Used 2004 Mazda RX-8 Consumer Reviews
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Some people will never be happy. I am!
hornhighaces, 09/08/2005
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
41 of 42 people found this review helpful
I have no complaints from this vehicle. As a former RX-7 owner I knew what to expect from the rotary. The 8 is not the replacement for the 7. It is a sports car, but remains "civilized". I have had a single problem with the exhaust, which was covered under warranty. I expected a few issues being the first year of production and bringing the rotary back after 8-9 years. If you are whinny and do not like to pay attention to your vehicle, buy a Honda. This is a car for people who love cars, not for people who are easily inconvenienced. Check the oil, let it warm up, don't drive a rear wheel drive sports car in snow, 9k RPMs will use gas. Common sense stuff that seems to annoy people.
Best College Car/Roadtrip Car/ Daily Commute Car
Hariz Radzi, 10/09/2017
2004 Mazda RX-8 Automatic 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 4A)
38 of 39 people found this review helpful
Before you buy a used car, its your responsibility to check every single possible indicators that will say your car is a lemon. I'm the 6th owner of my rx8 with 132000 miles on it. And since day 1 I got it till today, it only went to the mechanic ONCE during my last roadtrip to Maine from Ohio because I forgot to change the ignition coils. After changing it for 30 minutes at the mechanic, I was back on my road to Maine. My car never got towed during my ownership ever before, even when the 2 coils were cracked that time it could still run (like not more than 30 mph of course) and I could still drive it to the workshop. Owning it was hard work (especially maintenance) but once you get to know what your rx8 needs, it will be easy. My routine every single time before I shut the engine off was redlining for couple of seconds and maintain it to 4k rpm, then shut it off just to preserve the engine from flooding. And because of this, my car is still running very well. The only problem I had with this car is the cost of maintenance. It burns a hole in my pocket so I had to learn DIYs to survive college. I saved almost $2000 on repairs and maintenance costs at the mechanic just from learning things online (changing ignition coils, plug wires, spark plugs, heater console problem, and even deflooding procedure) and I got it from rx8 forums and google. So if you're saying it is a bad car well you are wrong. Rotary could actually be reliable and last till 250k miles in my opinion. To those who had a lot of issues with it in my opinion are just either unlucky who got lemons OR are just a bunch of ignorants who treat rotary cars the same as other cars. Before you buy any used rx8, read up the rx8 forums they have a guide on buying used rx8s out there. It does have its pros and cons but I love my rx8. I traveled the whole east coast and southern parts with it and had no major issue other than the Maine trip. I just wish I could have manual version though. Pro tip of choosing an RX8: Choose a used rx8 with great maintenance record. And STOCK too. Never buy a car with check engine light on unless you know what are the codes are (I had CEL lights on when I first bought my rx8 but it was just telling me the secondary pump injector was faulty) so I knew it won't affect my engine so I bought it anyways.
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Fair review for the last Rotary
zero11534, 05/02/2012
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
39 of 41 people found this review helpful
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 ups. This is a good daily driver for hwy only commuters
True Drivers Car
zero11534, 04/06/2011
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
23 of 24 people found this review helpful
The Mazda RX8 is not a car for everyone as it has a 1.3L rotary motor in it. But if you are looking for a well balanced, excellent handling decent accelerating sports car then this is the one for you (although it's not a true SC since it's got 4dr). The best 0-60 I've done is 5.9sec launching at 5k and no roll out on Perli Zero's. The Renie motor more reliable then the 20B was, however do to no forced induction the motor losses a bit of tq and a few hp. But no need to worry as she makes up for it in the corners. This is a true lux sports car for a very well equipped price of 25k with heated seats 6spd man 6disc cd changer and many more options. Drive one just know the limits of the motor.
BAD REVIEWS GIVEN BY CLUELESS PEOPLE
rottenrotary, 12/29/2011
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
112 of 127 people found this review helpful
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.
2004 RX8 as a weekender.
themo2v8r, 10/30/2006
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
This is a great 2nd car. I do not recommend this as a daily though. Gas is fair (12-15mpg), room is A++ and fun factor is off the charts. The RX8 is a great car for attention and getting somewhere quickly, very quickly. To address some reviews that the car has no horsepower, keep in mind most of these people have autos. Also this car was meant to kick but after 4,000 RPMs. A Z will get you off the line, but you will catch up and pass! With a six speed you can 40 in first, 70 in second, 90 in 3rd (never went past 90 yet, I have a good driving record:). I don't recommend driving like that all the time, but if you need to get out of the way fast, you can.
You get what you put in!
Derek, 07/27/2016
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
While there are a lot of horror stories with these cars, the majority of those cases are people that do not realize how to care for their rotary. Rotaries are unlike traditional engines and must be treated that way through preventative maintenance and care (there are many forums which list ways to care for your car). Just letting it heat up before driving, revving it, and letting it cool down will lengthen the life of the engine by several thousand Km. That being said, like all mazdas there are rust issues that are unavoidable, and winter driving should be avoided given the tailhappiness of this car. Dealers for the most part are unhelpful and I would recommend to go to a rotary specialist if possible. I got my Rx-8 up to 235,000km by taking care of it, nothing too excessive (an extra 5-10 mins/day).
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Not for grandma's????
Lori Trainer, 10/25/2015
updated 04/27/2016
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
65 of 82 people found this review helpful
I have seen many posts by men. I'm assuming younger than me that have mentioned "this is not your grandma's car", or "not your girlfriend's car". Well, for all you men out there......... I am a 54 yr. Old grandma of seven. I own the rx 8, not my husband. I red-line it and drive it like it should be driven. My husband complains because I take corners fast. I lovr my car. It is the best handling car I've owned. It has had some issues. Having this car is worth it though. So quit being chauvinists when it comes to sports cars. I have even put some men in there place who wanted to take me on!
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Awesome new sports car!
Roland256, 04/13/2003
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
This car is one of the best sports cars I have ever driven in last 15 years of my driving experience. 2 days after I got the 8, I took it to the track, and got 0-60 time of 5.78 sec. and ran 1/4 mile at 14.2 seconds, which made me surprised since C&D said it's slower a bit. Comfort at back is better than most coupes. It's even better than some sedans. I've redlined it dozens of times now, and no problems with anything even though it's still brand new.
Mazda did it again
Gabe, 11/25/2006
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Wow, if only Mazda owned Ford and not the only way around. This is the 3rd Mazda in my family, and my 2nd sporty one (ex-Miata owner). Before you buy a RX-8, know what you're getting: a real sports car that is practical. Think NASCAR vs F-1, i.e. the RX-8 won't blow away a Mustang GT but in a twisty road you will leave it eating your dust. Four people can be comfortable in it, but the trunk is small with the spare. The rotary by design burns oil and needs to be warmed up, so be advised. Also the Renesis rotary engine uses gas like a V-6 so the comments here are true. I've had the car for almost a year in the warm FL weather and I still look forward to driving it, that's how fun it is.
Never lets you down.
Joe, 03/23/2021
updated 09/23/2021
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Have owned RX-3, R-4, and 2 RX-8s, never had to put an engine in one and over decades only once a stator went in the distributor in the1978 and need a tow. Never flooded one, neve nickeled and dimed by repairs. 2010 has 88k on it, runs like new. Just do your oil every 2500 to 3500 miles, top it off when down 16oz. Yes your fuel mileage will run from 16 mpg to 24 mpg. It doesn't need to be warmed up 15 minutes, you don't need to redline it every day, use a quality tier 1 gas to keep carbon down.
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Fast, Practical, and Dignified
daniel, 09/24/2010
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
I've owned BMW's Audi's, VWs and other exiting cars, and this is one of THE BEST. A coupe with all the practicalities of a sedan without the drawbacks. If you have passion for exciting cars, this is the right for You.
Never again
never again, 10/20/2009
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I, like others, purchased this car because of its sleek look. It started with problems with the engine which the dealership wanted to replace. Unfortunately Mazda, the corporation ,decided it was my fault that the engine was faulty and declined all repairs. Even though, I have had all maintenance repairs(oil change, tune ups, etc) done at the mazda service center ever since I purchased the vehicle. The sad part is that the car is still under warranty and they would not honor the warranty. I even got a call from thier rep. who told me they would not honor the warranty. When asked if he could put this in writing he declined. To anyone who is thinking about buying this car..One word..DON'T.
For anyone who has one
Jbern, 02/19/2010
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The rotary engines are not made for light footed people. Your engines break down because there is not enough tension on the engine. I needs to be pushed, not pulled. Press the gas more and you'll be saving hella money on repairs, though not in gas, but it makes up for it. Beats replacing the engine twice a year. Bottom line, this car isn't just made to look cool, its also meant to be driven hard.
Worst car ever
Seriouscoin, 01/07/2010
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
Not a fan! The only thing I liked was the look, and getting on the gas around 5k RPM. Tons of problems later!!
BAD NEWS DO NOT BUY
Sarah, 09/17/2008
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
Bought this gorgeous car new. At 20,000 miles it had been in the shop over 30x. At 30,000 miles and a new engine later they still could not resolve the problems going on with it. Yes it is a beautiful car and until this day I still think that there isn't another car looks as sharp but unless you don't care to pay out big bucks and never drive it I wouldn't recommend it. I do drive my cars I buy them to drive them not keep in the garage but I would still think at 30,000 miles a car should still have a lot of good usage left. Needless to say 20 grand in the whole I had to get rid of it because I need a dependable car.
Don't buy an rx8 Mazda will not help you
Lou, 11/11/2010
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
10 of 16 people found this review helpful
Hello I purchased an 04 rx8 in April 2010 I have 135,000 miles on it now worst investment ever. There are recalls after recalls and if the car has more than 100,000 miles Mazda could care less unlike Toyota who fix their mistakes Mazda won't. Let's start with the airbag recall $1200 to fix Mazda won't fix it for me bad harness, crack in clutch pedal $600 Mazda won't fix it, lower ball joint I replaced roughly $50 Mazda wouldn't. All of these items are recalls. Also lousy fuel to power ratio and extremely high maintenance and cost. Go to a search bar and type Mazda rx8 complaints and recalls pages and pages will come up.
WOW! Mmmm...
scooterluv1, 07/03/2015
2004 Mazda RX-8 Automatic 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 4A)
12 of 21 people found this review helpful
I've owned 4 RX-7s (2nd/3rd generations) and loved them all! So I decided to give the 2004 RX-8 a try; big mistake... Love the look/speed/dynamics of the car, but the reliability was awful! It should never be someone's primary source of transportation.
BoomBoom not ZoomZoom
Shabam, 03/06/2008
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I loved my RX8 when I bought it. 2 weeks after purchase I had to replace the purge valve. 1 month later replaced the ignition coils and wires. 1 week later check engine light came on. Had to replace the engine. Recall for oil dipstick allowing water in oil. Guess what, I've got water and metal shavings in my oil. I see engine #2 coming up. All this in only 6 months! Extended warranty highly recommended for this vehicle. Love driving it when it runs! This is not the Mazda for me.
Uses Oil
Tanya, 05/18/2005
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Our vehicle uses 1 quart of oil every 600 miles - ridiculous! The oil is only supposed to be changed every 5000 miles, but it is frequently changing itself. Mazda Corp's selling practice are very deceptive. If anyone knew how much oil this car burned no one would ever buy it. And, to boot it gets 15 mpg! This is worse than my truck!
Fun to drive
riqqie, 11/02/2012
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
27 of 54 people found this review helpful
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.
How to Make A Rotary Last, and Last, and Last!
Gary Itano, 11/20/2015
2004 Mazda RX-8 Automatic 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 4A)
7 of 14 people found this review helpful
My '04 RX-8 (after 5 RX-7s, since '84) just turned 143K original miles with the last 60+K as track-only, since being replaced in '06 with a Prius daily driver. So, rotary reliability is entirely dependent on NEVER bogging the engine (detonation breaks the rotor seals in an instant) and routinely redlining the motor to minimize carbon build-up. Other than routine maintenance and strictly maintaining fluid levels, that's all one needs to know about keeping a rotary healthy. Looking forward to seeing a 1.6L with improved torque and direct injection for better mileage and emissions. Btw, be sure to look up the maintenance sheet that guarantees FREE LIFETIME REPLACEMENT BRAKE PADS (at least for the 1st gen RX-8s), as the pads last for about 4-6 track days (front brake rotors lasted to 130K after 40K of extreme "use"). It turns out that the RX-8 brake rotor/pad chemistries are ideally engineered for optimum braking, fade resistance and durability, so no need to seek after-market solutions. Oh, and be sure, if at the track, to turn DSC off, to gain another 5+% better braking and 3% acceleration (absolute necessity when entering Laguna Seca turns 2 & 11 or Auto Club Roval turn 3!).
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Ugh, this stupid car!
Hannah, 12/23/2005
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
Ok, I'm 16; got this car for my birthday, have guarded it with my life and taken excellent care of it. But no matter what it always stops running -- has been towed twice because it quit in my drive way. So many recalls it's not even funny, airbags went bad, along with its computer. Oh and it rattles so bad. Its currently for sale because I want a vehicle that will start anytime.
DO NOT BUY REPLACED 2 ENGINES
Jessie, 07/29/2009
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
This is th absolute worst car I think of all time. I bought this car brand new in 04 and it has been nothing but problems. I have replaced 2 engines and that is just the beginning, everytime I turn around something is wrong with it and it cost a pretty penny to fix everything. This car makes awful rattleing noises, it breaks down on me while driving on the road about once a week, whick is very dangerous in traffic. The dealership has been absolutely no help and often have to argue with them. The problems are never ending! It pretty to the eye and thats bout as far as it goes.
Rotary Engine-MAJOR PROBLEMS
raya4, 12/19/2014
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
13 of 29 people found this review helpful
I bought the car on a whim because of how much fun it was to drive without doing much research. After buying the car almost EVERY mechanic I knew told me that I made a terrible choice. These rotary engines in these cars suck. My engine blew at 80k miles and mine lasted longer than most. Buying this car was a waste of money.
Run Far Far Away...
gregtheowner, 09/27/2012
2004 Mazda RX-8 Automatic 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 4A)
26 of 61 people found this review helpful
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
Complete garbage
efwilson4, 07/16/2010
2004 Mazda RX-8 Automatic 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 4A)
5 of 11 people found this review helpful
I bought this car and saw where Mazda of North America warrantied the engine until 100,000. Well they lied. Mazda admitted to utilizing a loop hole to deny engine replacement. This car is garbage and Mazda will do anything but stand behind it. They charged me $1,100 dollars to replace coils, wires, plugs, decarbon the engine before saying I needed a new engine. The car runs worse than when I took it in. This my 4th rotary car and my last. I recommend something else. DO NOT BUY! Just search warm start or low compression.
Amazingly Expensive
themare, 02/17/2012
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
29 of 75 people found this review helpful
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.
zoom zoom
martha phillips, 08/12/2006
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have enjoyed every aspect of this car except the gas mileage. I bought the first model year, 2004, and it's been perfect so far. No engine troubles, no performance issues. And the only interior issue is a little squeak the sun roof makes when it's tilted open. Open it all the way and no noise. As promised, this car has been both practical and fun. I'm thrilled. I drove it about 900 miles on a road trip from San Francisco to Seattle and it was surprisingly comfortable for the long haul. One other interior issue is the heat. They could stand better heat insulation around the drive train as the inside of the car gets quite hot and is tough to cool down, even with the AC blasting.
Nice car but...............
rx8notgood, 07/13/2005
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Lovely to look at. Lovely to drive in cool weather (automatic). Had to put sandbags in the trunk to make to drive in a straight line in 1 inch of snow. Lots of rattles (eventually gave up bringing it back to get them fixed....). In very hot weather (80 F +), performance becomes very poor in traffic - often have to switch off AC and fan to get it to take off from lights. Heat for feet in cold weather very poor. I used to love this car, now looking foward to the end of the lease.
No resale value
bob'sbob, 10/09/2004
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The value of this car has dropped like a rock. Not just the normal depreciation of a new car. Don't buy if you ever think you might have to sell...
Fun vehicle
ED STRINGER, 03/23/2005
2004 Mazda RX-8 Automatic 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This vehicle was purchased as a "just for fun" vehicle for me and my wife. I was an owner of the old rx-7 back in the late 70's early 80's. This car is all you would want from a "fun car." It is not an economical car. It requires high octane gas, regular oil checks, and expensive tires. It drives and handles just as you would expect a sports car to drive and handle. It has a six speed transmission that adds fun and power to the rotary engine. This is a wonderful vehicle.
Most fun for the money
Gheist, 08/21/2004
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Most fun car I've ever owned. Comment from my friend: "I haven't had such good handling since riding in an NSX." Not too punishing in daily driving, and handles like a dream. Accelerates decently when pushed, but I didn't buy it to be a stoplight racer. The front drink holders are in a somewhat awkward location where drinks can be bumped while shifting. The handbrake could be smaller and less pronounced. Minor fit and finish detail flaws which the dealer has already promised to fix.
Awesome car
RX8=Awesome, 10/22/2009
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought my '04 RX8 in Feb of 2009 with 33k miles on it. It's now almost Nov 2009 with 41k on it. This car has been absolutely amazing (despite gas mileage). The rotary engine is a very high maintenance though, I was told by a Rotary Specialist, to let my car warm up to where it is idling at 1k rpm, and let it idle for 15-30 seconds before shutting it off (of course never shut the car off when its cold), and I have not had one single issue. The handling is great, I got a K&N short ram cold air intake which makes the biggest difference, so much louder then stock, you would be surprised. Got an extended warranty til 2014 (highly recommend that). This car is great if you maintain it properly.
One Excellent Car!
sevenkevin, 11/08/2003
2004 Mazda RX-8 Automatic 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Great futuretro styling makes it uniquely beautiful to look at from every angle, both inside and out! Quality fit and finish, and of course top notch rotary performance make this one stand out from the rest! She closely resembles a magnificent thoroughbred. Maybe a little hesitant out of the starting gate, she makes up for it in the stretch with smooth linear acceleration. On the road handling inspires confidence with quickness and agility. For unqualified driving enjoyment, elegance, agility, and styling there is very little competition at this price! Comfort for my 6' frame is very nicely accomodated in the front, and relatively adequate in the back.
almost 100 out of 100
bergs, 03/17/2004
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Drives great and handles exceptionally well. The car moves when you move, great spring/summer/fall car. Down fall is the 0-60 speed, esp when compared to previous RX-7s. Can't wait for the Mazdaspeed version!
Runs like Crap
PureCarnage, 04/01/2009
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is the worst car I have ever owned. I tell everyone I meet who admire its looks- all show, no go. It has been in the shop so many times I can't count. The last straw being the dealership waiting for the warranty to expire and then telling me I need a new engine. Something I told them for 2 years prior. No power, even as new. Bad tranny to engine hook-up, makes a horrible noise if you stomp on it. Rattles coming from everywhere. I see numerous defects that are common for all owners and no recalls for them. You have to complain for service. Never buy a Mazda again.
Jury's Still Out
RX-8gr8!, 03/24/2004
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I love my RX-8 -- after 30 yrs of kid- hauling minivans and station wagons, it's pure joy. Two concerns -- recalls and using oil. Two recall notices already -- of course it's a new vehicle and the dealer handled the problem quickly. The other concern I have is that the car seems to use oil. The dealer is documenting this problem in case we have to make some kind of claim ... on two road trips, the "check engine" light came on, and the oil was slightly low. This is a big concern to me, and one that I haven't seen addressed anywhere else. I love the car, but I want it to be solid for the long haul, so I'm going to wait and see.
Lemon
Ricky G, 02/17/2004
2004 Mazda RX-8 Automatic 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have 1500 miles on the car, and already it is a nightmare. The problem is, there is foam in the oil. I took it back at 1K. Dealership/manufacturer didn't have a clue. They changed the oil. At1.4K, the foam was back. Also, the engine shut down on me prior to this. The oil light stays on constantly. The dealership/manufacturer don't know how to repair it, so they've asked me to drive it till they figure it out. And, of course, keep making payments till it breaks down completely.
rx8 has superior handling /transmission
linda bednarski , 01/15/2004
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Felt the rx-8 handling and transmission were superb. the only car I have ever been in that handled the curves as good as the rx-8 was a (race car) triumph 25 years ago. Nothing beats it on the curves and the brakes are extremely good too. Thought it handled much better than the z350, g35 sport coup, and saleen s281 mustang.
Best Car I Ever Had!
Rotaryboi4ever, 11/05/2009
2004 Mazda RX-8 Automatic 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought my RX-8 this past July and I really love it! Being a mechanic, I think that the rotary is way more reliable than a piston engine. The gas mileage kinda hurts, but it's worth it to me. Only problem I had with it was the A/C amplifier going bad, but it was an easy fix. Out of all the cars I have owned, this is the best one ever! The 8 is definitely my favorite one to drive, and I always admire other ones I see on the road.
not recomended
grrrrrrr, 05/23/2009
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Bought the car two years ago, was great the first year, because I was 19 and all the looks it got. Now i'm 21 and I am getting very tired of it stalling in 80+ degree weather, and taking over a minute to start the car in the cold (under 30 or so degrees). It is a great looking car, but the pros don't outweigh the cons by any means. I have yet to get over 22 mpg (and have only got that once). I average around 18 or 19 mpg. I bought this car because its the only 4 door sports car, but I am very regretful of my decision. It has lost more than half its value in 2 years. I have no control in the winter and dread waking up and seeing it snowing.
Long-time driver review
cfmillette, 12/01/2007
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I am an original owner with now about 29,500 miles on the 2004. Bought with a MazdaSpeed extra stiffening suspension set-up in 2004. I love the car and drive it hard. Its cornering capability for the price can only be matched by a Honda 2000. However, the RX-8 rides SO much easier on your backside that this comparison becomes moot. Do not worry about the "need" for constant oil level monitoring. Just put in a quart every so often. I have had no problems here. Yes - some minor recalls - but everything handled VERY efficiently by local dealership. Gas mileage is not great, but this comes with the territory I think. Cannot beat a 350Z off the line, but get into the mid-range RPMs!
RX8, cute but unreliable. Don't buy!
Diana, 01/17/2007
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The RX-8 is a gas guzzler, the brakes squeal, it's temperamental, if you turn if off without letting it run long enough it may flood itself after which you will have to have it towed to the dealership. It burns oil fast and sometimes it doesnt start the first time you turn the ignition. There were problems with the oil pan, panels popping up, the under carriage fell down; the solenoid even died causing me to lose power steering on Highway 95. Just bring it in again if you have any more problems is what they continue to say. My response is that I shouldn't have to keep taking off from work to take in a new car. The car is unreliable and is not worth the time and expense!
A whole lot of fun.
charliedog, 04/28/2004
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
You cant go anywhere without someone approaching you and asking about the car. I feel like a salesman for Mazda. While passing everyone on the hiway people try to catch you to see what kind of car just blew there doors off. Somtimes you let them catch you, especially if its a cute girl.
Nice Car But......
GameOver, 02/01/2004
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Went to a Local Dealership Over the Weekend and there are a Few Things that Must be Made Clear!1st DO NOT Buy the Automatic!You DO NOT Get 238HP You get about 176HP,You Do Not Get the 9,000 RedLine You get about 7,500,You Do Not Get the Stiffer Suspension Pkg.,This car was NOT Created to Be an Automatic!I Agree w/Mazda for Doing This,what I Disagree with is this Should be Made Known Instead of Looking in the Fine Print!!The Milage is Absolutley Horrible for This Car!To make a Long Story Short I Love the Car and if I was Going to Buy I would Get the 6Speed Version,but for Now I Think I'll Keep My Vette as it is Much Faster and I Get Better Milage to Boot!!!
DontDoAnRX8
UnhappyRX8Owner, 08/16/2005
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I owned an RX-7 and loved it. I thought the RX-8 would be comparable but was wrong. The car has been towed 5 times in the last six months, the battery has been replaced and Mazda said "the batteries installed initially were not strong enough for the car" The car floods and need to sit for "days" before it's operable again. If you live in the north east or anywhere it snows, you can kiss you Mazda 8 goodbye until spring, if there's a slight dusting of snow I can't get it out of the driveway. The only silver lining here (if it is really, is that I lease the car and I get to dump it back in Mazda's lap where it belongs.
Weak Attempt
btucker22, 11/06/2003
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I purchased an RX-8 fully anticipating a real sports car. little did i know that not to long after i took delivery, my car lost horsepower, what was once quoted as a 5.9 0-60 car is now a 7.2 0- 60 as tested by mazdaspeed. Very dissapointed.
Dragon-Slaying Machine!
Killerking, 10/29/2003
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have taken the car on "the dragon" aka Deal's Gap (www.tailofthedragon.com) and had 2 strangers making movies of me! Thia car handles like a bullet on rails! The dragon has 318 curves in 11 miles ao believe me, I KNOW how these cars handle! Also, the attention you get driving this car is unbeleiveable.....Not too many people wanna run you in this car, they know better, esp. around corners. Mazda issued a service repair order to replace the oil pan, so my dealer did it and all is well now. If you want a true high-revving sports car, then look no further........get an RX-8.
The Lil'Car that Could thats Not so Lil'
ThaiXcel, 02/07/2007
2004 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I love this car! It might not be the fastest of the bunch, but if I wanted a fast car I would buy an ugly overrated Mustang that's all engine and nothing else. The response of the car, especially in turning is unbelievable, and the smooth performance of the unique Renesis rotary engine is like no other. You feel like you're in a jet. This car might not be for racing, but it's definitely for Driving. The manual tranny is flawless and it takes turns like no other. After coming out of turns you almost want to apologize to the car for not taking the turn faster. Its styling speaks for itself and its interior quality is better than most, especially better than that fast, but poorly built Mustang.