The Question is, will Mazda start a trend with it's new four seat, four door sports car?

A LITTLE HISTORY

Seventeen years ago Jeep started a automobile revolution when they introduced the four door Jeep Cherokee in the late 80s. Because they were so popular, one by one every major automobile manufacturer (even Porsche) has brought out their version of the four door Sports Utility Vehicle so, what started out as an innovation has turned into a phenomenon, with SUV's accounting for almost fifty percent of recent auto sales.

Ironically the SUV popularity seemed precipitate a serious blow to affordable sports cars as we knew them, including the highly rated RX8 predecessor the totally redesigned third generation RX7. After mediocre sales in 93 and lousy sales in 94 followed by a dismal sales year in 1995, in which they sold only 500 RX7s nationwide, Mazda said to America collectively, you can't tell the difference between chicken salad and chicken s*it and stopped importing them to America.

Rotary enthusiasts were crushed! I was crushed. The RX7 was beautiful. It was Hot. It was a gas to drive! It along with the also discontinued Nissan 300ZX and Toyota Supra had been revolutionizing sports cardom, and now they were all gone. No wonder we don’t like SUV’s.

But here's the caveat, while SUVs are eminently practical, they weren't much fun to drive (on road at least) so after about a couple year drought, sports cars, one by one started to be reintroduced by various manufacturers, to the now more receptive public. Of course the tiny underpowered Mazda Miata was always available as was the larger, heavier, overpowered Chevrolet Corvette. In the late nineties both BMW and Mercedes introduced convertible sports cars to challenge the Miata, followed in 2000 by Honda’s S2000 and Lexus SC in 2002 . These were followed by Nissan’s re-entry into the field in 2003 with the 350ZX and Infinity’s version the G35.

All of a sudden there were a dozen or more nifty sports cars to chose from but where was Mazda. Still smarting from the RX7 third generation fiasco, Mazda, a company in which Ford Motors has an interest, had been threatening to reenter the field with a new rotary (the unique type of engine in RX’s) engine car since 2000 but was reluctant to jump in the fray too quickly. I surmise that they were looking for a new angle to separate them from all the other sports cars and what they came up with was as unique as their engine. In 2004 Mazda introduced the RX8 a four door, four seat sports car. Some might say that’s an oxymoron that you can’t have a true four seat sports car. I say balderdash! This is every bit the sports car as the S2000 or the 350ZX to which Motor Trend compared the RX8 last year.

A couple months ago we bought our third Mazda, a new RX8. My wife seeing how much I enjoyed my RX7s and desirous of a sportier image than that of a soccer mom, traded in her Chrysler Town and Country on this new beauty. The only problem is it's an automatic but what are you going to do, she won't or can't drive a stick.

I have noticed that other reviewers tend to compare the RX 8 to contemporary sports cars such as the aforementioned S2000 and 350ZX. This is fine but owning the RX8's predecessor the RX7 allows me to compare two Mazda sports cars, the old and the new, both with rotary engines. I will break my analysis into various categories such as appearance, handling etc.

APPEARANCE

Advantage RX7 - There isn’t a car around, even today under $70,000 that is better looking than the third generation (93-95) RX7 in my opinion. The RX8 is pleasant enough looking but I would never buy it on looks. At first glance it bears a resemblance to the Studebaker Avanti of antiquity, not that there was anything wrong with the Avant’s looks. If you don’t believe me check it out.

ROOMINESS

No Contest, advantage RX8 - and that goes for any sports car on the market today. As advertised the RX8 is a four door, four seat sports car and this separates it from all other current competition. The rear seats can accommodate two adult-size passengers and the rear mini-doors, make the RX 8 easy for egress and ingress for both front and rear passengers. In addition, the trunk of the RX8 is also functional with enough space for groceries, luggage or it has been said, two sets of golf clubs.

ACCELERATION

No Contest, advantage RX7 - I haven’t been able to find any specs on it but I would guess the manual 8 would be around 6 seconds 0-60mph, and the auto 8 around 7.5 seconds, while my RX7 is about 4.9 seconds. Of course my RX7 has about twenty more horsepower than the manual 8 and weighs 200 lbs less and of course it has twin turbos.

HANDLING

Tie - This is a strong-point of both the elder and new RX models. The third generation RX7 was renown for it’s equal 50-50 weight distribution and the attendant superb handling. Surprisingly the RX8 is also engineered with 50-50 weight distribution and it’s handling is every bit as good as the Seven. Crisp steering, unruffled cornering and right-now brakes that are a Mazda signature serve as reminders that the RX8 really is a sports car. A warning though, the superior performance comes at a price, with a stiffer, bumpier ride

BRAKING

Tie - Another strong-point. When the third generation Seven was matched up against the Nissan 300ZX and the Toyota Supra by Cars and Driver, the Seven was rated with the superior braking, handling and was beat out in by a tenth of a second in acceleration and one mile per hour in top end. The RX 8 has the same superior braking system as the seven, making it one of the best around.

TOP END

Unknown - I have seen no data regarding the RX8's top speed but I suspect it is probably less than the Seven’s 160mph.

SAFETY

No contest, Advantage RX8 - In crash tests the Eight has been rated the safest passenger car let alone sports car for this years models. It is one of the few cars where side impact air bags is standard. equipment and is rated a five stars, the only vehicle so classified. Both vehicles feature anti-lock brakes.

INTERIOR

Advantage RX8 - The RX7 was a performance car so it’s interior was rather spartan and austere (It doesn’t even have a cup holder) so the Eight has a leg up on this one but from what I’ve heard, it has a leg up on most of the competition as well. At least the competition with a price tag under 50 grand. However, when comparing the available upholstery options I must address one item. The color selection is fairly limited and a little strange One has a choice of solid black fabric (available on the base models), solid black leather, or a rather garish combination of black with red trim or black with tawny trim leather. Curious, I asked a salesman what others thought about the odd color combinations. He said people either love it or hate it.

Well that’s it for my head to head comparison of the two most recent rotary engine sports cars. More information on the RX 8 follows.

THE ROTARY ENGINE

Much is made of the unique propulsion system utilized in the RX8. As with previous Mazdas of RX vintage, the RX8 is powered by an engine without pistons and valves. Mazda took the world by storm by it's sudden introduction of the rotary engine in 1970, and the RX8’s 238-hp (197 with an automatic transmission), 1.3-liter twin-rotor Renesis is the latest refinement of this historic engine. Like previous rotaries it provides an exceptionally smooth ride but with the exception of the turbo models of the nineties, it has a little less torque than most other cars. This is mostly offset by the engines ability to generate very high RPMs.

The Rotary engine is the brainchild of a German engineer and inventor, Felix Wankel, way back in the thirties, so the concept was kicking around for almost forty years before Mazda decided to put it in production. It is reputed that both General Motors and Daimler - Benz had wrangled with prototypes but it took a Japanese company to bring the Wankel design to fruition.

Besides the obvious advantage of having a large horsepower to size/weight ratio, (The current motor is about the size of a large motorcycle engine) it also has only five moving parts compared to hundreds in piston driven engines.

Instead of multiple reciprocating pistons propelling back and forth in combustion chambers to produce power and then transferred 90 degrees to to a crankshaft, the rotary engine's rounded triangle-shaped rotors are attached to the drive-shaft within an oval-shaped housings, with two of the rotors three shapes producing a power stroke. A moving rotor circles past supply and waste openings in the housing, drawing fuel in from one port and forcing out exhaust through the other. This creates two very efficient effects.

First, the rotors turn the shaft directly, eliminating the power loss experienced by transferring the power from the piston rods to the crankshaft. This helps with the low torque usually experience in smaller engines and allows the engine to ramp up extraordinary revs (the manual RX8 redlines at 9300 rpms). Second, with a conventional four stroke combustion engine each piston fires only on every other rotation of the crankshaft, while the rotary engine fires two times for each rotor (RX 7's & 8's have two rotors) for each rotation of the shaft, a high efficiency scenario, creating a horsepower per engine displacement ratio several times that of it’s piston driven cousin.

ADVANTAGES

1] Because Rotary engines are small and easy to package, they are eminently suited for sports cars where they provide a larger than normal horsepower to weight ratio. The lower torque associated with the smaller engine however makes them underpowered for larger vehicles.

2] Though not providing seat pinning acceleration, (Except for turbos) it compares well with the obvious competitors and has the added advantage of a smooth quiet acceleration, which will fool you. So smooth, quiet and direct is the engine’s acceleration that Mazda installed a shift tone to warn the driver when the engine is approaching the 9000-rpm rev limiter.

DISADVANTAGES

1] Despite their small size rotary engines are notorious for below average fuel economy. Part of the reason they are not fuel efficient is the fact that with each rotation of the engine there are four firings for each rotation equaling that of an eight cylinder conventional combustion engine.

2] The rotary engine, because of it’s design, burns an inordinate quantity of oil, perhaps one or more quarts between three thousand mile oil changes. This is only a problem if you abuse the engine. Old rotaries burned a quart in 2,000 miles. Mazda claims to have this corrected stating the RX8 because oil injection is now computer-controlled. With normal maintenance and regular oil checks the rotary engine should last a long time.

An associated problem is the placement of the dip stick is fairly difficult to reach. Considering how important repeatedly checking the oil is this seems to be a design flaw.

Other Pertinent Information

Size / Weight (per USA Today/James Healy) - About the same overall size as a Porsche 911; about 5 inches shorter (correction! It is five inches longer.)than the RX7. The RX8 is 174.3 inches long, 69.7 inches wide, 52.8 inches tall on a 106.4-inch wheelbase. Trunk is 7.6 cubic feet. Weighs 3,029 pounds with manual transmission, 3,053 with automatic, which is evenly divided 50/50 between front and rear tires.

Standard Equipment - power steering, brakes, windows, mirrors, locks; AM/FM/CD stereo; cruise control.

Optional Equipment - There are no individual factory installed options. Instead a variety of option packages that cost $1,100 to $4,600 contain tempting items. For instance, the RX8 I bought had the $4600 AT Grand Touring package, which contained a sunroof, Bose sound system, power driver seat and classy leather upholstery among others.

Here is a breakdown of all the factory option packages (per Mazda web site) - MT Sport Package: Xenon headlights, DSC w/Traction Control, Fog Lamps--$1,100. AT Sport Package: Xenon headlights, DSC w/Traction Control, Fog Lamps, Tochigi Fuji LSD, 18" 225/45R18 tires, Sport Tuned Suspension--$1,800. MT Touring Package: Xenon headlights, DSC w/Traction Control, Fog Lamps, BOSE audio system, Auto Day/Night Mirror w/Homelink, Moonroof, Heated Mirrors--$2,700--AT Touring Package: Xenon headlights, DSC w/Traction Control, Fog Lamps, Tochigi Fuji LSD, 18" 225/45R18 tires, Sport Tuned Suspension, BOSE audio system, Auto Day/Night Mirror w/Homelink, Moonroof, Heated Mirrors --$3,500
MT Grand Touring Package: Xenon headlights, DSC w/Traction Control, Fog Lamps, BOSE audio system, Auto Day/Night Mirror w/Homelink, Moonroof, Heated Mirrors, Leather Trimmed Upholstery, Leather Door Trim, 6-way Power Driver's Seat, Heated Seats, Lumbar Support--$3,900. AT Grand Touring Package: Xenon headlights, DSC w/Traction Control, Fog Lamps, Tochigi Fuji LSD, 18" 225/45R18 tires, Sport Tuned Suspension, BOSE audio system, Auto Day/Night Mirror w/Homelink, Moonroof, Heated Mirrors, Leather Trimmed Upholstery, Leather Door Trim, 6-way Power Driver's Seat, Heated Seats, Lumbar Support--$4,600

Dealer supplied Accessories (per Mazda web site) - Your dealer also offers some nifty accessories. Here is a sample of what’s available: DVD Navigation System, Front Air Dam Skirt, Tire Deflectors, Front and Rear, Mud Flaps, Front and Rear, Exhaust Trim surround and a bunch more for you to spend your hard earned money on.

Interior Design, Ergonomics - The fact that Mazda is proud or the rotary motor is no more evident that the car’s interior where you can find replicas of the rotor on the shift knob and cleverly incorporated into the front headrests. The well thought out interior is functional and fashionable with an industrial flair. All instruments are placed close to the driver for ease of use, in fact on the automatic 8, when the shift knob is in the manual position, the driver can shift the car from the steering wheel.

The front seats consist of lightweight bucket seats which include, in some cases, an adjustable lumbar setting and heaters. The gear stick is located conveniently and is placed on the transmission tunnel/console that runs the full length of the cab. The Automatic has a feature that allows you to shift manually if you desire and the manual six speed has a short throw which is relatively smooth.

Rear passengers enter through the freestyle door system, similar to those on some pick up trucks. The rear doors are hinged at the rear and the center pillar has been eliminated, bringing back memories of the 1954 Continental and their "suicide doors". This permits easier access to the rear and maintains the racy coupe appearance. Since the front doors lock into the rear doors, they can only be opened when the front doors are open. In effect the front doors lock into the rear doors which in turn lock into top and bottom portions of the frame, a feature that should prevent unwanted opening.

The RX8 has rear drive so a transmission tunnel runs the length of the cab creating a structural hump (backbone) which adds stability and contributes to it's five star safety rating. This tunnel / backbone, though well designed as an aesthetic element, has a distinct disadvantage as well, since it is also evident in the rear seat and effectively cuts the cab, longitudinally, in half. This does not allow a child say, to recline to a take a nap or comfortably permit a fifth passenger.

Two negatives I should bring up. The speedometer is a digital style located within the analog tachometer face in the lower right hand corner of the tunnel. Also as previously mentioned the choice of interior color is very limited. I understand that Mazda is trying to hold down costs but the choices are poor, the combination choices don’t appeal to me and all choices feature black, either all black or black and red or tawny.

Horsepower - The Mazda RX8 only has one available engine but curiously it’s horsepower ratings vary between the manual and automatic transmission some 17%. The six speed stick is rated at 238 hp, while the auto is only rated at 197hp. This is ostensibly because a different fuel intake system on the manual and the fact that it is allowed to rev to 9000rpm while the automatic is capped at 7500rpm. Mazda asserts that the automatic transmission cannot handle the faster revs on the manual.

Another thing I find curious is that the manual transmission costs an additional $1,500 a cost attributed to larger wheels and a sport suspension system.

Other Considerations

1] Taller people may want to consider whether a sun/moon roof is for them. The addition of the sun/moon roof reduces the height of the headliner substantially. I’m 6' 1" and I have the same problem in my RX7 where not my head but my hair annoyingly rubs the ceiling. I am able to nullify this problem by reclining my seat approx. two clicks.

2] If you decide to buy an RX8, you must be prepared to make a commitment to take good care of it. It may be Japanese but unlike a Toyota or a Honda which are the vehicular equivalent of the Eveready Bunny, a rotary engine requires TLC and regimented maintenance. Overheating can kill a rotary engine (heat can melt or warp it’s “O” rings) so if it starts to seriously overheat, it’s cheaper to park and catch a bus or cab than buy a new engine.

3] At somewhere between the high twenty and the low thirty thousand dollars, the RX8 has got to be one of the best sport car buys available. Consider this. My 1994 RX7 listed for some thirty seven thousand dollars, equivalent to forty six thousand 2005 dollars. That makes the RX 8 some fifteen thousand dollars cheaper than it’s progenitor.

4] Well they finally came out with my personal favorite, white in RX8 in 2005 and boy is it sharp. It wasn’t offered in 2004 when yellow - now discontinued - was available. This is the same M.O. Mazda used in 1993/94 with the RX7s.

5] Since rotary engines are not commonplace, it may be hard to find a mechanic that is familiar with them, let alone will work on them. Of course the dealerships will have qualified mechanics but if you find them to be too expensive, get a hold of your local Rotary Club and ask for a reference and once you find a good mechanic, hold on to him.

6] If you're tooling down the road in your new RX8 and you get a flat tire, don't be surprised when you open the trunk to get the spare tire if it's missing. It seems that Mazda doesn't think you need one. In fact there doesn't even seem to be a place for one if you wanted one. Instead you'll find a flat tire repair kit. If your tire is merely the victim of a nail or a slow leak the repair kit should work fine but what do you do in case of a blow out or you hit some road debris? Mazda says call your dealership.

Update The fact that our new car does not come with a spare tire has my wife very upset. She says if she knew this in advance she would not have bought the car. It seems that a spare tire is available at a cost of $100. In addition, a kit has to be installed in the trunk to make room for the tire which costs an additional $350 plus installation. How much? We didn’t ask. I must say that we think it is a little sneaky that this was not disclosed to us at the time of purchase.

CONCLUSION

Unlike a few years ago, an individual that wants to own a sporty car finally has probably a couple dozen choices. To those so inclined I have this to say. Does the manufacturer of the car you’re looking at have a history with sports cars? Do they have a legacy? Mazda has been making rotary engine sports cars since 1979. Of course there are options. The Nissan 350Z is an excellent one. I’ve had two Z’s and they were great. But if you talk to an owner of a Rotary propelled car, they will tell you that there is something different about it. Nothing you can put your hand on but the way it accelerates in a steady line not seeming to want to peak. The way it responds when you put the peddle to the metal. The tight handling and braking is legendary.

Then of course Mazda is making it hard for the practical of us to be practical, by coming out with a practical Sports car. Now what's your excuse?

Try it out, you may be an owner.


Amount Paid (US$): 32,000
Condition: New
Model Year: 2005
Model and Options: A GT, Automatic, Sun roof, heated seats, Bose stereo CD system,