I owned an RX8 for 2 years. There is no question it's the best looking sexiest Mazda out there. Several problems though that led me to get rid of it. First off, the car was a BLAST to drive. I happen to like high revving, I also like torque, This car is so smooth, and accelerates very nicely. The problem is it's only pushing out about 180whp on average, so it's power has always been overrated.
This car most definitely handles better then a Speed 3, but the power disadvantage will cause it to lose serious ground. It's a sports car, and it's a VERY niche vehicle, so it's not gonna appeal to a mass of enthusiasts like the MS3. Performance always seems to outweight looks with the types of people on these boards, and understandably.
However, it's really a great car. My main problem was, having to take it to the dealership constantly. I did buy it when it first came out, so there were lots of bugs to be worked out, but it drove me mad.
In a straight line, that car lacks, but I tell ya, the handling is outstanding. It's just built so well. You give that car equal power to that of the Speed 3, and it will DESTROY it it at any track. Unfortunately, that's a mute point because the car is what it is.
I still miss that car because it's the best looking machine I may ever own. The stares and drools when I got it, especially since it was hardly seen yet were ASTOUNDING. People just gawked at it. It's a looker, with decent power, great handling, and pure refinement. Takes a unique type of person to commit to a car like that, and I was not that person, but that engine in a MIATA? DREAMLAND. It's so smooth. Yeah it guzzles gas, but it's just so unique, and I hope people can respect the car for what it is, even though it doesn't meet most people's tastes regarding straght line power.
In the end, the car just has failed, because of the power. Forced induction on a rotary is fabulous performance wise, but it's just extremely unreliable, and Mazda had no choice. I'm still glad they brought it back, but there's a reason why they never made an official Mazdaspeed RX8. THe FD RX7 was a reliability nightmare, and there are still people out there that love the RX8 for what it is, so I still give props to Mazda on this remarkable car.
