2006 Mazda RX-8 Consumer Reviews

RX-8 Delivers Maximum Smiles per Mile!!!

Written by: Froggy RX-8 on 10/31/2009

Vehicle

2006 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

Review

Test drove RX-8, fell in love at 9,000 rpm redline, bought on spot. Screams like a 4-seat F-1 car. This canyon carver runs down M-3s, 911s, and occasional Lambo on CA P.C.H. Hwy 1. Driven 36,000 miles so far, very reliable, comfy seats, compliant ride, good Bose stereo. Not lazy to drive like Chevy V-8. You MUST adapt your driving style to get max speed. Keep it from 5,000 to 9,000 rpm and rotary happily howls. Tiny low weight engine allows for mounting low and rearward in chassis for near mid-engine balance, low center of gravity. Rotary uses oil to lube its seals so top off oil at about five gas fill- ups. 17-20 MPG fine for fast car. If you need big mpg skip all sports cars.

Favorite Features

Performance, perfect trade-off between awesome handling and comfortable ride. Great value for the money! Fast but has good back seat, decent size trunk, can serve as a fun, reasonably practical family car. Not common around town. Screams like F-1 Race Car all the way to 9,000 R.P.M. Redline

Suggested Improvements

Gas tank tiny at 14.5 gallons. How about special light weight turbo charged performance edition with track suspension option, carbon breaks, no back seat? Better training for dealers as some dealers not familiar with car. Check out dealer service dept before buy, be quick to find different dealer

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Two kinds of RX8 owners

Written by: Apexman on 02/02/2009

Vehicle

2006 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

Review

I have an '06 RX8 with the six-speed manual. I wouldn't even consider the automatic because it's down on power (212hp for '06/197hp on '04 and '05 models- pathetic considering the manual has 238hp and redlines 1500rpm higher). Basic things to know before buying: rotaries consume more oil (check often) and gas than similar-sized piston engines. Standing-start acceleration is underwhelming but from 30mph and up, watch out! Rotaries need to be revved above 5000rpm to get the best performance. Run the car for at least 5mins to avoid flooding the engine. Handling on this car is phenomenal, a renowned Mazda trait. Car is not designed for snow/ice so don't bother driving in it.

Favorite Features

Best handling car in this price range. mooth six-speed manual. Communicative steering. Nice two-tone leather seats. Can easily put hi-end sports cars, to shame in the twisties, but don't expect to win stop-light drag races. Fun, fun, fun!

Suggested Improvements

Would like a 2-seater version like the gen3 RX7 was (I owned two), with either turbo-charging or a three rotor engine. It needs more torque (gen3 RX7's had 255hp/217lbs torque). Not a car for those who've never lifted a hood: Buy a Honda instead. Serious, competent drivers only :)

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Quiet Kicks

Written by: Fun at the Wheel on 01/12/2009

Vehicle

2006 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

Review

I have owned a sports car of one type or another for the last 25 years. The RX-8 rocks. I have had mine to 155 mph and it feels like it's glued to the road. It's humorous for the Toyota dudes and the Mercedes sweeties to challenge it. The only thing that comes close is a Mustang GT until you get into the first turn. Then you will see them in the rear view. The Porsche, BMW sports models are plusher but more sluggish in the turns. The Hondas are not in the same league and Nissan Zs. The car can handle a turn like no other. Some complaints regarding the car are the gas mileage (find another car that gets good gas mileage and can go 175+.) For under 30k new you can't beat it.

Favorite Features

Handling, forget zero to 60, how about 20-140. How often do you end up beside a Corvette or Ferrari at a stop light? The handling and quiet engine. The four seats are perfect if you aren't carrying the basketball team around. The back seats can handle guys but they are perfect for ladies.

Suggested Improvements

Need to give Mazda owners free upgrades for the GPS systems. Upgrade is ridiculously high.

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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not bad, if you can spend the money

Written by: chris on 06/13/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

Review

First off this car is a blast to drive. Handles very well. I average around 18 mpg in mine and it is on premium fuel. I personally haven't had any reliability issues, but I go easy on the rotary. Plenty of aftermarket parts available for it and turns heads everywhere. Overall a great car if you're willing to spend a little more on gas and maintanance.

Favorite Features

Seats, handling, style and prestige

Suggested Improvements

More power, better fuel economy, more reliable

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Mazda RX8 AT GT

Written by: Rotary Owner on 05/25/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mazda RX-8 Automatic 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6A)

Review

Beautiful car, fun to drive, but not quite there yet. I waited until 2006 to get mine so Mazda could work out the kinks of a new design, but I had many of the same problems found in the 04s. If you buy, buy used after seeing a report of repairs - some cars are great, some cars are bad, there doesn't seem to be an in-between. Buy a used one with 30K - 40K miles and that didn't have its engine replaced and you should be happy. And above all else, don't buy a 6-speed AT - the transmission won't let the car rev high enough to burn out the carbon build out. I love rotaries, but they should be MT, so I'm selling this one and keeping to my '79 RX-7 for my rotary fun (still running).

Favorite Features

Exterior design, fun factor.

Suggested Improvements

Automatic transmission, engine mounts, brakes, tires.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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The RX8 Rocks

Written by: MaryAnn Allison on 05/09/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mazda RX-8 Automatic 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6A)

Review

I've had my RX8 for almost 2 years. It is both automatic and manual. It looks great and handles like a dream. Looks like a sophisticated sports car and has a back seat. I've never had anything malfunction so far. The gas mileage is poor but it is worth it. 100% satisfied

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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I love this car

Written by: Opus37 on 04/11/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

Review

I purchased an RX8 after driving a lot of similar sports cars. This one just feels right. The rotory engine sounds wonderful and has plenty of power. This handles like a dream even at over 150 mph. (it goes faster than that). I smile every time I'm driving it. I can get up to 25 mpg on the road or down to 16 mpg if I drive agressively. The ride is a little softer than other sports cars but that does not affect handling. It improves the ride.

Favorite Features

Handling, rotory engine. Red and black leather interior. The door system that allows easy access to rear seat.

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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not in the snow

Written by: iowa mike on 03/22/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

Review

Loved the car except I live in Iowa and the car should not and in some cases cannot be driven in the snow. Had problems getting up even the smallest grade when streets were the least slick. Tires are very sticky and that added to handling, but the down side is they only last about 10K miles. Overall loved the car (my third rx) but it had some problems that were too much for me to handle in the winter. Anywhere without snow, this vehicle kicks. Wish they offered a convertible.

Favorite Features

Looks, ability to get reasonable insurance due to the back seat, the way it is put together is great.

Suggested Improvements

Convertible, maybe different tires for those of us with snow, and either make it a real quick acceleration or improve the gas mileage. Could like with either.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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More Power, Please

Written by: Bobby on 01/28/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)

Review

Ive had the car now for 2 months, and ive noticed some rattles and loose body parts on the interior of the vehicle. I enjoy driving the car alot, but as much as i enjoy driving this car the gas mileage is very poor. The power is there if your not a lazy driver. I noticed that you have to keep it above 4000 Rpm for the real power to kick in, the power kicks in 2 stages. 1st at 5000 Rpm and at 7500 Rpm....

Favorite Features

The red and black interior. The 9500 RPM red line. The keyless entry

Suggested Improvements

More power.. More torque. Dont like it when the dealer tells me its normal when theres a problem with the car.

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Tires

Written by: Joyce on 12/20/2007

Vehicle

2006 Mazda RX-8 Automatic 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6A)

Review

I really love this car. It is so fun to drive and really turns heads, but I can't keep tires on it. Bought in July 06 I now have 13K on it & on 3rd set of tires. Dealer can't help me, Mazda can't help me. I cant afford to put tires on this car every 4 to 7K miles.I do not spin them or drive recklessly. I am going to have to sell it. I am just sick over it, I love everything about the car, but at $500/2 tires I dont know what else to do. The dealership doesnt know if this is the expected life for tires on this car or not?? I bought this car for my 40th B.d. I'm really going to miss it. If this problem is just with my car I wish they'd fix it for me!

Favorite Features

Curvy, sassy body style, the red is so beautiful, handles great, cool dash lights

Suggested Improvements

Better gas mileage, I really miss having onstar, I need to get at least 25k out of a set of $500 tires. Sun visors are cheap, Mazda dealership is very unhelpful. They treat me like I am stupid. Mazda Corp. even worse, waste of time calling them.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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