As the original owner of a 2005 now with 58k miles, I have to say this review is probably the best and most accurate I’ve ever seen in terms of aligning with my 18 years of ownership. Well done, sir! So glad I didn’t modify mine :-)
@@nawmean I do not but I am considering starting. I’m worried about what it will do to my Cat, and in my county they test emissions, so I can’t just delete it. Am actually thinking about registering for a classic car plate, which will exempt me from emissions.
I got a 04 6mt in copper red. 60k miles roughly. It is going to be used by my nieces while they are at college. their mum is puzzled. Their dad understands. I'm just not letting them be dependent on rides from lads in unknown cars and kinda raising the bar a bit for the boys. I think it's a move of genius. It's got 200 cell cat and k&n typhoon. Proper eibach suspension going in replacing eBay 💩. It's noisy as hell. It bright red and got the factory hid headlights. We will hear where the car is around the small town where they live. 😂
I've got a 2010 Series 2 RX-8 that I have been daily driving for 8 years. This car is super reliable as long as long as you know its quirks and upgrade the few deficiencies the original models had. Handling is amazing - worthy of a super sports car. The only real negative I have is the poor gas mileage (16 mpg in the city).
Mazda fans, let's gather and celebrate !! Never had the pleasure to own a rotary myself, only a 2016 2.2L diesel AWD 6 estate/wagon (yup, you never had this one in the US !), then I convinced my father to restore a 1990 NA, and right now my daily is a 2022 2.0L ND, but every time I visit my local Mazda shop, there's always a RX-8 in there. Legendary car.
I have wanted a diesel/manual 6 estate for years, but alas I'm in Canada and that would be a very expensive endeavour to get hauled over here. It's a tragedy Mazda never gave us such a combination
@@holmd90 The 6 estate is still today one of the finest cars ever designed in my mind. I got to drive it on some swiss and german snowy roads and man, the Mazda AWD system is no joke. The 2.2L 175hp is a good engine, my only gripe with it is that the diesel particulate filter regeneration cycle is too short (about 400 to 500km at most, mandatory for Euro6 rating I guess). But other than than great torquy and economical engine. Even the sound is nice !
I've owned my 05 rx8 since 2015, and I had my engine rebuilt just before the pandemic started. It being my first and only car I've ever owned I absolutely love it. It's a bit beaten up cosmetically, but it runs like a champ. I'm never letting it go.
@Boom-rc5gl If I recall correctly it was around 130k ish. The person that rebuilt it believed it wasn't the original engine. That it had been replaced at some point before I bought it. But it lasted me a while with minimal issues. Until finally the low compression began to rear it's ugly head, and made hot starts nearly impossible.
The best review of an RX-8 *EVER!* I went through a Wankel phase from the late 1970s through mid-1980s where I owned a 1974 RX-4 Coupe, two different 1973 RX-2 Coupes, put a 12A engine into a 1973 MG Midget, and had a 1973 Hercules Wankel 2000 motorcycle.
I own a 2008 40th Anniversary Edition RX8 (only 1000 made like this in the world) . I bought it new in 2008 and now it is insured as a Classic Car for 150% of what I bought it for new in 2008, full value, no depreciation. I have owned seven rotary Mazdas since the 70's; one RX3, two RX4, all three generations of the RX7 with two of those RX7 modified by Racing Beat for the track. I easily have over a million rotary miles on street and track . Yes I have upgraded and improved my RX8, cooling modifications with Koyo-Rad radiator, Pettit Racing closed system, Racing Beat hoses, low temp thermostat, oil cooler low temp thermostats , low temp fan control, upgraded water pump, ; Mazdaspeed CAI, high performance BHR ignition coils and wires, upgraded starter, performance Cat and mid-pipe from Rotary Performance, BHR clutch pedal assembly, Series Two fuel pump upgrade, new clutch and engine (from Mazda warranty, no cost to me), new engine mounts, and a few other things. I also upgraded to Conti Contact DWS06+ tires. I will be keeping my 40th Anniversary Edition RX8 forever. Wish I could have kept them all. Nothing drives like a rotary. FYI, I use 5W-30W non-synthetic oil and yes I pre-mix. Cheers and best to you.
Saw one getting on an on ramp in front of me last week. Sounded amazing as it got on the highway and hit the gas. If I was driving that I'd be on the gas through the on ramp turns the whole way.
my parents had an RX-8 when they were brand new and seeing those small rear doors open brought back a lot of memories for me. I remember getting in the back when I got picked up from school, and you're right it did feel like a rollercoaster ride! They (mostly my mom) definitely took it to redline a couple times haha. I've been wanting one myself ever since they got rid of it.
The guy I bought my Brembo calipers off of has a three rotor eunos cosmos sitting right in the front yard, and what’s even crazier is that it’s left hand drive because it comes from South Africa.
Great video, thanks! Your review is honest and spot on (of course, looks are subjective), and I appreciate your enthusiasm for the rotary engine. I have owned a 2004 RX8 for 7 years and absolutely love it. Mine just gets driven for fun, has no modifications, and like you, makes me grin from ear to ear on every spin. It truly is an amazing car to drive, especially considering the age and it being stock. Mazda did a very impressive job. I am always on the lookout for an R3, which would be the only car I would move to. Thanks again.
Still blows my mind that it didn't come with a spare tire by default. it was an optional add on that is hard to find now. I love my 04 though, one of the best cars I have owned!
I've owned three FCs and one FD. When the 8 came out, I test drove one, but the problem was that the FD had already ruined me for EVERY other car out there. There is only one way to look at the maintenance factor. Is it not fair to consider this car an exotic, especially today? In that light who cares if you have to (God forbid) keep an eye on your oil, use pre-mix, or even replace the engine once or twice in the car's life? Yes, the rotary can be a time-bomb. It has the torque of a 4 cylinder, the horsepower of a 6 cylinder, and the gas mileage of an 8 cylinder. Knowing this, there's only one way you could still love an engine like that. It, and the car it's in, has to be REALLY good. And, it really is. I believe the future of the rotary is in the Liquid Piston design, which supposedly addresses all of the Wankel rotary's inherent flaws. I seriously wonder if this is a twinkle in Mazda's eye, and if not, why??
It does not use that much oil. I have had 3 of them and you can get 2K to 2500 miles on a quart. On the dip stick from full to low is almost 2 quarts, hard to run it low between oil changes.
You have to be very gullible or just desperate to foolishly pour the wrong oil into the wrong filler hole... Honestly, if you cannot read your owners manual or the label on a bottle of motor oil? You have absolutely no business under the hood of any car and probably shouldn't own a car. Mazda does not recommend premixing and only recommends 4-stroke motor with an API SL rating or better. FYI; LiquidPiston is not a legitimate company, its notorious vaporware investment scam and they have never substantiated any of their ridiculous claims through independent, third-party laboratory testing.
I remember driving one of these when it was practically new. I loved just how smooth the rotary engine was. And the 6-speed annual wasn’t too bad either.
A few things, and this is coming from a rotary enthusiast of over 30yrs now. :-) 1st off, the NC actually took from the Rx8 platform. Since the RX8 came out before the NC. 2nd, you are correct in terms of the 8 being the most driveable. The rigidity of the chassis is what makes it feel this way. It has a number that surpasses alot of other high end vehicles on the market. Even today. This being said, it has had a very rocky existence due to alot of mechanical issues that will surface whether you're careful with it, or not. I'm saying this because I've been planning on keeping my R3 since I got it 5yrs ago. It only had 51k km's on the clock and it was stock with the exception of having a Racing Beat catback. When I picked it up, I noticed the previous owner also swapped out the ignition coils for BHR's. Which was causing the vehicle to stop reving at about 7500rpm. It would just break up. I have since thrown that out and went back to stock. Regaining the full rev range. The Revision C coils is a must. However, I also noticed it took awhile for the engine to rev. Since it was running the stock cat still, running emissions on any rotary is a recipe for disaster. Changed out the headers and the midpipe when I decided to get rid of the emissions entirely. Racing beat headers and BHR midpipe. The car was completely different after that. It's ability to rev was significantly noticeable. Dare I say, it actually felt like a quick car now. Not fast, mind you. But quick. As it should've been. So here I am, hoping that'll be able to own this thing indefinitely. It now has 105k km's on the clock, and wouldn't you know it, circumstances have changed. Unfortunately I can't keep 2 rotary vehicles at the condition I want. And since I've owned my FD since I was 19, the 8 has to go. Dont get me wrong, the 8 is a wonderful quick 2+2. Sometimes life throws you a curveball and you have to adapt. I'm going to miss her. Would I recommend her over an FD? No. But as a great commuter, definitely! :-)
Bullsh!tt!!! The SE chassis is a lengthen FE chassis, the RX8 is inferior due to its longer wheelbase and heavy sedan body. The MX5 is the clearly superior platform, this is irrefutable. The best selling sports car ever made and the best selling 2-seat convertible sports car in history.... it's the number one track car in the world. The RX8 is without any question the worst RX model ever made and Mazda's most unreliable sedan it's ever made. A 3 billion dollar failure that bankrupted Mazda, killed off the entire RX brand and destroyed the company's reputation. It will be remembered as one of the great flops in automotive history like the Edsel and the Pontiac Aztec... Good luck finding a sucker to buy that POS... the world is full of them I'm sure some hapless dolt will buy it from you.
When I was in high school, one of my classmates' older brother drove one of these. His sounded like a tractor and the suspension was completely worn out. He must have thought it was cool to drive it in that condition because he put a Japanese license plate on the front. You have to give Mazda credit for not giving up on the Wankel engine even with its many drawbacks. They're bringing it back as a range extender in the MX-30 compliance EV. It takes a dedicated owner to still have one of these on the road. The radio has a circle because CDs were a big thing in 2004. Mazda also made a trim level of the Protege called the MP3 with a focus on the audio system.
Adendum I would recommend. With the oil injection, for reliability and lifetime of the engine, a SOHN adapter to inject 2-stroke or rotary oil is invaluable. It really lowers the chances of things fouling up
You have to be very gullible and niave to waste money on gimmicks like the useless Sohn adaptor... tampering with the OMP and using the wrong motor oil is just monumentally stupid.
I like the way you describe the handling of this car. I once heard Jeremy from Top Gear say it out-handles 350/370z, which says alot as those Nissans are legendary in their own right
I miss my 2004 rx8, the rotary on rotary hate was vicious, automatic and poor fuel mileage. I purchased a tune, upgraded coils and it wasn’t worth it. Sold it and the new owner ran it hard and lost compression
04 Titanium Gray 2.5 years 30k miles Daily driven/Tracked Regularly redline, premix/sohn, periodic maintenance only real problem Ive had has been coolant hoses ripping this thing has been super reliable, always starts hot/cold and FUN
In the UK we didn't get the Automatic but if you had a 5 speed manual you got 189hp and the 6 speed manual got 231hp but the 189 had a little more torque
my granny almost got one but no dealership had one that wasnt manual so she just got another mustang.... i rly tried to help her find one since i was on my lil import phase at the time... i had a eclpise gsx
Great review, I'm in your area and I'm a big rotary guy. I've got 2 RX8's, one with a built street port motor, and one that's a work in progress:). You hit up any of the local events?
DAYUM i found an RX-8 on the abandoned bakery while it was rusting away and when i opened i saw a V8 and a turbo i was completely shocked that car was abandoned i was so sad why a car was abandoned i love taking cars because it's like a human to and a buddy sad though i was caught Trespassing
I still prefer the RX-7’s. The RX-8 is a weird neither-fish-nor-fowl car, it’s got this four-door body-style as if it’s trying to be a Grand Tourer, yet it has an engine that burns oil, and has problems with unreliability. Plus, I’m not the biggest fan of the shape and size of the thing. Looks better than a MX-5 NC, though.
Proof rotary engines can be great power sources. They just need for one to understand their design, and maintenance characteristics. They just are not "dummy proof". As seen by the many Mazda RX-8's for sale for $500 because they need a new engine. Which can be hard to find for an RX-8 since I don't believe they are available new anymore? The RX-8 is a great car and testament to Mazda engineering. Curious, are their conventional engines that fit under the hood well as a replacement engine?
I’m not a big rotary guy and I don’t have a long history with them, but I absolutely love how the RX8 looks and I’d love to get my hands on one to LS swap it
Noooo don't say that. The LS loses the soul. It throws off the handling. The peppy, buzzy personality goes away. Just get a couple parts to improve that Renesis
@@blutygergaming8789The RX8 is a perfect candidate for an engine swap as most RX8 for sale already have a blown engine and can be bought for scrap prices.
Most people don't appreciate what an RX-8 does best, which is to offer ride comfort that feels impossible considering the elite handling (eg, S2000s and FD RX-7s cannot/doesn't do this). It's more comfortable and handles better than a FRS/BRZ. The electric steering has supreme feedback and is even superior to BMW's F3x and G2x platforms'. You can play music with the throttle and the shifter feel is second to none. Trivia: RX-8s have carbon fiber propeller shafts, aluminum hood and rear doors for weight savings. The manual sport trim's curb weight falls under 3k lbs. Many high performance driving instructors have owned and praised RX-8s if you dig around. RX-8s command respect at technical circuits, but ridicule at drag strips.
I feel like if the Rx8 was designed differently it wouldn't have gotten as much hate. I mainly dislike it because it looks like a Pt cruiser. It looks nothing like the past generation. Just my thoughts
Actually buying one again after I sold one. Planning to just upgrade the radiator and move license plate to allow better flow. Then just toss on a Re-Amemiya Hood and wing and then daily it like a savage cause fuck it, i want to enjoy my cars.
That is more of a US thing because people use to go everywhere and almost live in their cars sometimes. In Europe we don't usually drink or eat that much in a car. Mine does not have them there, they are in the back center console in the back seats
Had a chance to ride in one and boy it is such a blast this car. My mindset is that they're somewhat fragile and needy but I recognize the fanbase for Mazda RX models and the popularity these engines have despite the flaws. And the sound is simply unmatched by anything else.
@@callmeedaddy The lesson of this story is never buy a Mazda... the smallest, least successful of all the Japanese automakers has the lowest customer loyalty rate for a very good reason.... they're junk.
@@sandervanderkammen9230 I own an MX-5 and the RX-8 is a better handling car for the driving I like to do on back roads. I will give you that the MX-5 is a better autocross car. On real roads the RX-8 is better than the MX-5 and FD RX-7 IMO "because of" the longer wheelbase.
@@JanMichaelFranklin You sir are very confused and misinformed, the MX5 and the RX8 share the same SE platform with the RX8 having a heavier sedan body and a longer WB that ruins the handling. The MX5 is the best selling Mazda sports car ever and the best selling 2-seat convertible sports car in history, it is the most popular track car in world today.... the RX8 is a frumpy, slow sedan popular among hairdressers and LBGTQ+ people who can't afford a Tesla. The RX8 was the worst selling sedan in Mazda's history and a 3 billion dollar failure that bankrupted the company and killed off the entire RX brand.
@@callmeedaddy Long wheel base is good for touring cars that have impressive top speeds... the RX8 is not a touring car, it's a compact sedan... and it has very disappointing top speed.
NSU wasn't a ring in the Audi logo. Those rings represented Wanderer, Horch, DKW and Audi and come from the 30s. This was Auto Union before the war split it up (the factories were in East Germany and thus they continued to make cars for the eastern bloc.) When Audi came back in the 1960s even though none of the others were in production, it used the historic rings logo.
The whole running rotaries on two-stroke oil mix is kind of nice for the reason you are never worried about when to change your oil or where to dispose of it. Once you get used to premixing, its probably no big deal and overall pretty convenient. I would love to own an RX8 as my "fun" car. I've always had a soft spot for them.
You have to be monumentally stupid to pour the wrong oil into the wrong filler hole... if you can't read your owners manual or the label on a bottle of oil? You have no business servicing an automobile..
1.3 is tiny i would like to see a 4.5 liter rotary kinda sad mazda couldn't design a rotary that didn't burn oil. there has got to be mods to med that. 8:39 fails the scotty kilmer smooth test . wa wa waaa is there any other words for triangle ? tribox? trigon trihole
As the original owner of a 2005 now with 58k miles, I have to say this review is probably the best and most accurate I’ve ever seen in terms of aligning with my 18 years of ownership. Well done, sir! So glad I didn’t modify mine :-)
Do you premix?
@@nawmean I do not but I am considering starting. I’m worried about what it will do to my Cat, and in my county they test emissions, so I can’t just delete it. Am actually thinking about registering for a classic car plate, which will exempt me from emissions.
@@tominator7728 Historical License Plate must be at least 25 years old. Have you had any issues with your S1 thus far?
I sure miss my RX7!
I got a 04 6mt in copper red. 60k miles roughly. It is going to be used by my nieces while they are at college. their mum is puzzled. Their dad understands. I'm just not letting them be dependent on rides from lads in unknown cars and kinda raising the bar a bit for the boys. I think it's a move of genius. It's got 200 cell cat and k&n typhoon. Proper eibach suspension going in replacing eBay 💩. It's noisy as hell. It bright red and got the factory hid headlights. We will hear where the car is around the small town where they live. 😂
I've got a 2010 Series 2 RX-8 that I have been daily driving for 8 years. This car is super reliable as long as long as you know its quirks and upgrade the few deficiencies the original models had. Handling is amazing - worthy of a super sports car. The only real negative I have is the poor gas mileage (16 mpg in the city).
The FE2 is pretty stout if you know how to take care of it. My first 2004 actually went 102K with no issues before I sold it.
Mazda fans, let's gather and celebrate !! Never had the pleasure to own a rotary myself, only a 2016 2.2L diesel AWD 6 estate/wagon (yup, you never had this one in the US !), then I convinced my father to restore a 1990 NA, and right now my daily is a 2022 2.0L ND, but every time I visit my local Mazda shop, there's always a RX-8 in there. Legendary car.
I have wanted a diesel/manual 6 estate for years, but alas I'm in Canada and that would be a very expensive endeavour to get hauled over here. It's a tragedy Mazda never gave us such a combination
@@holmd90 The 6 estate is still today one of the finest cars ever designed in my mind. I got to drive it on some swiss and german snowy roads and man, the Mazda AWD system is no joke. The 2.2L 175hp is a good engine, my only gripe with it is that the diesel particulate filter regeneration cycle is too short (about 400 to 500km at most, mandatory for Euro6 rating I guess). But other than than great torquy and economical engine. Even the sound is nice !
I had a 1988 RX7 that I drove for six years!
I've owned my 05 rx8 since 2015, and I had my engine rebuilt just before the pandemic started. It being my first and only car I've ever owned I absolutely love it. It's a bit beaten up cosmetically, but it runs like a champ. I'm never letting it go.
How many miles before the rebuild ?
@Boom-rc5gl If I recall correctly it was around 130k ish. The person that rebuilt it believed it wasn't the original engine. That it had been replaced at some point before I bought it. But it lasted me a while with minimal issues. Until finally the low compression began to rear it's ugly head, and made hot starts nearly impossible.
The best review of an RX-8 *EVER!* I went through a Wankel phase from the late 1970s through mid-1980s where I owned a 1974 RX-4 Coupe, two different 1973 RX-2 Coupes, put a 12A engine into a 1973 MG Midget, and had a 1973 Hercules Wankel 2000 motorcycle.
I own a 2008 40th Anniversary Edition RX8 (only 1000 made like this in the world) . I bought it new in 2008 and now it is insured as a Classic Car for 150% of what I bought it for new in 2008, full value, no depreciation. I have owned seven rotary Mazdas since the 70's; one RX3, two RX4, all three generations of the RX7 with two of those RX7 modified by Racing Beat for the track. I easily have over a million rotary miles on street and track . Yes I have upgraded and improved my RX8, cooling modifications with Koyo-Rad radiator, Pettit Racing closed system, Racing Beat hoses, low temp thermostat, oil cooler low temp thermostats , low temp fan control, upgraded water pump, ; Mazdaspeed CAI, high performance BHR ignition coils and wires, upgraded starter, performance Cat and mid-pipe from Rotary Performance, BHR clutch pedal assembly, Series Two fuel pump upgrade, new clutch and engine (from Mazda warranty, no cost to me), new engine mounts, and a few other things. I also upgraded to Conti Contact DWS06+ tires. I will be keeping my 40th Anniversary Edition RX8 forever. Wish I could have kept them all. Nothing drives like a rotary. FYI, I use 5W-30W non-synthetic oil and yes I pre-mix. Cheers and best to you.
I love my RX-8. I bought it new in 2009. GT model. I’ve only put 9k miles on it.
Saw one getting on an on ramp in front of me last week. Sounded amazing as it got on the highway and hit the gas. If I was driving that I'd be on the gas through the on ramp turns the whole way.
my parents had an RX-8 when they were brand new and seeing those small rear doors open brought back a lot of memories for me. I remember getting in the back when I got picked up from school, and you're right it did feel like a rollercoaster ride! They (mostly my mom) definitely took it to redline a couple times haha. I've been wanting one myself ever since they got rid of it.
The guy I bought my Brembo calipers off of has a three rotor eunos cosmos sitting right in the front yard, and what’s even crazier is that it’s left hand drive because it comes from South Africa.
I thought they only sold the eunos cosmo in japan, making it RHD only?
@@2AMinLosAngeles nope! I thought the same thing until he gave me the low down about them.
Great video, thanks! Your review is honest and spot on (of course, looks are subjective), and I appreciate your enthusiasm for the rotary engine. I have owned a 2004 RX8 for 7 years and absolutely love it. Mine just gets driven for fun, has no modifications, and like you, makes me grin from ear to ear on every spin. It truly is an amazing car to drive, especially considering the age and it being stock. Mazda did a very impressive job. I am always on the lookout for an R3, which would be the only car I would move to. Thanks again.
Love this review and completely agree about the joy of keeping them stock with light mods, they are so much fun!
Still blows my mind that it didn't come with a spare tire by default. it was an optional add on that is hard to find now. I love my 04 though, one of the best cars I have owned!
I liked how these looked till the last refresh
I've owned three FCs and one FD. When the 8 came out, I test drove one, but the problem was that the FD had already ruined me for EVERY other car out there. There is only one way to look at the maintenance factor. Is it not fair to consider this car an exotic, especially today? In that light who cares if you have to (God forbid) keep an eye on your oil, use pre-mix, or even replace the engine once or twice in the car's life? Yes, the rotary can be a time-bomb. It has the torque of a 4 cylinder, the horsepower of a 6 cylinder, and the gas mileage of an 8 cylinder. Knowing this, there's only one way you could still love an engine like that. It, and the car it's in, has to be REALLY good. And, it really is. I believe the future of the rotary is in the Liquid Piston design, which supposedly addresses all of the Wankel rotary's inherent flaws. I seriously wonder if this is a twinkle in Mazda's eye, and if not, why??
It does not use that much oil. I have had 3 of them and you can get 2K to 2500 miles on a quart. On the dip stick from full to low is almost 2 quarts, hard to run it low between oil changes.
You have to be very gullible or just desperate to foolishly pour the wrong oil into the wrong filler hole...
Honestly, if you cannot read your owners manual or the label on a bottle of motor oil?
You have absolutely no business under the hood of any car and probably shouldn't own a car.
Mazda does not recommend premixing and only recommends 4-stroke motor with an API SL rating or better.
FYI; LiquidPiston is not a legitimate company, its notorious vaporware investment scam and they have never substantiated any of their ridiculous claims through independent, third-party laboratory testing.
@@rotart12arx3yep. My 03 bmw burns more oil then the 8
Man, I just bought one of these on Monday and here you are with a perfectly timed review!
I remember driving one of these when it was practically new. I loved just how smooth the rotary engine was. And the 6-speed annual wasn’t too bad either.
A few things, and this is coming from a rotary enthusiast of over 30yrs now. :-) 1st off, the NC actually took from the Rx8 platform. Since the RX8 came out before the NC. 2nd, you are correct in terms of the 8 being the most driveable. The rigidity of the chassis is what makes it feel this way. It has a number that surpasses alot of other high end vehicles on the market. Even today. This being said, it has had a very rocky existence due to alot of mechanical issues that will surface whether you're careful with it, or not.
I'm saying this because I've been planning on keeping my R3 since I got it 5yrs ago. It only had 51k km's on the clock and it was stock with the exception of having a Racing Beat catback. When I picked it up, I noticed the previous owner also swapped out the ignition coils for BHR's. Which was causing the vehicle to stop reving at about 7500rpm. It would just break up. I have since thrown that out and went back to stock. Regaining the full rev range. The Revision C coils is a must. However, I also noticed it took awhile for the engine to rev. Since it was running the stock cat still, running emissions on any rotary is a recipe for disaster. Changed out the headers and the midpipe when I decided to get rid of the emissions entirely. Racing beat headers and BHR midpipe. The car was completely different after that. It's ability to rev was significantly noticeable. Dare I say, it actually felt like a quick car now. Not fast, mind you. But quick. As it should've been. So here I am, hoping that'll be able to own this thing indefinitely. It now has 105k km's on the clock, and wouldn't you know it, circumstances have changed. Unfortunately I can't keep 2 rotary vehicles at the condition I want. And since I've owned my FD since I was 19, the 8 has to go.
Dont get me wrong, the 8 is a wonderful quick 2+2. Sometimes life throws you a curveball and you have to adapt. I'm going to miss her. Would I recommend her over an FD? No. But as a great commuter, definitely! :-)
Bullsh!tt!!! The SE chassis is a lengthen FE chassis, the RX8 is inferior due to its longer wheelbase and heavy sedan body.
The MX5 is the clearly superior platform, this is irrefutable.
The best selling sports car ever made and the best selling 2-seat convertible sports car in history.... it's the number one track car in the world.
The RX8 is without any question the worst RX model ever made and Mazda's most unreliable sedan it's ever made.
A 3 billion dollar failure that bankrupted Mazda, killed off the entire RX brand and destroyed the company's reputation.
It will be remembered as one of the great flops in automotive history like the Edsel and the Pontiac Aztec...
Good luck finding a sucker to buy that POS... the world is full of them I'm sure some hapless dolt will buy it from you.
When I was in high school, one of my classmates' older brother drove one of these. His sounded like a tractor and the suspension was completely worn out. He must have thought it was cool to drive it in that condition because he put a Japanese license plate on the front. You have to give Mazda credit for not giving up on the Wankel engine even with its many drawbacks. They're bringing it back as a range extender in the MX-30 compliance EV. It takes a dedicated owner to still have one of these on the road.
The radio has a circle because CDs were a big thing in 2004. Mazda also made a trim level of the Protege called the MP3 with a focus on the audio system.
Adendum I would recommend. With the oil injection, for reliability and lifetime of the engine, a SOHN adapter to inject 2-stroke or rotary oil is invaluable. It really lowers the chances of things fouling up
You have to be very gullible and niave to waste money on gimmicks like the useless Sohn adaptor... tampering with the OMP and using the wrong motor oil is just monumentally stupid.
I literally just bought one yesterday, 2006, 6 speed manual, loving it
I like the way you describe the handling of this car. I once heard Jeremy from Top Gear say it out-handles 350/370z, which says alot as those Nissans are legendary in their own right
I miss my 2004 rx8, the rotary on rotary hate was vicious, automatic and poor fuel mileage. I purchased a tune, upgraded coils and it wasn’t worth it. Sold it and the new owner ran it hard and lost compression
I love the RX8 styling since i was a kid imo
The new skyactive no rotary engines have that high long rev nature carried in that dna😁
8:33 you can clearly see it's a well balanced engine with no parts going up and down inverting their direction hundreds of times a second xD
Actually, Rx-8's chassis was designed before nc miata's. So NC's chassis is shortened version of the platform. Other than that, great review.
Thats completely false, the FE chassis predates the RX8 which used a lengthened FE chassis.
So many lovely triangles
04 Titanium Gray
2.5 years 30k miles
Daily driven/Tracked
Regularly redline, premix/sohn, periodic maintenance
only real problem Ive had has been coolant hoses ripping
this thing has been super reliable, always starts hot/cold and FUN
Liar...
I remember being in 7th grade my Uncle had one of these cars. Even when I was 12-13 I didn't fit in those back seats.
In the UK we didn't get the Automatic but if you had a 5 speed manual you got 189hp and the 6 speed manual got 231hp but the 189 had a little more torque
my granny almost got one but no dealership had one that wasnt manual so she just got another mustang.... i rly tried to help her find one since i was on my lil import phase at the time... i had a eclpise gsx
Great review, I'm in your area and I'm a big rotary guy. I've got 2 RX8's, one with a built street port motor, and one that's a work in progress:). You hit up any of the local events?
You should both try dieting and exercising together
I’ve always loved using those suicide doors getting into my dads Rx8.
DAYUM i found an RX-8 on the abandoned bakery while it was rusting away and when i opened i saw a V8 and a turbo i was completely shocked that car was abandoned i was so sad why a car was abandoned i love taking cars because it's like a human to and a buddy sad though i was caught Trespassing
I still prefer the RX-7’s. The RX-8 is a weird neither-fish-nor-fowl car, it’s got this four-door body-style as if it’s trying to be a Grand Tourer, yet it has an engine that burns oil, and has problems with unreliability. Plus, I’m not the biggest fan of the shape and size of the thing. Looks better than a MX-5 NC, though.
9:40 wait a second, the rx8 came out 3 years before the NC.. i guess it's the other way around
Proof rotary engines can be great power sources. They just need for one to understand their design, and maintenance characteristics. They just are not "dummy proof". As seen by the many Mazda RX-8's for sale for $500 because they need a new engine. Which can be hard to find for an RX-8 since I don't believe they are available new anymore? The RX-8 is a great car and testament to Mazda engineering. Curious, are their conventional engines that fit under the hood well as a replacement engine?
heard the cup holders get hot after a while. How hot do they get? And any ways to make it less hot?
Wow only 29k what a gem!
I’m not a big rotary guy and I don’t have a long history with them, but I absolutely love how the RX8 looks and I’d love to get my hands on one to LS swap it
Noooo don't say that. The LS loses the soul. It throws off the handling. The peppy, buzzy personality goes away. Just get a couple parts to improve that Renesis
LS swapping fixes all of the performance and reliability problems... better fuel mileage too!
@@blutygergaming8789The RX8 is a perfect candidate for an engine swap as most RX8 for sale already have a blown engine and can be bought for scrap prices.
@@sandervanderkammen9230 Nah
@@blutygergaming8789 Yeah, it is... true story.
Wankel engines suck! Even Mazda gave up on these weak, unreliable POS engines.
Most people don't appreciate what an RX-8 does best, which is to offer ride comfort that feels impossible considering the elite handling (eg, S2000s and FD RX-7s cannot/doesn't do this). It's more comfortable and handles better than a FRS/BRZ. The electric steering has supreme feedback and is even superior to BMW's F3x and G2x platforms'. You can play music with the throttle and the shifter feel is second to none. Trivia: RX-8s have carbon fiber propeller shafts, aluminum hood and rear doors for weight savings. The manual sport trim's curb weight falls under 3k lbs. Many high performance driving instructors have owned and praised RX-8s if you dig around. RX-8s command respect at technical circuits, but ridicule at drag strips.
I feel like if the Rx8 was designed differently it wouldn't have gotten as much hate. I mainly dislike it because it looks like a Pt cruiser.
It looks nothing like the past generation. Just my thoughts
Great car and review...I have a 2005...just planning on cooling mods like earlier fan and thermostat cut on
Terrible car, worst sedan Mazda ever made.
If you are smart? You would sell it ASAP
Very cool video .. I own a 2011 r3 in red. 60k miles
Love this review! What a blast! 😎😍
Actually buying one again after I sold one. Planning to just upgrade the radiator and move license plate to allow better flow. Then just toss on a Re-Amemiya Hood and wing and then daily it like a savage cause fuck it, i want to enjoy my cars.
Can't fix stupid...
I very recently got to see an NSU spider for the first time! It was at a “micro car meet” and boy does it belong there.
I’m excited for the matchbox rx8
Which one more fun civic or rx8? I wanna get one so let me know.
i have a 2004 rx8 and i dont have heated seats do you have a seperate model?
Why does every manual car have the cup holders behind the shifter? How are you supposed to use them without spilling your drink?
That is more of a US thing because people use to go everywhere and almost live in their cars sometimes. In Europe we don't usually drink or eat that much in a car. Mine does not have them there, they are in the back center console in the back seats
Had a chance to ride in one and boy it is such a blast this car. My mindset is that they're somewhat fragile and needy but I recognize the fanbase for Mazda RX models and the popularity these engines have despite the flaws. And the sound is simply unmatched by anything else.
Slow, fugly and extremely unreliable, without any doubt the worst sedan Mazda ever made.
@@callmeedaddy The lesson of this story is never buy a Mazda... the smallest, least successful of all the Japanese automakers has the lowest customer loyalty rate for a very good reason.... they're junk.
RX-4 is my favorite
You should get out more...
Worth a lot more now if you have a good one.
@@rotart12arx3 Scrap metal prices are down...
I know where one is. Sitting.
I purchased a hot wheels version of this car, so now I'm here looking at how it looks in real life 😂
This year marks 20 year anniversary to the RX-8
This year marks the 11th anniversary of the end of the RX brand and the end of Wankel engine production at Mazda.
*I'm going to modify my S2...*
Hybrid FTW.
I liked the practicality and looks of this but just couldn’t get over the problematic rotary engine.
What wheels were on that blue RX7?
A woman in my neighborhood has a gray/silver one...not sure if it is auto or manual though.
Bro Mazda 6 2003 please
I have been saying for years that the RX-8 is a sweeter handling chassis than the FD. I have a bone stock R3 that handles incredibly as-is.
You need to test drive scars that actually handle well... even the MX5 handles better than RX8, the sedan body longer wheel base ruins the SE platform
@@sandervanderkammen9230 I own an MX-5 and the RX-8 is a better handling car for the driving I like to do on back roads. I will give you that the MX-5 is a better autocross car. On real roads the RX-8 is better than the MX-5 and FD RX-7 IMO "because of" the longer wheelbase.
@@JanMichaelFranklin You sir are very confused and misinformed, the MX5 and the RX8 share the same SE platform with the RX8 having a heavier sedan body and a longer WB that ruins the handling.
The MX5 is the best selling Mazda sports car ever and the best selling 2-seat convertible sports car in history, it is the most popular track car in world today.... the RX8 is a frumpy, slow sedan popular among hairdressers and LBGTQ+ people who can't afford a Tesla.
The RX8 was the worst selling sedan in Mazda's history and a 3 billion dollar failure that bankrupted the company and killed off the entire RX brand.
@@callmeedaddy Long wheel base is good for touring cars that have impressive top speeds... the RX8 is not a touring car, it's a compact sedan... and it has very disappointing top speed.
Excellent review.
If u got an RX-8 swap the POS renessis.. for a RX-7 rotory. Or cosmo
By the 2000s, everything in a car was run by computer, so we didn't need to manually adjust things
NSU wasn't a ring in the Audi logo. Those rings represented Wanderer, Horch, DKW and Audi and come from the 30s. This was Auto Union before the war split it up (the factories were in East Germany and thus they continued to make cars for the eastern bloc.) When Audi came back in the 1960s even though none of the others were in production, it used the historic rings logo.
Gotta convince the inlaws to let you review their r100
OH BOY YES
The whole running rotaries on two-stroke oil mix is kind of nice for the reason you are never worried about when to change your oil or where to dispose of it. Once you get used to premixing, its probably no big deal and overall pretty convenient. I would love to own an RX8 as my "fun" car. I've always had a soft spot for them.
The two stroke oil put in the gas tank is separate from the engine oil. You still need to change your engine oil every 3,000 - 5,000 miles.
You have to be monumentally stupid to pour the wrong oil into the wrong filler hole... if you can't read your owners manual or the label on a bottle of oil?
You have no business servicing an automobile..
R8x came before the nc miata no?
That RX8 needs new engine mounts…
What about a turbo though 🤔
Does the RX8 make the beep when you hit red line like the FB RX7 does? I just think that’s so cool.
Yup!
Great video ❤
Thanks
Those misaligned strakes bother me lol!
The RX8 is more Fugly than a cheap plastic garden shed
Hey, test drive an '88 Fiero GT with 5 speed getrag.
2004 to 2008 has 2 oil ports per chamber. 2009 to 2011 has 3 oil ports per chamber.
They both have unreliable apex and side seals...
Pipe dream is to get an old Mazda rotary truck and run it in local parades.
Fun fact the driveshaft of this car is carbon fiber
From factory
Fun Fact: the Renesis is the most unreliable automobile engine made in the 21st. century.
Technically the RX8 came out before the NC, so not sure which car is based on which car.
The FE RX7 was designed before the RX8, the RX8 is extended for the 4-Door sedan body
1.3 is tiny i would like to see a 4.5 liter rotary
kinda sad mazda couldn't design a rotary that didn't burn oil.
there has got to be mods to med that.
8:39 fails the scotty kilmer smooth test . wa wa waaa
is there any other words for triangle ?
tribox?
trigon
trihole
that would be pretty similar to the 4 rotor in the 787B which sure was an engine
when did Dom ever drive a rx7
Unfortunately, rotary engines are not as reliable as regular engines
They're garbage unfortunately.
this probably needs a new engine mount
Need a new car... that thing is a POS
You look like you're lying down flat while driving lol!
Before Mazda went this new luxury route, they use to make really fun iconic cars
Twin-Turbo and Twincharged do not mean the same thing
Did I say something was twin charged?
This was not meant to be aggressive lol Im just wondering if I missed something!
@@ShootingCars I coulda sworn I heard you say Twincharged when introducing the FD, lemme go back and make sure I heard it right
I don't remember hearing that. Let us know when the medication kicks in...
5:03 - that is the sound of a ruined car approaching. It's also the signal that the driver is probably poor at conversation and personal finances.
The rear doors are called the freestyle door system, not "suicide doors". As a rotary enthusiast yourself, you should know better.
its pronounced, "van-kel" not wankel.