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2009 Mazda RX-8 consumer reviews

$26,435 starting MSRP
side view of 2009 RX-8 Mazda
(18 reviews)
88% of drivers recommend this car
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.1
  • Interior 4.6
  • Performance 4.3
  • Value 4.1
  • Exterior 4.8
  • Reliability 4.2
Explore the 2009 Mazda RX-8

The most impressive and incredible drivers car

What a fantastic car, the driving experience from this car is second to none. It is reasonably comfortable inside, with room for 3 passengers but 2 realistically as the driver must put their seat back to be comfortable. The build quality of the interior is up to par. Now for the driving, this car really really handles like it's on rails. Wherever you point it, it goes. The silky smooth rotary adds up to a unique experience of a car that makes you feel as if you are one with the road. The main downside with this car is the fuel consumption (It's a sports car so dunno if you should even consider any sports car if fuel consumption is a concern) and the intense maintenance schedule. If kept in good nick which is relatively easy this car is dream come true and quite an affordable one at that!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
8 people out of 8 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Owned for 8 years Still going strong

Bought my RX8 Sport 6 speed with 30,000 miles 8 years ago Comfortable quick handles like its on rails 232 HP is a little light Recently did a few up grades I installed a chip in the USB picked up 20HP Cold air intake 5HP Magna Flow Cat Pipe 8HP and a Magna Flow Racing Muffler 16HP Now pushing around 281HP + another 30-40 FtLbs All for under a Grand Now Instant Throttle Response 4+MPGs 0 to 60 MPH mid-High 5s Ill have it another 5-6 yrs sweet fast and handles

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 4.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
1 person out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Only ever needs scheduled Maintenance

My Mazda has never let me down. I have diligently performed all of my scheduled maintenance and the car has rewarded me with a flawless record over the last 95k miles. I used to drive it every day rain or shine more than 80 miles per day, now it lives under a cover and comes out to play on the weekends :)

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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The most understated sports coupe on the market.

I have never driven a car that handled as well as this car. Driving it feels like an extension of your every movement. The car does exactly what you tell it too. I could keep up with Porsches and BMWs with twice the horse power on winding mountainous roads. The engine although anemic in torque revs happily and rewards you for beating it. The Recaro seats were too uncomfortable for my taste during long trips. This is one of the most understated and undervalued sports cars on the market right now, truly a tragedy for Mazda, but a win for consumers.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 3.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Great dependable sports car, handles great.

Classic styling, powerful rotary engine, fun to drive, superior quality and dependability. Owner for 10 years, just practical wear and maintenance. None of the rotary quarks from early year designs.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Amazing car

Great car, fun to drive, very stylish, and has the feeling of a much more powerful car due to its light weight and the aerodynamics

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Does recommend this car
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2 words ENGINE REPLACEMENT/REBUILD

The engine in my Mazda Rx-8 started losing compression at <100k miles. After doing research (that I wish I had done PRIOR to buying this car) I found that it is EXTREMELY COMMON for Rx-8's to need new engines OR an engine rebuild fairly often. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 3.0
  • Value 2.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does not recommend this car
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Most Fun Car To Drive

I love this car. The engine sounds way different from a piston car and its handles are amazing. The Recaro racing seats hug you when you hit the sharp corners and there is little to no slippage while turning at high speeds.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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Do Your research!

Do your research! i was fortunate because i have been a fan of this car for many years before i purchased, therefore i knew how to take care of the car and what to avoid. For example, every fill up you want to check the oil because you will need to add about half a quart depending on your driving style, this car injects a small amount of oil into the engine itself to lubricate the seals so topping off the oil is crucial. 2nd. you do NOT want to use synthetic oil in the motor because synthetic oil leaves a film inside the rotor housing when burned..not good. use regular 5w30 ... its a lil thicker but does a better job of lubricatin the motor. 3rd. i use a premix 2cycle oil in the gas at a ratio of 1/2oz per gallon added, Idemitsu makes a premix specifically designed for the rotary and altho it is synthetic it does not leave a film after combustion. i purchased my 09 rx8 from Luxury Haus 46 in Linden NJ from Mohammed and he took great care of me. this car will reward you if you take care of it...if you dont...be ready for headaches.. the car is so fun to drive, i am 6'1 and it fits me like a glove, the gas mileage isnt great but its a small price to pay for owning this car....lastly redline the engine at least once a day to clear up any carbon that may be in the engine. enjoy.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 3.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Love it but

I have the 09 6 speed Handles great Cornering is great Bought this new rotary engine burns a lot of oil I went synthetic only other problem was if you start it move it and turn it off you could flood the plugs this happend to me twice and had to take out the plugs and dry them before I could get her started again, so you have to watch that gas mileage 16/18 but i Expected that Besides that I love the car would recommend it to a friend.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 3.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 4.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
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