2005 Mazda RX-8 Consumer Reviews

I love my Rx-8

Written by: I love mazda R's on 04/28/2009

Vehicle

2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual Shinka Special Edition 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

Review

I love this car!!! I have wanted one since they came out (when I was 11) because my grandma had a yellow Rx-7 when I was little, and I missed it. It drives great, though loud, I love that. You have to use the best quality EVERYTHING!!! I cant stress that more. I live in the hills and it is fun to drive on the curves. I just bought it a month ago as my first car...LOL :)

Favorite Features

-Engine loudness -Fun to drive -The looks

Suggested Improvements

-fuel economy

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Original Owner for 3 years

Written by: SpookiusMortem on 04/10/2009

Vehicle

2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

Review

I purchased this vehicle new 3 years ago this month. This is the only car I have ever owned where after 3 years of ownership, I still have that new car excitement about it. I doubt I will ever part with this car and hope it will become a classic. I live in an urban environment and get a good mix of metropolitan and highway driving. Driving an RX-8 in the city is a blast. Its nimbleness and cornering ability make it capable of getting places fast. My favorite thing about driving this car is being able to fly around a corner, and if you feel is start to slip, goosing the throttle a little and feel it grip through the turn as if it were on rails.

Favorite Features

Interior. 50-50 weight distribution. Suicide doors. No center pillar between front and rear door. Did I mention the interior? Lots of trunk space (though the opening is small). Handling! Cornering! Very forgiving at its limits. Oh, and before I forget...the interior :)

Suggested Improvements

Better quality paint job needed. It chips super easily. Same goes for the windshield, it's already so pitted I am considering replacing it. But those to items are the ONLY quality problems I have had with this car. More torque please!

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Very Pleased

Written by: ditto13041 on 03/16/2009

Vehicle

2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

Review

Just bought used 2005 with 26K miles. Had to immediately replace tires with snow tires (no problem ....am driving it in winter in midwest...$1000 for tires but should last 4-6 winter seaons). Alternator went out but warranty still good! (0 cost to me). Fuel economy is about 19 MPH combined Hwy, City. Rear quater view is restricted but acceptable. This car rocks! Fun to drive...you have the option of automatic, or you can still manually shift it (no clutch!) which I like to do about half the time. Roomy and comfortable interior (I'm 6'2" and still plenty of room). Mirror has garage door opener built in. Overall I really like this car...sports car with a backseat!

Favorite Features

Can auto or manually shift. Performance (except for acceleration) exceptional

Suggested Improvements

More low end torque for acceleration

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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An Amazing Compromise

Written by: GTRacer on 01/22/2009

Vehicle

2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

Review

After 15+ years in front-wheel drive slushbox-equipped cars, I told my wife my next car would be RWD with manual transmission. She said fine, as long as it had four seats so I could continue to take the kids to school. I knew going in that the car was light on torque and thirsty for fuel. I didn't really mind because I was looking for a driver's car, not an econobox or quarter-mile dueler. The car is amazing to drive and I have yet to find its limits. I replaced the tires with BFG gForce KDWs so, with the amazing suspension I suspect the limits are high indeed. Launched properly it can go well enough but it really likes to turn and stop too. Comfort and accommodations are good too.

Favorite Features

Handling, driver's seat comfort. Wonderful note when revved hard at WOT. Spooky brakes and suspension that defy all expectations. Appearance. Ability to move four people. The smile I get from Zoom-Zoom

Suggested Improvements

HP is fine but more torque please - with three passengers launches are noticeably boggier. The A/C button should be the sole control of the compressor! Button off, comp off! Fix taillight seals. Faster warmups would be nice (Car is in FL but still takes 5+ minutes to reach normal temp).

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great 3rd Car

Written by: MI-Mazda on 11/22/2008

Vehicle

2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

Review

I loved this car for the first six months. The handling is phenomenal. Convinced my wife that it was practical for our family b/c it was a 4 door. However, this car is undriveable in winter, and thus, remains parked for nearly 4 months of the year here in Michigan. If I could, I would keep it as a third car to drive for fun. It just isn't practical for me as a daily driver.

Favorite Features

Cockpit feel to the interior. I actually got my pilot's certificate after getting this vehicle b/c it got me thinking how much faster I could go & I quit getting sweaty palms no matter how fast I took it into corners.

Suggested Improvements

The dipstick location is idiotic considering how frequently you are supposed to check the level.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Rotary car doesn't fade

Written by: Andy on 11/16/2008

Vehicle

2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

Review

There is a tendency to do errands in zig-zag back and forth across town style. It is very difficult to go home after completing the errands. It is difficult to do the actual errand, because you don't want to get out of the car to go in anywhere. I plan out huge, inefficient road trips on computer trip software. I'm fond of poking along routes that skulk through the corridors between the major interstates. 18 hours at a pop sometimes. Always sticking to posted speeds because I'm in "local territory", unshielded by the usual pack of rabbit-chasers and "what I can get away with" cruisers. Bottom line? There's no end in sight with driving this car at this point.

Favorite Features

Car's balance, longer lasting tires (from 200 less pounds), visibility in all directions, variations in gearbox spacing which correspond to wind resistance. No auto headlights. no seat belt beeper.

Suggested Improvements

None. More rpm maybe. If that could be done, the same torque up to 9000 rpm, and then an "extra torque range" from 9000 to some stratospheric number that would be fine with me. Consistent to what's there, only more. It would involve a supercharger I think. A spinning sound above 10,000 RPM.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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2005 Grand Touring Automatic

Written by: kifs on 08/29/2008

Vehicle

2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

Review

I sort of inherited this car with 2800 miles on it from a former Ford exec and I have the automatic with paddle shifters. The car is a hoot to drive fast and the only trouble I have had was a trim issue in the interior and the spring in the filler door. My car runs great, gets 16-18 mpg in town and 20 mpg on the road, with about 1000 mi per quart of oil. It's tight as a drum but only has 16000 miles since this is my second car and I only drive it from Apr-Nov. My dealer experience was underwhelming on the engine recall - what a bunch of clods - but so far just maintenance and cleaning. I keep waiting for the problems, but I really like the car.

Favorite Features

Overall appearance, front seat comfort, sound system.

Suggested Improvements

Cup holder, interior storage, dipstick and oil filter location, exhaust heat permeating the console and trunk floor, provide hook for gas cap dangle, ditch the monster key fob and make car compatible to remote start system(s), add compass without nav.

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Still a treat to drive after 3 years!

Written by: dna on 08/06/2008

Vehicle

2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

Review

I don't know of a better handling sports car for less than 5 times the price. The ride is firm, but comfortable. I am blown away with how comfortable a long distance cruiser the RX-8 is. I get 20 mpg combined city/hwy with spirited, but legal, driving. The rotary engine responds well to some pampering. I use 4 oz synthetic 2-cycle oil and 4 oz Lucas Upper Cylinder Lube in every 10 gallons of gas. That's probably why my mileage is better than most. Even a mechanic at the dealer commented that it was the smoothest running RX- 8 he had ever heard. The off-the-line grunt is weak, but once you get the revs up to 5000 rpm it is a winner. Drive the rotary right (high rpm) and you will be thrilled!

Favorite Features

Handling, ride, styling inside and out)

Suggested Improvements

Better OEM tires -- the car rides 100% better with Avon M550 A/S; taller 6th gear for better hwy cruising mpg.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great value, great fun

Written by: Bob on 08/01/2008

Vehicle

2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

Review

I bought this car used 15 months ago. For the money, it's hard to imagine a car that offers the combination of spirited driving, mechanical quality, and inspired style. I also see no more than two RX-8s per month driving in the Chicago area. It's sweet to drive a rarely-seen car among all the bland brands. The car has a cool factor that usually comes with cars twice the sticker price. The only negatives? The paint chips easily and the gas mileage stinks. I knew that going in, though.

Favorite Features

Styling, value, high rev rotary, the smile on my face every time I approach.

Suggested Improvements

A little better gas mileage.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Exciting Machine

Written by: Chris on 07/18/2008

Vehicle

2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

Review

I bought my car as a left over model so it was still brand new but with a nice discount. That and the style were initially my main reasons for purchasing the car. I would say I'm glad the pieces came together the way they did. I have owned 20 cars and 1 motorcycle and I'm only 30, and this vehicle is one of the most fun I have driven. One downfall was it didn't start out as fast as I would have liked but with a few minor upgrades the motor woke up a lot and it is now as fast as a 2008 Mustang GT 5 speed but handles 10 times better. Tests have been done with a stock RX-8 vs a 350z which is a faster car, the RX-8 matched the 350z's track time because the handling was superb to the quicker car.

Favorite Features

The high revving motor and 6 speed transmission, rear wheel drive, sexy style that woman love, very tight responsive steering, and of course the comfortable ride while still having excellent handling.

Suggested Improvements

A turbo of course, even if just with a mild 5 psi of boost.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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