2004 Mazda RX-8

Rating from Rotorhead

(4)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		4 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		5 out of 5
Value for the Money:		5 out of 5
Reliability:		4 out of 5

"I love my 8. It's fast, very comfortable, and handles amazingly. I've maintained it very well, including redlining it once a day (supposed to do this for rotaries), and it's never let me down. The Mazda RX-8 isn't a normal car, in any sense. It has high maintenance costs, and requires quite a bit of maintenance and care. It's also quite expensive to modify because this car's market for performance parts is so small. It's an EXTREMELY fun car, and being so, you have to pay to play. It's not a car for people who do not have automotive knowlege...just buy a Camry. This car is for people who love rotaries and don't mind spending a little money keeping her going. If you don't maintain this car, it will bite you. Hard. But if you do maintain it, you'll love it like I do. If you don't have any extra money to put into it, don't buy it. But don't be an idiot like some people and give it a bad review just because you bought it and can't afford to keep it up. It's is designed to use some oil, and just because you don't like buying oil to top it off doesn't mean it's a bad car. It just means you didn't do your research."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Just getting around

Rating from jack

(2)
Comfort:		3 out of 5
Performance:		2 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		4 out of 5
Interior Design:		4 out of 5
Value for the Money:		3 out of 5
Reliability:		1 out of 5

"the car is beautiful, fast, etc. mine has about 100,000 miles. the engine has been replaced twice, one within a year of purchase due to a recall. over the last four years it has cost me about $5000 in things that shouldn't have gone bad. mazda factory parts are rediculously over priced. one part which the service manager told me was some dinky little thing cost like $700. both door lock motors are gone, transmission reverse switch went so every time i put it in reverse it blew a fuse. i can go on and on. but i have a 100,000 mile care with an engine with about 12,000 miles on it that they paid for. would i ever buy a rotary engine or mazda again. NEVER"

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Just getting around

Rating from Rotorin

(4)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		5 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		5 out of 5
Value for the Money:		4 out of 5
Reliability:		4 out of 5

"Buttery smooth power delivery. This car requires lots of TLC and careful maintenance and research. Not for grandmas. Only good for enthusiasts that do not mind higher total cost of ownership in order to drive a magnificent car. Superb handling and styling. A unique endangered species."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting

Rating from rex8n

(5)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		4 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		4 out of 5
Interior Design:		5 out of 5
Value for the Money:		4 out of 5
Reliability:		4 out of 5

"The car handles very well, it has 3 power bands 1-3000,3-7000,7-9600. Each with a noticeable difference in power.the gas mielage is truely low if you drive agressive but low rpm does well.it is a sports car and needs the maintnance of a sports car but the enjoyment of the engine revving and the handling are worth it this is not your girlfriends car.I was looking at the 04lexus is 300 this has similar style and comfort as well as 20+hp fully loaded leather/nav/bose stereo and 6spd trans it a fun car but will cost you...pay to play"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Work

Rating from Miata Lover

(4)
Comfort:		4 out of 5
Performance:		5 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		5 out of 5
Value for the Money:		3 out of 5
Reliability:		3 out of 5

"I purchased a brand-new 2006 in February 2007. Had a couple of recalls, nothing major. No problems until the manufacturer's warranty ran out, but thank goodness I purchased an extended warranty for 2 years. Two months after manufacturer's warranty expired, engine light came on; car needed fuel injectors cleaned at a cost of $1200.00. Three months later, engine light came on again, this time a problem with the intake manifold, at a cost of $1400.00. At 30,000 mile checkup (car only has 34,500 miles on it), was told both engine mounts were cracked, at a cost of $700.00. I gave up, traded it in, and purchased a 2011 Miata. I bought an MX5 before, and it was the greatest car I ever owned. Now, I am happy with my 2011 Miata. I love the way the RX8 looks and handles, but I would suggest purchasing an extended warranty, and hopefully you have some loose change lying around so that you can afford the upkeep and repairs."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Commuting

Rating from A man

(5)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		5 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		5 out of 5
Value for the Money:		5 out of 5
Reliability:		5 out of 5

"Never had a problem since i purchased. has gotten me from point A to B perfectly fine within reasonable gas mileage."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

Primary use for this car: N/A

Rating from Rx8 Owner

(5)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		4 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		4 out of 5
Value for the Money:		5 out of 5
Reliability:		5 out of 5

"I've owned mine for almost 3 years now. Only had one issue since I bought the car (ignition coil). Other than that if you let the car warm up before you drive and NEVER EVER turn it off when it's cold, this thing will be flawless. This is one of the only cars you can rev at such high RPMs all day everyday and it's good for the car. I love this thing, just wish it was a little faster. If this had the speed3 motor in it, it'd be too perfect. High end is OK but definitely lacks torque at low RPM's. On the highway from a 55 roll, I keep up with my buddy's 05 wrx, but from a stop, he's gone. Still the most amazing handling ever, I'm keeping mine till it dies."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting

Rating from Mazdaspeed

(5)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		5 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		5 out of 5
Value for the Money:		5 out of 5
Reliability:		5 out of 5

"I am selling my RX8 on Cars.com I see all these negative comments. This one guy from maryland says you have to wait until it warms up to shut the car back off again or it will flood it. This is true. However, Mazda covers flooding under this 8 year 100K extended warranty. They will pay for tow charges and new spark plugs to deflood it. If you dont contact Mazda about this and take it somewhere else, they will not reimburse you. This car is an amazing car. You have to know what kind of oil to put in it, You cant put just any oil brand in there. If its not light enough it wont lubricate the engine good enough. Read the OWNERS MANUAL. It clearly states, check the oil level every other gas tank. Its normal for these cars to burn a quart of oil every 3,000 miles (every oil change). You have to worry when THEY DONT BURN OIL! This means that the oil isnt getting around to all moving parts and it will sieze up. The 2004 models has a problem with their oil injectors ( a mazda dealership told me this). So, If you shift like a soccer mom around 2K, this engine wont like it. This is why the Automatic version of this car didnt do so well since the automatic shifted around 3k and didnt provide enough spin to lubricate the engine. I would never buy a Automatic 2004 Mazda Rx8 - they have the most problems. However, a manual rx8 2004.. shift around 5k and your good to go, you will burn more gas, however i think its better than your engine blowin up. About Gas, go to your nearest BP station, the engine loves anything ABOVE the standard 91 premium. It doesnt like the 91 for some reason. Well, I hope this helps ! I owned a 1988 mazda rx7 and now i own a 2004 manual rx8.. i love rotory engines :)"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting

Rating from Metro Man

(5)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		5 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		5 out of 5
Value for the Money:		4 out of 5
Reliability:		5 out of 5

"I would like to quell the negative and naive comments posted. The RX8 and other rotary powered Mazdas are EXTREMELY reliable machines, given they have only 3 moving internal parts (the trochoids and eccentric shaft). Yes, you have to follow a similar procedure to a turbocharged vehicle, letting it warm up prior to shutdown and you should rev an early model prior to shutdown. This is a small price to pay considering the performance you get. It's not the fastest thing around, but in the twisties, there are few cars that match it and no others at this price point. You will be visiting quite a few gas stations and it does require premium fuel, but you're buying a sports car. The engine noise at redline is simply intoxicating, and with exhaust work, it sounds like an old F1 car screaming down the road. Bottom line, make sure there is someone capable of servicing this car near you and don't hesitate to buy one, it is a fantastic car with lots of room, great performance and timelessly quirky styling."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Just getting around

Rating from Car owner

(3)
Comfort:		4 out of 5
Performance:		5 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		4 out of 5
Value for the Money:		3 out of 5
Reliability:		1 out of 5

"I bought an 04 with 65K miles and engine brokedown after 2 weeks. Car looks great, handles like a dream, has plenty of power but all that doesnt matter if car doesn't run. Mazda has extended warranty to 100k miles / 8 years but if car has any aftermarket parts or you admit to using anything other than manufacturers recommended oil then your warranty will be void. Be careful buying if you are looking primarily for reliability."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting