CD Article: 2006 Mazda RX-8 GT

[CD_Editor]

Test Drive:

If there is one car that proudly marches to the beat of a different taiko drummer, the Mazda RX-8 is it, says Peter Bleakney. "With no pistons or valves to go up and down, the very compact (rotary engine) unit will happily rev to 9000 rpm," he says. And its front/rear weight distribution of 48/52% is "quite remarkable for a front-engined car," he says.    More...

[si]

Couple of questions, does it have a limited slip differential in the back?

and Railton, how is your gas/oil consumption looking these days?

my friend's parents have an RX-8 and a Hummer (not sure which model), but apparently they are equal in gas consumption.

I love the (non-front-licence-plated) styling inside and out - so much so that I dream of having an Si engine in an RX-8 body. 
I wonder if those quirks that make this car unique are making it's resale value fall faster than average.

[The Mighty Duck]

You're going to have to be pretty rich if you want to drop your Si engine into an RX-8. 

(Dibs on the leftover Si parts!)

[si]

(Dibs on the leftover Si parts!)

I thought you had turned over to the dark side after your WRX test drive.

[mdxtasy]

The RX8 has such a smooth engine.  Revs forever and sounds so effortless.  The practicality of the '4 doors' make this small coupe very appealing to those who need some rear seat space.  It's not as sexy as the RX7 but it's still nice looking. 

[safristi]

  YEAH and it's a "CHUCK" Car....  

[tortoise]

I saw and RX-8 Ottawa that was blowing blue smoke out the tail pipes.  Mind you, it was being driven by an idiot who was alternating between mashing the brakes and the gas.

[Howswedeitis]

Exemplary handling aside I can't see how anyone would want to buy this thing.
It has no torque and sucks gas and burns oil like a 1970's Chevy Caprice with
two hundred thousand miles on the clock. Besides in my opinion it's just plain ugly.

[Bullet Blue]

The RX8 has such a smooth engine.  Revs forever and sounds so effortless.  The practicality of the '4 doors' make this small coupe very appealing to those who need some rear seat space.  It's not as sexy as the RX7 but it's still nice looking. 

 

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I love the RX-8 - smooth, smooooth unique engine, good practicality with the freestyle doors, balanced feline handling, complete equipment list, and reasonable price tag with Mazda's usual value and low lease/finance rates. They really tried to make it a higher volume built sports car accessible to more people yet still feeling unique.

I wouldn't want the rotary engine because of the fuel economy and other related issues, yet I couldn't see this car built with anything but. Double edged dilemma. With that, I would decide against buying one but would hope others would in droves.

It was a few years ago, but they had been keeping their value well. I would think resale is still respectable now.

[ghost]

Ahh a car that I have a love-hate relationship. There are days when I just want to go into a Mazda dealership and plunk in for one. Then there are days when I think this thing could've been better.   
Wish it has a little bit more cajones. I like the feeling of being forced back to my seat when I get on the Happy Pedal.

[Railton]

Gas mileage. Go buy a Yaris.

It's lithe, balanced and communicative.
For everything else there's...

SANGER!

Redneck

[wing]

Yeah I'm not too concerned about gas mileage on a sports car, as long as it is not my daily driver. 

If you are comparing between a BMW 3 series or an RX8 though.... hmmmm.

I really think the RX8 does great as a compromise between a pure sports car and something that is somewhat practical.

[Arthur Dent]

I don't know why articles always harp on "excessive oil consumption" - they are supposed to burn oil just like two strokes. Personally I rather like the Rx-8 but I think I still rather have a Rx-7 with the superior styling.

[ghost]

Personally I would rather get this:



Bye bye RX-8 sales.

[quadzilla]

If it wasn't for our need of space we would be driving this car right now.  We went for a 30 minute test drive and the RX-8 had me at the first beep.  

We love this car and I'm keeping it on the list for the replacement to the 6-wgn if we down size. I can live with the special care it needs.

[Wolfe]

Personally I would rather get this:



Bye bye RX-8 sales.

How about that MX-5 with the RX-8's rotary in it? All that top down fun plus more power, smooth reving, and lighter to boot. It won't be built but I can still dream....



... I wonder if anyone is selling an older Miata with a blown motor?

[mdxtasy]

How about that MX-5 with the RX-8's rotary in it? All that top down fun plus more power, smooth reving, and lighter to boot. It won't be built but I can still dream....

... I wonder if anyone is selling an older Miata with a blown motor?

I have an older Miata with a blown motor. 

[ovr50]

Or is it a blown Miata with an older motor? Could be that too. 

[MKII]

Mazda RX-8, kudos  Mazda for being unique, and designing a practical stylish sports car,   great car IMO.

Doing well in the UK, with 41% share of the non-premium sports car segment.



New variant offered this summer in UK market -  Mazda RX-8 PZ’

United Kingdom, 08/ 05/ 2006

More ‘focused’ ride and handling for new version of 231ps Mazda RX-8
Created jointly with Prodrive to deliver greater driver involvement
Touch of exclusivity with only 800 examples available
Priced from £25,995 on-the-road
Responding to enthusiastic customer feedback, Mazda is introducing an even more ‘focused’ version of its highest performance, four-door, sports coupé. On sale in the UK from 1 July it will be called the ‘Mazda RX-8 PZ’.

Based on the 231ps high-power version of Mazda RX-8 with leather trim, the PZ has been further developed by Mazda jointly with leading motorsport company Prodrive, and specialist component suppliers Bilstein, Eibach and OZ Racing. Mazda’s brief to Prodrive was to build on the remarkable attributes of the standard Mazda RX-8 and create a special model that delivers greater driver involvement and an even more rewarding motoring experience, with enhanced ride and handling, while staying true to the original concept and without compromising the car’s passenger comfort as a unique four-seater sports car.

Ensuring a touch of exclusivity, just 800 examples of the Mazda RX-8 PZ will be available, priced at £25,995 on-the-road with an insurance rating of 17E compared to 16E for the standard RX-8 231ps model.

Distinguishing features include a choice of two colours Brilliant Black (solid) or Galaxy Grey (metallic), unique 18-inch OZ alloy wheels, rear silencer and aerodynamic rear spoiler, lowered suspension, sporty door mirrors, grille mesh inserts on front and rear bumpers as well as ‘PZ’ and 'Prodrive' badging. Additionally , inside RX-8 PZ features the black leather seat trim, plus black leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear knob and hand-brake lever that features as standard on all RX-8 231ps models.

Mazda RX-8 PZ – at a glance
Performance
Lowered ride height
Upgraded coil springs and dampers
Unique 18-inch OZ alloy wheels
Unique aerodynamic rear spoiler
Unique upgraded twin rear silencers
Appearance
Exterior colours, Brilliant Black (480 units) or Galaxy Grey (320 units)
Front and rear mesh grilles
Sporty door mirrors
PZ side badges
PZ and Prodrive branded rear spoiler
Prodrive and OZ branded wheel centre caps
Prodrive branded silencer surrounds

http://www.mazda.co.uk/AboutMazda/MazdaNews/LatestHeadlines/Articles/news08-05-2006