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Mazda RX-8

SE3P · Only gen (Renesis)2003–2012

Four doors, four rotors of fuel. Rotary's last stand.

19 reviewers · 38 videos

// 00 the verdict

Reviewers strongly agree on its handling and fun to drive, but split on performance and daily drivability.

across 19 reviewers

// scorecard at a glance
// where reviewers split
Performance
6 say · liveable

"it is a really you know rev happppy engine it revs all the way to 9,000 with no hesitation"

Zygrene · ▶ 8:23
4 say · critical

"the Mazda comes up short as the rotary engine is light on power and torque and thirsty for fuel, too."

Car and Driver · ▶ 2:32
Daily drivability
7 say · liveable

"the big surprise here is just how luxurious this car is. In addition to it being as good to drive and sporty as it is, I have great visibility. These seats are super comfortable."

TheTopher · ▶ 24:00
5 say · critical

"You cannot take this car and drive it somewhere where the engine didn't get fully warmed up and then shut it off. That is destined to kill your engine."

EverydayDriver · ▶ 25:33
Value
12 say · liveable

"you're talking about pretty much one tenth of the price for an rx8"

RAD Potential · ▶ 11:20
2 say · critical

"you have to be willing to deal with the more intensive maintenance that you get with a rotary"

Zygrene · ▶ 12:46
// the categories
// 01

Performance

3.0/519 of 19 reviewerssplit

it is a really you know rev happppy engine it revs all the way to 9,000 with no hesitation

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 8:23

The engine, funny enough, you sit so high in the RPM, you still find yourself wanting more, which is I thought was impossible in a rotary

positive · ShootingCars · ▶ 6:39

it's pretty quick but it's not like fast fast

positive · TheStraightPipes · ▶ 1:48
// 02

Handling

4.5/518 of 19 reviewersstrong consensus

Oh, the chassis is amazing. It just feels like a bigger Miata with slightly better steering.

positive · TheTopher · ▶ 20:29

It just dances through these corners.

positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 27:13

the rx-8 out of the box even is one of the best handling cars in the market

positive · ThatDudeinBlue · ▶ 17:25
// 03

Fun to drive

4.5/519 of 19 reviewersstrong consensus

It's a really enjoyable power level, too. I mean, you can rev this thing out to 9 grand all day long

positive · TheTopher · ▶ 32:16

Oh, this car is so delightful to drive.

positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 27:36

This is just it's a hoot and a half. It's really really fun track experience.

positive · ShootingCars · ▶ 13:26
// 04

Daily drivability

3.0/518 of 19 reviewerssplit

the big surprise here is just how luxurious this car is. In addition to it being as good to drive and sporty as it is, I have great visibility. These seats are super comfortable.

positive · TheTopher · ▶ 24:00

You cannot take this car and drive it somewhere where the engine didn't get fully warmed up and then shut it off. That is destined to kill your engine.

critical · EverydayDriver · ▶ 25:33

you're getting a lot of practicality you're getting four seats

positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 18:54
// 05

Value

4.0/517 of 19 reviewerssplit

you're talking about pretty much one tenth of the price for an rx8

positive · RAD Potential · ▶ 11:20

They're dirt cheap because nobody wants to run a car like this that won't pass emissions.

positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 29:07

The prices of them in the classifides are tempting. And you've been looking at them for ages thinking, 'Yeah, yeah, I know why. You won't fool me. I'm not getting an RX8, but hear me out. You should.'

positive · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 13:32

Hear it in the reviewer’s words

Roads Untraveled
Posted Jun 13, 2026Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
TheTopher
Posted Jul 27, 2025Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
ShootingCars
Posted Jul 8, 2025Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
More Mazda RX-8 reviews
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Head to head
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