Mazda RX-8 (2003 - 2010) (231ps) 4d (2006/56) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Interesting, left field choice. Not one to go with the norm of 350z or TT.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Everyone loved it, and was pleasantly suprised. Always got comments about fuel and oil consumption tho'......long running joke.

Would you buy this car again and why?

I certainly would, but this would need to be a toy and not a daily driver given the petrol prices. I got 18mpg out of this car, and whilst I didn't mind it did limit it's practicality somewhat.

What are you likely to buy next?

Company car - Audi A4. I now do 30k a year, and no RX8 is going to sustain that sort of mileage year on year.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£8,000

When did you buy the car?

May 2011

Did you get a good deal and why?

Yes, very good part exchange value on my Wife's old Astra. Negotiated good sale value, and received few extras too (servicing, fuel, tax, etc).

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Coupe, performance and practicality in one......or so I tried to convince my wife ;-).

What was the dealer like?

Perrys of Preston - fantastic. Great Mazda dealership. Helped greatly with the car post sales - even did some bodywork for free when a neighbour scratched a bumper in the 1st week I had the car.

What's it like to drive?

Awesome. 50:50 weight distribution, and excellent chasis meant it handled like it was on rails (in the dry). Engine needs working to get the power, but when you do the sound and performance is fantastic. Driving it makes you forgive it for the woeful mpg. Useless in the snow! Don't be fooled - rear wheel drive and snow don't mix. Bin the RE40 and buy better tyres.

What's it like to park?

Rear visibility is not the best, but still found it very easy to park, not a huge car.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Broke a drop link on the anti roll-bar when I hit a pot hole by accident. Other than that, nothing. Don't believe the hype - it doesn't use oil like petrol, the rotor tips don't explode, the cats are fine........look after Rex and it'll look after you.

What's most practical about your car?

Rear doors - suicide doors meant those in the rear had great access. Seats in the back were very usable, unlike those in a TT. Boot also big......aside from mpg a very practical 231bhp car.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Has to be the 1.3l rotary engine. Sounds and feels like it runs on double cream and not petrol. So smooth, and nothing like it. Loved to be driven hard (and you need to in order to get the power). Gear-change beep is a great feature on those country lanes :-).