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Used 2005 Mazda RX-8 Coupe Consumer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
185 reviews

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4.5 out of 5 stars

My Car

Moo, 02/25/2005
2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I love my car. Even though it gets 18 miles to the gallon, which would be its only con. This car is the perfect car to do anything in: going on road trips, beach, etc.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Great value, great fun

Bob, 08/01/2008
2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

rx8 review

tbird, 12/03/2004
2005 Mazda RX-8 Automatic 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great car, fun to drive. Never owned a rotary engine. Been impressed

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4 out of 5 stars

Crossing my fingers

Crossing Fingers, 09/20/2009
2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

An answer to my mid-life crisis, I was coerced into buying the lil red sedoupe (sedan,coupe) rather than a used luxury sedan. 47, no wife, no kids: it seemed to make sense, I've owned nothing but SUVs/Mini Vans since the disco era. The first thing i noticed was the ride noise from the standard 17'inch tires. Also, the rear light housing was fogged up/filled with inner perspiration. Both items served as bargaining chips & I managed to walk out with it for a mere $11K. With only 37K miles, I was happy. Getting in/out is a challenge with my 275lb frame, but the car's an excellent incentive to lose weight and I've got nothing but compliments from friends/co-workers. 30 days so far, no problems.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

Zoom Zoom with a Few Hidden Facts

Jerry Miskovsky, 01/29/2005
2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The Mazda RX8 is definitely fun to drive and I plan to enjoy it for the next year or two. Buyers should be aware of a few things you don't learn about until you own it. First, the tires are absolutely useless on snow or ice; you'll need to get snow tires. Second, you're cautioned to always let the engine come up to normal operating temperature; even if you just need to go out and move if a few feet. Third, there is no spare tire (unless you want to give up your trunk space). If you can deal with these three shortcomings, get one and enjoy it as I have mine.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

"Fine French Fencing Foil"

Les, 03/29/2005
2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

it is the best car i have ever driven. it respond to the road with such accuracy and precision, "like a fine french fencing foil."

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5 out of 5 stars

Eye-catching, Great handling

Mazda RX8, 01/29/2005
2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The car draws positive comments and looks from everyone passing by. Many people ask what car it is, and say how much they like the look of the car. Handles like a dream even in high wind with the limited slip differential. Power to spare, incredible comfort. There is a great sound system, and fantastic safety features. The seats are amazingly comfortable, and a "cockpit" style dash presents all information so it's easy to see. The digital speedometer is excellent for the quick glance - and necessary - it's hard to tell how fast you may be going! Quiet ride. The back seats are a major asset - it's a "family sports car"! Great car - you have to experience it to believe it.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Great car, poor mileage

surfdude, 09/30/2009
2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This car is fantastic! The most fun car to drive I've ever driven. It can hit up to 8000 RPM without any trouble, in fact, its healthy for the car to do this, as it cleans out the engine. Incredible handling: you can literally go around a 90 degree turn at 40 mph without any trouble! While the car doesn't have the acceleration of a corvette or a 350z (5.9 from 0-60), its handling is better than a 350z and rivals that of a corvette. Reason is a 50/50 rear-to-front weighting of the car. There is no 500lb engine under the hood, as the rotary engine isn't a typical heavy engine. Thus, there is no front heavy, back sliding that occurs in a typical car in turns.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Mazda RX-8 lot of flash, bad on gas

lugnutz, 01/30/2005
2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The Mazda RX-8 is a great sports coupe. In terms of performance the RX-8 competes well with the Porsche Boxster and BMW M4. It has a broad rpm range, true 9000 rpm redline, has a shifting sweet spot around 7500-8000 which is absolute music to the ears. The Zoom Zoom is in the curves. Its .88 Gs in slalom testing by Motor Trend magazine puts the RX-8 in a class with true exotic sports supercars. This is an ideal sports car for the family guy. With seating for four, you can take drop the kids off at soccer, ballet, and lacrosse practice. Its exterior design is flowing and graceful, but definitely exudes its sports car nature. The drivers cockpit very stylish, but all business.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Still a treat to drive after 3 years!

dna, 08/07/2008
2005 Mazda RX-8 Manual 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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!

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