Amazing handling? Check.
9000-rpm redline? Check.
Perfect ergonomics? Check.
And now with prices starting around $5000? Meet the Mazda RX-8.
The Mazda RX-8 signaled the return of the rotary. After nearly a decade away, Mazda brought the Wankel engine back to its fans, along with the promise of smoo…
Always liked the RX's. The fuel costs don't really deter me if I like driving the car. I always figure that is just part of the cost of the hobby.
I really want an FD, but running unmolested ones are becoming unobtanium under $10k.
I liked the Rx-8 when it came out and still do, could be a future option if prices keep dropping.
I would agree. RX-8 can be considered worth buying even if the price is depreciating.
I'm still seeing lots of RX-8s out there. A friend just bought an autocross-prepped RX-8 for like $8k or so. (And "autocross-prepped" just means prepped for C Street, so it's not really modified, although it has received a new engine.)
He's happy with it.
I've always wanted one. I daydream about buying a cheap, non-running beater and swapping in a new engine and doing a restoration.
SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: I really want an FD, but running unmolested ones are becoming unobtanium under $10k. I liked the Rx-8 when it came out and still do, could be a future option if prices keep dropping.
Wait until JDM imports for FD become available. Not only will prices tank but there will be a wealth of hardly modded ones.
Friend runs CS in one. They installed 2 engines this year. Last one was a rebuilt to factory spec by a good shop for them supposedly. He hopes to keep it together for longer than a year now....
In reply to kanaric:
I'm waiting so hard for that.
I day dream about RX-8s from time to time when I run across one with a trashed motor for $1.5k, which is pretty common where I'm at. The problem is that I didn't enjoy it too much when I drove one at Zoom-Zoom Live a number of years ago and I'm still not sure if my opinion would be colored by that or not.
The0retical wrote: In reply to kanaric: I'm waiting so hard for that. I day dream about RX-8s from time to time when I run across one with a trashed motor for $1.5k, which is pretty common where I'm at. The problem is that I didn't enjoy it too much when I drove one at Zoom-Zoom Live a number of years ago and I'm still not sure if my opinion would be colored by that or not.
I flogged one there too and Mazda set them up to understeer a lot to keep people from spinning on course. I've driven a couple others and they are not understeery. Nice and neutral/balanced.
One of the best driving cars I have ever been behind the wheel of hands down. I've never had so much of an S eating grin as when I drove an RX-8 
Then why am I not in love with mine?
clutchsmoke wrote:The0retical wrote: In reply to kanaric: I'm waiting so hard for that. I day dream about RX-8s from time to time when I run across one with a trashed motor for $1.5k, which is pretty common where I'm at. The problem is that I didn't enjoy it too much when I drove one at Zoom-Zoom Live a number of years ago and I'm still not sure if my opinion would be colored by that or not.I flogged one there too and Mazda set them up to understeer a lot to keep people from spinning on course. I've driven a couple others and they are not understeery. Nice and neutral/balanced.
If that's the case maybe I should give one a go. There's a lot of 4 to 5k decent condition runners around me. Swap in BHR coils and a reinforced clutch pedal then if I hate it sell it for what I got it for. I doubt they'll depreciate too much more than the '04 '05 models have already.
And crap there's no less than a dozen within 50 miles at that price. I might have to scratch that rotary itch after all.
In reply to The0retical:
It's worth a try. They are seriously fun to drive and very rewarding. Don't even have to go with BHR. Just grab the '08 and newer OEM coils. If you're 5'10 or taller avoid the sunroof equipped cars.
I still remember the first time I drove an RX-8: I was in love less than 100 feet into the drive.
It may be a great bargain and I know beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, but the RX-8 to me is one of the ugliest cars cars to ever come out of Japan, and IMHO that says something because Japan is not a country known for making great looking cars. I think the last really attractive looking Japanese car was the Datsun 240Z. The RX7 was a much prettier car than the RX-8.
I could never get over the styling of the RX8. It wasn't as good looking as the 260Z small bumper I had or the first year RX7 I bought new. The A/C isn't very good on the first 2 yrs of the RX8.
Bob
To me, the RX-8 is a little color-dependent in that it looks better in some more than others. Good wheels also help tremendously, too.
David S. Wallens wrote: To me, the RX-8 is a little color-dependent in that it looks better in some more than others. Good wheels also help tremendously, too. Completely agree , and the later versions had better lines visually IMO . I have driven a few ,various years , and am absolutely amazed at the handling in stock form . I can't imagine what suspension and tire upgrades could do . As far as the 13B rotary , let's remember their first ones (in 1974)only pushed like 115 hp ? I am shopping now ....
Ive never been sold on the cars looks either. I got it because I liked the way it drove. I autox it in CS but it isnt prepared in any way besides a good set of tires. Ive had good luck with it except the one time I had competition with fully prepared cars and far more experience under their belt 
. Despite that, to say it handles well is the understatement of the week.
I could see how people want more power, but outside of autox I kinda wish mine had less grip. Since I put non-garbage tires on mine Ive found the thing much less exciting at anywhere near legal speeds..
I saw one just today and thought of this thread. What again went through my head was that they're great cars, but man, they are fugly.
In reply to TR8owner:
I think the best looking one by far is the R3 in blue (or white, but couldn't get that in USA). However i might be biased as that's the one i have... then again the list of cars i think look better than the R3 is quite long.
In reply to Rufledt: Do what I did with my 240Z. Two sets of tires, one garbage to slide sideways in, the other sticky for the track time.
If there is one with a crapped out rotary, I think a Duratec 4 cyl motor would be an interesting swap in.
One of our press cars was a dark grey 40th anniversary of the rotary edition. I thought that the car looked particularly good in that color.
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