Pros:
- Beautiful styling
- Four-door sedan practicality
- Fantastic high-revving rotary engine
- A bargain compared to many sports coupes on the market
Cons:
- Mediocre fuel economy
- Back seat is best suited for kids
Who should buy the Mazda RX-8:
People with families who would rather drive a sports car than succumb to minivan madness
Who should not buy the Mazda RX-8:
People who need the back seat for anything other than hauling kidsContinued below...
Details and specs:
- Body style: 4-door sports coupe
- Trim levels: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring
- Price range (including options): $27,030 - $37,734
- Base engine: 1.3 liter 2-rotor rotary, 232 hp @ 8500 RPM, 159 lb-ft @ 5500 RPM
- Optional engine: 1.3 liter 2-roter rotary, 212 hp @ 7500 RPM, 159 lb-ft @ 5500 RPM (automatic)
- Premium fuel required? Yes
- Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic
- Driveline: Front engine, rear-wheel-drive
- EPA fuel economy estimates: 18 city/24 highway (manual), 18/25 (automatic)
- Where built: Japan
- Standard safety equipment: Antilock brakes, front airbags, front seat-mounted torso airbags, side curtain airbags
- Optional safety equipment: Electronic stability control
- Major standard features: Power windows/locks/mirrors, air conditioning, CD player
- Major options: Heated leather seats, Bose stereo system, GPS-linked navigation system
- Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain, 5 years/unlimited mileage outer body rust-through
- Roadside assistance/free maintenance: 3 years/36,000 miles roadside assistance
Best rivals:
- Porsche Cayman
- Nissan 350Z
- Mitsubishi Eclipse
- Chevrolet Corvette
