2004 Mazda RX-8 Coupe Review | Edmunds.com
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2004 Mazda RX-8 Coupe

Edmunds Review (582) MPG

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Mazda RX-8 Features and Specs

Features & Specs

  • Engine 1.3 L Rotary -cylinder
  • Drivetrain Rear Wheel Drive
  • Transmission 6-speed Manual
  • Horse Power 238 hp @ 8500 rpm
  • Fuel Economy 16/22 mpg
  • Bluetooth No
  • Navigation No
  • Heated Seats Yes
See All Features & Specs

Review of the 2004 Mazda RX-8

  • Regardless of how many doors the RX-8 has, it is ultimately a sports coupe. We applaud Mazda's return to building affordable, non-conformist performance cars.

  • Safety

  • Pros

    Low base price, agile handling yet still comfortable enough for daily use, room for four in a pinch.

  • Cons

    Option packages can get expensive, iffy interior ergonomics.

  • What's New for 2004

    The RX-8 is an all-new car for 2004. Its arrival marks the return of Mazda's rotary engine to the U.S. market. Priced less than Nissan's 350Z, the RX-8 also offers four doors and a usable backseat.

What Others Are Saying

Customer Reviews

  Average Consumer Rating (582 total reviews)  |  Write a Review
14 of 26 people found this review helpful

Fun to drive

by on
Vehicle: 2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

This car is great. It is amazing to drive. It grips the road and corners like a dream. It isn't the fastest car from a stop, but it more than makes up once you get moving. If you plan on buying though, do some research. The rotary engine should not be driven like a normal piston engine. It requires high rpms to run correctly. If you try to baby this car, you will have problems (carbon build-up, flooding). The best advice Ive seen about this vehicle is drive it like you stole it. BTW, get the manual transmission, it gives you a lot more horsepower than the automatic version. Make sure you check that the engine recall was taken care of before you buy and you shouldnt have any problems.


8 of 26 people found this review helpful

Run far far away...

by on
Vehicle: 2004 Mazda RX-8 Automatic 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 4A)

I bought my 2004 Mazda RX8 in 2004 - brand new with 4 miles on it. I treated this car like royalty: and it didn't matter. Engine was replaced at 20k for warranty - THEN the engine failed again just 2k outside of warranty - I paid $7,000 for repairs; The spark plugs cost $100 a piece, Tires are $200. MUST have premium gas (At premium prices) and MPG is horrible. $5 in gas won't get you out of your neighborhood. Now -2012 - I finally got rid of it. PROBLEMS from day one til the last day. Car shuts off at red lights, when its too cold, and when its too hot. MUST warm-up engine for 15 min. before driving anywhere - I can go on for days but my space here is limited. DO NOT BUY a 2004 Mazda RX8


12 of 12 people found this review helpful

Fair review for the last

by on
Vehicle: 2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

The RX8 is a true 4 door 4 seat sports cars, what it lacks in low end torque it makes up for in handling. Rotary motor propels the 3100lb RX8 to 60 in 6.0 sec. and a ¼ mile in 14.9. Fuel consumption for the RX8 was Avg for when it first came out, 17city/24 Hwy. The cars light weight stiff chassis and electronic steering makes this a point and drive sports car allowing even the novice of sports car owners the ability to get behind the wheel and take the turns like a pro. This car does come at a price requiring you to add oil about ever 4 fill up’s. This is a good daily driver for hwy only commuters


21 of 61 people found this review helpful

Amazingly expensive

by on
Vehicle: 2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

Bought it used at 76k miles, and had it until 86k miles for only one year. One of the most fun to drive cars, but also one of the most unreliable and expensive cars to own. Spent over 12k in one year in maintenance alone. PROs and CONs are listed in the full review.


4 of 31 people found this review helpful

Beautiful crap

by on
Vehicle: 2004 Mazda RX-8 Automatic 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 4A)

This I feel is the most sexy looking car on the road BUT.....I put 3 starters in it in 2 years,the visors both split down the middle,various plastic parts broke without reason. I treat my cars like babies.Also,it's true....if you are only driving 2 blocks and shut the car off,it won't restart. Trust me....buy an eclipse instead.


56 of 66 people found this review helpful

Bad reviews given by clueless

by on
Vehicle: 2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

The rotary is an amazing engine but different from regular piston engines & should be treated w/ that in mind. Many of these bad reviews stem from individuals who havent researched or properly cared for it. There are a few minor issues & if you RESEARCH it you will easily find ways to avoid those- not to mention 10 yr/100k mi warranty on the engine core components is a nice bonus should it be necessary. A rotary engine needs time to warm up. Turning the engine off while its still cold will flood it. There are reviews of people complaining about this but you can easily avoid it by letting it run for a minute or 2 Thanks to researching the RX8 first, I've never had an issue.


Full 2004 Mazda RX-8 Review

What's New for 2004

The RX-8 is an all-new car for 2004. Its arrival marks the return of Mazda's rotary engine to the U.S. market. Priced less than Nissan's 350Z, the RX-8 also offers four doors and a usable backseat.

Talk About The 2004 RX-8

Read more about the 2004 Mazda RX-8

Gas Mileage

EPA-Rated MPG

  • 16
  • cty
/
  • 22
  • highway
Calculate Yearly Fuel Costs

Other RX-8 Years

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