Mazda has big plans for the 2009 RX-8 sports car. Along with a mild facelift, the car is getting longer warranty coverage for its rotary engine -- 8 years or 100,000 miles on the engine, casing, seals, gaskets and internal bits. (The rest of the powertrain is covered by a 5 year/60,000 mile warranty, while the entire car is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles.)
In an impressive display of good faith, Mazda is making the warranty retroactive for 2004-2008 RX-8s. In a letter sent to RX-8 owners -- and this bit is hearsay, I have to add -- RX-8 owners who made repairs that would be covered under the warranty can apparently request reimbursement from Mazda. (I'd love to hear from anyone who actually tries this.)
I've always liked the RX-8; I think it's one of the few sports cars that can truly claim to be family-friendly. But concerns about the rotary engine's reliability -- apparently, it considers blowing internal seals as something of a hobby -- have gotten in the way of sales. Let's hope this means Mazda has addressed the problems, and that perhaps the RX-8 will start getting the respect (and sales) it deserves. -- Aaron Gold
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Photo © Mazda
The better warranty helps, but the big problem with the RX-8 is its poor gas mileage and lack of torque. While it is fun-to-drive, the gas mileage is worse than expected when you consider the amount of performance delivered by the rotary engine in the car.
And with gas prices being what they are I don’t look for the RX-8 to set any sales records any time soon.
I agree with Johnster. I think the RX-8 is one of the best looking cars on the road both inside and out, however the one and only thing keeping one out of my garage are the near Chevy Suburban gas mileage they get.
What I don’t understand is if Mazda is putting turbo’s on their other high performance car, then why don’t they do it with this car. I’m willing to bet that if they made the engine more like the RX-7 “smaller displacement w/ boost” it would get at least a couple more MPG and a lot more power at lower RPM s.
And on a 2nd note, it is about time they made some updates to this car!
I’m in agreement that the biggest problem with the RX-8 is the gas mileage.
I owned a 2004 RX-8. It was easily the best handling, most exciting car that I’ve ever owned. The engine was incredible, as was the handling.
But my average gas mileage ranged between 13 and 15 miles per gallon. It also has a tiny gas tank which demanded daily fill ups. Putting $30 a day in fuel into this car really killed the joy and I regretfully had to let the RX-8 go.
i have a uk 54 plate mazda that wont start when its hot i’ve been fighting the finance company for 9 months. apparently it needs an upgraded starter (and extras) costing £850 or a new engine costing £6500 (quoted by mazda stockport). would me engine be covered under the powertrain warranty, its had 2 owners including myself and has done 79k miles. I’ve had it 12 months now and only driven 1800 miles due to the fault. do you have any advice? Thanks Kerry
I have a 2004 RX8, and recently it just stopped working. Towed it 3 places, the last one being Mazda.(because they are so expensive in Hawaii). They called yesterday and said they ordered a new motor for it, $8000.00 not including labor, but I would not have to pay a penny. It’s like getting a new car! 0 miles! What a miracle! Thanks Mazda!!!