. Then I bought my XR4Ti and I realized F-bodies are very competent, but will never be an excellent handling cars. Then I purchased my SVT Focus, my concept of FWD as non-handlers was disintegrated. My Focus and my Merkur are both in a different league when it comes to the twisties than my T/A, on practically stock suspension setups too.

 

One of my best friends had a loaded up 04 RX8 until the motor blew at about 52k miles or so.

That car was a POS in many regards, and I hated driving it - the motor was just retarded how much it needed to be revved up to get moving, how bad/labored it sounded being revved - I know the oil burning thing is normal for a rotary but still doesn't sit right with me.

The only thing I liked about it was the handling and steering response was nice and tight/quick and very capable. My wife also loves the way that car looks.

But that's about it for me. I don't even like the interior that much to be honest. Looks nice but doesn't really scream quality to me when you interact with many parts of it. I've noticed a lot of Mazda interiors are this way. Great looking on the surface but don't really resonate with quality, especially after time.

 

I don't argue with any of that really, save for the fact that I think it sounds pretty sweet when you wind it out I just thought it was interesting to drive a more modern vehicle, with today's level of ride quality and interior appointments, for the same money as say an '02 SS or WS6...