Used 2005 Mazda RX-8 Coupe Consumer Reviews
Used RX-8 for sale
A fun car if you know how to drive it.
tw_direwolf, 05/05/2013
2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
I've had my 2005 RX8 Grand Touring for just over a year. The worst i've had to do put it in the shop for was because someone (previous owner) bypassed a fuse and shorted a brake light out. Have already been informed of some problems i currently have and know how to fix them. Even with the known problems the car still runs great, gets decent fuel economy ,16-21 mpg, and is extremely fun to drive. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Do plan on doing an RX7 FD Twin Turbo engine swap to it when i get to around 110k miles and rebuild its stock engine (miata's are fun with rotary engines too.)
A car for people who love cars
Rotaryphile, 12/28/2015
2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual Shinka Special Edition 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
This isn't my first rotary powered vehicle. I used to own an 86 first generation rx7 with a carbureted 12a 1.1 litter 2 rotor wankel. The car was an absolute blast. Minor maintenence kept the rotary alive well over 300k miles without any (I emphasize on ANY!!) internal engine work. Including the apex seals. I now drive an 05 shinka. Let me tell you. To say that I'm satisfied with the quality and reliability of my vehicle would be a complete understatement. It is simple to work on. Comfortable. My ac works fantastic at 115k miles. The car idles and pulls just fine. Burns oil just like it should. Never once has overheated on me. Never had to top off coolant. To say that the renesis wankel (what the engine is actually referred to) is put down so often only shows that rotary engines aren't exactly for everyone. Yeah my car has a few indicator lights on. I can't turn the dsc off without pulling the fuse, and it really tanks gas. But it's my money. I don't regret purchasing this car. Some advice. If your looking to buy one first off good luck finding a cheap one and second off drive the car for a long time and really get it hot before you purchase it. Kinda goes without saying.
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2005 Mazda RX-8 for sale near you
Showing 3 of 6 listings
- Manual CoupeMSRP: $9,995270 mi away
- Automatic CoupeMSRP: $7,992510 mi away
- Manual Shinka Special Edition CoupeMSRP: $9,995510 mi away
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Warranty ran out & 1 thing after another
FLLawyer, 07/14/2010
2005 Mazda RX-8 Automatic 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 4A)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
Bought the car because of looks and the zoom, zoom, zoom when I accelerated. Then the dealership made a recommended adjustment on one of my visits (due to a grinding/rattle noise on sudden accelerations from day one) and the responsiveness was never the same. Right after the 5 yr warranty ran out, the dealership in St. Pete announced that the vibration I was feeling was the engine mounts being kaput. This was a known problem they got a bulletin on. Never told me. They quoted $700 to fix. We bought Mazda mounts from a dealership on line and Midas installed-total cost $300. Soon thereafter the airbag light went on. It flashes or stays on permanently. So got to take it in again.
Mazda building another awesome machine
steven, 02/25/2016
2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Before I bought this car I read some reviews from other owners and forums all talking about how bad rotary engines are and my personal experience I just love them they are really fun really smooth and a 9,000 rpm redline with the RX8 suspension chassis and steering response around the corners is not a better car than this is just incredible how great of a job Mazda did with this car definitely a must have best car I ever owned
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2005 Mazda RX8 Shinka
JASHNKA05, 06/10/2005
2005 Mazda RX-8 Automatic Shinka Special Edition 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought my '05 Mazda RX8 Shinka April 11, 2005 after selling my 2001 SVT Mustang Cobra in March. The Shinka does not have enough torque like the Cobra did but holds the road substantially better than the Cobra. Its an all around fun car & I would recommend it to all age groups.
Experiment in Beauty
Stenn, 02/19/2006
2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual Shinka Special Edition 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
As much as I love my 6-speed Shinka, I'd have to admit it's more an academic exercise in engineering and beauty, a "proof-of-concept" of the rotary engine, than a practical 21st century car. In this age of drying-up oil supplies and soaring fuel-cost, the gas-mileage on this work of art will "kill" you. I'm getting 14MPG no matter how careful I am, while my old, heavy, automatic '95 Nissan Pathfinder regularly gets 17MPG, go figure! Just driving normally ends up with 14mpg. I've only seen one owner-review that says he accomplishes the advertised 24/18, and I'd REALLY like to know how!
Another love-hate relationship
Liz, 02/08/2010
2005 Mazda RX-8 Automatic 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
While I love the look and feel of my car I have had many difficulties with it. Mazda acknowledges the engine problems that the 2004/2005 RX 8's have and thus have extended the drive train warranty. However, my car has been in the shop more times that I can count. The check engine light is constantly on, even after my engine was replaced! Started with the typical stalling you see in these cars, and went downhill from there. Most recently my oil cooler line completely rusted out, which the mechanic states he has seen in multiple RX 8s. It's a fun car, but as the dealership has told me AFTER pushing me to purchase the car...it should be used as a sports car, not your every day car.
so sexy!!
wy, 04/07/2010
2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual Shinka Special Edition 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I just bought my car with barely 30000 miles and I love it!! I have always owned sports like cars but this one, hands down, takes the cake!! I was sketchy about buying a mazda because the last mazda i owned (a mx3) gave me alot of problems :( true this car may not be good for grocery shopping etc, but if you let her warm up and rev the engine before you kill it (not that hard rt??) she is a sexy lil thing to drive and I love her!!
Head Turner
rklan, 10/18/2006
2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I have never had a vehicle which gets so much attention. It dares to be different. It strikes up conversations with people who normally care less about cars. The engine runs incredibly smooth, I would rather listen to it than the radio! Incredibly quick and nimble, a great year round driver (even in Wisconsin winters). Plenty of room for back seat passengers, the trunk carries much more than you would expect.
P.O.S!!!!!
turtle21, 09/13/2011
2005 Mazda RX-8 Automatic 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 4A)
26 of 45 people found this review helpful
I had my car for 4 years and it is the worst car ever! I've had 3 engine replacements and 3 transmission replacements. The car has left me stranded numerous times and the brakes even go out on me. I've also had to replace my coils every 3 months. And once the warranty is up good luck trying to get the thing to run!! It overheats and shuts off when driving long distances. It looks nice but runs like crap I wish I never got this car. And now getting rid of it is even harder due to all the problems it has.