A Real Sports Car, With Four Seats--Why Didn't Someone Think Of This Before?
Written: Feb 23 '04 (Updated Oct 24 '07)
Product Rating:
Pros: Utter uniqueness, sharp and responsive handling, sweet steering and shifter, surprising practicality.
Cons: Acceleration less forceful than expected, rotary engine's different maintenance schedule requires commitment from owners
The Bottom Line: The RX-8 is an awesome achievement for Mazda. They've created a real sports car that can be used every day, without watering down its dynamic sharpness or excitement factor.
Has anyone ever tried to knock your car with the phrase, "there's no replacement for displacement?" Did you struggle for a comeback to this old hot-rodder's adage? Well, now Mazda offers all the evidence you need to refute this traditional cut at the import scene. That evidence is the RX-8.
The RX-8, as Mazda enthusiasts will already know, is powered by a rotary engine that displaces just 1.3 liters. Using the conventional wisdom mentioned above, that means you're better off in a 1.6-liter Chevy Aveo. So just tell these folks, in their own words, to "put up or shut up"--their Aveo against your RX-8.
There's a lot more to the RX-8 than tech-spec trivia, of course. And, having had a soft spot for Mazdas for some time, I was eager to find out how well the latest RX fared in today's competitive affordable-sports segment. So, I took one for a test-drive to find out.
Performance
The RX-8's 1.3-liter "Renesis" rotary is something of a paradox. It's instrumental in giving the car its unique personality, and is therefore one of the car's greatest strengths. Dynamically, however, it's also the RX-8's greatest weakness.
I'll get the bad news out of the way first: If you're expecting neck-straining, pin-you-to-your-seat levels of thrust, well, don't. With just 159 lb/ft of torque, this engine doesn't deliver much off-the-line scoot, and in the level-headed driving that comprised the first few minutes of my test drive, the RX-8's acceleration felt surprisingly average. From the low end all the way to about 5000 rpm, the Renesis simply lacked oomph. It just pulled smoothly and calmly, like an economy car's inline-four.
Now for the good news: this car picks up speed rapidly with revs. When I got a chance to put my foot to the floor, the RX-8's acceleration developed into a determined lunge above 7000 rpm. Its thrust kept intensifying even as the tach beeper warned me to shift at the 9000 rpm redline. And even though the sensation of speed was never as forceful as I had hoped--the Subaru WRX and Infiniti G35, for example, both feel considerably faster--the engine's uniqueness was fair compensation for its relative lack of velocity.
What's unique about it, beyond the peaky power delivery? Plenty. I've never experienced an engine that revved so effortlessly, and felt so smooth and unstressed in the process (at a sportbike-like 9000 rpm, that's saying a lot). Also, the engine's sound--a warbling, alien snarl, overlaid with a high-pitched whistle--was like nothing I've ever heard. When driving an RX-8, don't be surprised if you find yourself scanning the sky for low-flying UFOs.
Transmission/Clutch
The RX-8's 6-speed manual transmission is another one of the car's high points. Its feel is quite similar to that of the 5-speed in Mazda's own Miata--which is to say, it's excellent. The RX-8's stubby shift lever has crisp, ultra-short throws, and it slots through the gears with a chunky, communicative precision.
Clutch feel is also superb, with take-up that manages to be both quick and forgiving--the best of both worlds. Plus, if you've never mastered the art of heel-and-toe, the RX-8's short clutch stroke and ideally-placed pedals will make learning a cinch.
If you're more interested in the automatic RX-8, though, prepare for some stiff punishment from Mazda. Not only do you miss out on the manual's sublime shifter and clutch combo, but the engine is downrated to from 238 hp to just 197 hp, the limited-slip differential goes AWOL, the suspension is softened, and you get a weedy-looking set of 16-inch wheels instead of the manual's 18s. An appropriate penalty for automatic sports car ownership, perhaps, but a cruel one.
Steering/Handling
While the RX-8's powertrain is indeed characterful and enjoyable, I found the car's handling to be its strongest suit. It's another quality of the RX-8 that's easy to compare to the Miata, since both cars are sharp, nimble, and light on their feet. The RX-8 is also similar in that it's fun to toss around, but without the edgy stiffness and nervousness of some sports cars.
The RX-8's 225-width tires, however, offer far more grip than you'd get from a Miata. When I threw the RX-8 around in the wide-open spaces of an empty parking lot, its tires stuck to the pavement like glue, allowing me to dive hard into turns and execute back-and-forth slalom maneuvers with total confidence. But its chassis isn't just benign--it's also surprisingly playful. Unlike some high-grip cars, the RX-8 is happy to let you toy with understeer and mild oversteer by modulating the pedals. And when you're done playing, the chassis will corner with all the predictable neutrality you'll ever need off a track.
The RX-8 acquits itself equally well in the mundane business of everyday driving. The mild body roll that I noticed in really hard driving was imperceptible at legal speeds, and the brakes felt reassuringly strong. The RX-8's steering was excellent, too--firm, quick, and very precise--and its tight on-center feel allowed the RX-8 to track down the freeway with no corrections.
Ride
The RX-8 isn't exactly a smooth-riding car, but if your priorities run toward a sporty driving experience, it probably won't bother you. On my test drive, I found the RX-8's ride rather stiff and lumpy, but totally liveable given the car's handling prowess. It felt busy and slightly harsh on city streets, but calmed down nicely at higher speeds, to the point that long freeway drives would be no problem.
There was also a fair amount of wind and road noise, but the fascinating engine note drowned these sounds out at most speeds. In truth, the RX-8's ride is almost plush for a true sports car, but casual drivers that are mostly interested in the RX-8's flashy looks might want to take extended test drives to make sure the ride's stiffness is acceptable for them.
Interior
The RX-8's interior doesn't overwhelm with its style or quality, but it excels in its ability to create a genuine sports-car mood. The low-slung seats and slightly laid-back driving position allowed me to extend my arms to the steering wheel, and stretch my legs to the pedals--a racy posture that I prefer to the upright driving positions in most new cars.
But in spite of the sporty positioning of the driver, the RX-8 still provides excellent comfort and visibility. The sport seats are supportive and well-bolstered, and the view forward is relatively airy and unimpeded. The RX-8's cockpit is a fairly snug fit, but unlike some sports cars, this one doesn't make you feel like you're sitting in the bottom of a bathtub.
Interior-quality sticklers may take issue with the RX-8's occasionally thin-feeling plastic trim, not to mention the plain, rubbery door panels. But most of the RX-8's touch points are pleasing to the hands, particularly the thick-rimmed steering wheel and the chunky shift knob. Besides, if those low-budget bits help keep the RX-8's price (and weight) down, I consider it fair trade-off. As for ergonomics, well, let's just say that the RX-8's control layout isn't likely to bore you. The stylized climate and radio controls take a bit of learning to figure out, and while I personally wasn't bothered by the digital speedometer, I imagine plenty of buyers will dislike this little memoir of the 1980s.
One can hardly discuss the RX-8 without mentioning its rear "suicide" doors--just don't tell Mazda marketing I called them that--and the extra back-seat space contained within. Do these features live up to their hype? Yes, mostly. There's a good deal more space than in other "real" sports cars, although rear head- and legroom still are still pinched. The downside of this four-door layout, however, is that the assembly tends to rattle a bit over sharp bumps, making the RX-8's structure feel less rigid than it actually is.
Practicality
As sports cars go, the RX-8 is quite a usable everyday car. There are few four-seaters this sporting, with such quick reflexes, and the car's liveable ride means that you could drive this car every day without slipping a disc somewhere down the road.
The RX-8's cargo capacity is nothing to brag about--just 7.6 cubic feet--and it's unfortunate that the rear seatbacks don't fold down. Still, there's enough room in the trunk to bring home the day's groceries, and there's also a reasonable amount of storage space inside. If you’re looking for maximum practicality in this price range, Subaru’s WRX can’t be beat--but then, with the RX-8, you’re spared the WRX’s econocar driving position and interior ambiance.
Ownership
Although rotary engines have developed an unenviable reputation for mechanical failures over the years, the RX-8 has scored relatively well in consumer reliability surveys. Its repair record has been rated as average, which is better than it sounds-the average number of problems in today’s new cars is very low. Owners should be aware, though, that the RX-8 follows a different service schedule than conventional cars. Spending some quality time with the owner’s manual is recommended.
Running costs are. the usual sports-car story. Insurance rates are high, and with EPA mileage estimates of 18/24 MPG--on Premium gasoline--the RX-8 won’t be cheap to refuel. Plus, even though Mazdas hold their value better than the average new car, the RX-8 depreciates more rapidly than a Honda S2000 or Infiniti G35 Coupe.
Overall
My test drive of the RX-8 left me with an overwhelmingly positive impression. It's fun, sharp-handling, quick, and totally unique in its rotary-engine, four-door layout. There's really nothing quite like it on the road, which makes it hard to compare to a set of possible rivals. Nevertheless, here's my attempt at some buying advice:
If you're dropping $30,000 on a new car with the intention of outrunning everyone on the street, you probably won't want the RX-8. It's a highly nuanced car, but one that's at its worst in simple stoplight drags. The only way you'll duplicate the manufacturer's 5.9 second 0-60 time is by dumping the clutch near the sky-high redline--which is fine if you don't mind replacing your transmission every other week, but otherwise unthinkable. So, if straight-line supremacy is your goal, you'd be better off with a torquier Nissan 350Z or Impreza WRX.
You may also want to steer clear of the RX-8 if all you're looking for is a stylish set of wheels to cruise around town in. Beyond the fact that this would be a waste of the RX-8's talents, the Renesis engine requires a different maintenance schedule than conventional engines. For example, you can't simply drive 5,000 miles without checking the oil. Rotary engines burn some oil as part of their regular operation, so you'll need to be topping it up frequently. If you take only a casual interest in your car's well-being, you might want to check out an RSX or Eclipse instead.
If you're a more holistic type of enthusiast, however, you'll likely appreciate the RX-8 for what it is: a truly satisfying combination of usability, comfort, agility, and excitement, all wrapped up in one desirable package. The RX-8 is not only a bona-fide sports car--it's one you can use every day.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
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