Editors' Roundtable: 2009 Mazda RX-8 GT
The Mazda RX-8 continues to have us puzzled as to why more of these aren’t on the road. No, the rotary engine isn’t four-season friendly, and neither is the car’s rear-wheel-drive, but when the weather is right, the RX-8 really shines. For 2009, a re-worked exterior sports a slightly more aggressive fascia, and while our Grand Touring model doesn’t have all of the beefy visual add-ons found on the R3 (a new model for ’09), we still had a lot of fun throwing this Mazda into bends and revving the twin-rotor engine way up past 8000 rpm.
(Click through the post to read our full notes on the RX-8.)
Chris Paukert
Editor-In-Chief
The last time I drove an RX-8, it was in decidedly wet and frigid, and the driving experience was every bit as unpleasant as the weather. The RX-8 I drove last year was so cold that it felt like the gearbox and suspension were filled with molasses, the car rode hard and creaked and flexed noticeably over rough pavement (leading me to suspect the robustness of the chassis), and the 1.3-liter rotary lacked its characteristic quick-revving fizz. Even the defroster was uncooperative.
What a difference a change in weather makes.
Whether down to the update for 2009 or the markedly better climate conditions, this was the RX-8 we were promised: With useful—but not exactly overwhelming—power from the zero-inertia Wankel, excellent steering feel and accuracy (perhaps the best electrically-assisted setup we’ve encountered), and easily modulated brakes, the RX-8 was a willing dance partner. Further, the structure felt stiffer, evincing only a hint of chassis flex. It might have been the warmer temperatures, or it might have been the new trapezoidal front strut brace and rear suspension fiddling, but our tester was an unbridled joy on back roads and a sensible ride over Detroit’s badly broken pavement.
I definitely wouldn’t want this to be a year ‘round ride, but for about three seasons in these parts, this would be a boatload of fun. Bring on the R3, please.
Seyth Miersma
Senior Editor
It has been a while now since the eye-catching design and innovative four-door (two and two-half doors?) layout of the RX-8 was helping to generate a lot of ink for Mazda, but the car is no less spectacular for the maturity. One of the reasons is that the RX-8 has rather timeless driving dynamics, with perfect weight distribution, a near complete lack of body roll, and some of the most sublimely nimble steering I’ve yet had the pleasure to sample. The six-speed manual was a fine complement to this package, offering accurate and super-fast shifts through the Wankel engine rotor-shaped (re: a sort of curvy triangle) shift lever. The clutch pedal was far too light for my liking, however.
The 1.3-liter rotary engine won’t overwhelm anyone with its urge—though it has a rather addictive, turbine-like howl at high revs—the Mazda feels as though it could keep up with just about anything on any road more interestingly shaped than pin-straight.
Meanwhile the rear-opening half doors are as useful as ever, not only for passengers, but also for the assorted laptop bags, groceries, and miscellanea that follow us through life. More sports car shoppers should consider the RX-8.
Nate Luzod
Art Director
Despite having driven one on three separate occasions, I never really "got" the RX-8 until this most recent drive. In the vehicle's defense, every time prior was in rain, and a car like this has no surprises in store as far as coping with inclement weather is concerned.
The triangular shape of the small, palm-of-your-hand short throw shifter takes some getting used to, but is actually quite ergonomically friendly. The 232-horsepower, 1.3-liter rotary engine revs high and it does so quickly. Smooth acceleration from first to second takes some practice and is best worked on without your moody girlfriend riding shotgun. Second gear to 3rd is surprisingly smooth, and fourth and fifth gear are where the car seems to shine. The high-pitched whine of the engine at 8000 rpm is interesting to say the least, but probably not a selling point for this driver.
Handling is tight and the car feels wider and sportier than it actually looks. 80 miles-per-hour is effortless, and the car's confidence at speed encourages you to push the annoying digital speedometer closer and closer to triple digits. That said, the vehicle's inside is reasonably comfortable and well-styled, though there are some areas drivers are likely to take issue with.
The low seating position has us peering out over what seems to be a massive nose, and the Zoom-Zoom styled bulbous wheel wells only accentuate this. That, coupled with not great rear visibility may make for more-careful-than-necessary lane changing, but the entertainment value of the drive more than makes up for this.
Steven J. Ewing
Production and Test Fleet Manager
Although I was only able to spend a few moments in the RX-8, I was reminded of how much I really enjoy driving this little car. It’s a good alternative to a Nissan 350Z, and the added rear doors make it more useful than one would imagine. This car is immensely fun to throw into tight bends with excellent response from the steering wheel, and the six-speed manual transmission is a real joy to use. While the R3 will be the pure enthusiast’s choice, this GT model is still quite stylish and refined without being over-the-top bold. If I lived in a warmer climate, I’d love to have one in my garage.
2009 MAZDA RX-8 GRAND TOURING
Engine: Rotary, 1.3 liters, 2 rotors
Output: 232 hp/159 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed manual
0-60 MPH: 5.9 seconds (est.)
Top Speed: 155 mph (electronically limited)
Weight: 3064 lb
Price as Tested: $34,570
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Comments
VII
SO! I'm going to explain why the RX8 hasn't been really selling since it's introduction (and never will), from a tuners perspective (which is the type of person Mazda should be making this car for, NOT older, 'mature' drivers, or 'cool' moms). It's actually quite simple...
Although the RX8's driving characteristics are purely sporty Mazda, and thus wonderful...it's just simply not fast enough.
Now this would be fine if the car could be kanoodled with like the rest of the Japanese sports cars...but it can't! The easiest way to inject a car with needed spunk is through forced induction, but the Renesis hates forced induction, and will show you how much when it blows it's apex seals when force-fed. I'm sure this could be solved with drilling some extra exhaust ports, but for the most part, extreme modification of critical engine parts is an undertaking that 99% of people are uncomfortable with. Especially seeing as there are big twin turbo kits for the VQ (350Z/G35/FX35/etc. motor), good for up to 700 ponies, that practically bolt right on for under seven large. Now that may be a bit overkill, but the fact is that it's there. It's an option. The RX8 has no such option. If you know you can't do anything to your car to make it faster it better be fast as hell already or adequately fast and good on gas. The RX8 is neither.
For the most part, the only people who buy this car are level-headed individuals who don't enjoy 'spirited driving' and are simply looking to purchase something that differentiates them from the rest of the herd. Face it, 90% of all Mercs sold in the world are black, so what does that say about people caring that they look like everyone else? Mercedes owners see things as, "As long as those, 'everyoneelses' are all looked at like they might have a good deal of money, who cares?"
In the case of people who purchase sports cars, sad to say, but most people don't know a damn thing about clipping an apex, thus all the normal members of the herd care about when looking at sports cars is horsepower. And they need to feel this horsepower...they need TORQUE! And the RX8 barely has more torque than my D15 powered gas sipping '94 Civic hatch...and weighs almost twice as much. That's pathetically saddening.
Now if you're still looking into feeling 'different' then you would have to also not care too much about gas mileage (in addition to enjoying being slow)...But what? Oh, the Mazda engineers are mumbling about how the Renesis was developed with fuel economy in mind (which is why it isn't too powerful), but once again, the simple fact is that it doesn't really accomplish this at all. Comparable sports cars have more usable power and get the same, if not better, mileage. So yeah, go back into your cubicals for a time out.
The saddest fact is that people that fit the, 'potential RX8 owner' description are few and far between, especially now. If you happen to be out looking for a sports car that's under 40K, that you aren't planning to tune, and don't exactly like looking fully the part of a boy racer, then you'd get something like a G35...and most people do. Who cares that you pass 25 G35/37s in the space of an hour on the highway? It's a good looking and performing car, and that's a unanimous agreement. The RX8 is...interesting. Pretty and/or handsome don't really come quickly to mind though...neither does, 'manly'. Much more often than not I hear it being referred to as, 'cute'...from little girls. Sadly, Mazda seems to be unable to shake this curse, and the infection that started with the Miata has crept upstream to the RX8. The revision has done nothing to make it look more masculine, but it has made it less cute...it's also made it border on ugly.
If you're doubtful of my opinion's accuracy, just compare the FD (RX7) to the RX8...yeah, incomparable. How do you replace something like the FD3S, with some-thing like the RX8? Yeah, I know...bloody bad idea right? Until Mazda throws a proper, performance oriented rotary, preferably accompanied by twins (two turbos), or at least a supercharger of some sort into the RX8, they aren't going to make any real profit, nor will they gain the much needed respect/cult following of the young boys and 20 to 30 somethings that they used to have firmly within their grasp when they still made the RX7. Mazda made the RX8 with a completely wrong mindset by trying to appeal to too many theoretical markets, when they should have stuck to making a flagship sports car. I guess in the end it was because of the pursuit of more potential customers, as it is for all manufacturers who lose sight of the simple joy of making a good sports car (*cough*cough*Subaru*cough*Mitsu*cough*bishi).
Biggie said it best, "More money, more problems"...
~TheDarkWind
mo
totally agree with you, I actually mentioned this a while ago. A 2002 RX7, even though it is 6 years old, can kick the ass of an RX8. Mazda should provide an RX7. the RX8 is just spoiled girls car.
VII
Thanks youu :) Spoiled girls car indeed!
~TheDarkWind
Anonymous
I'll take the new commaro please
Ducati Minor
I prefer the RX-8 over the 7 and I'm as much a man as anyone here--a whole nine inches (it's winter). Just ask my mom...even though she seems to be visiting her close friend, Betty Ford.
I didn't read VII's long op-ed because I lost interest after the first paragraph. Most of my concentration was devoted to my scan of the Craigslist classifieds for a new Brazilian masseur. My old one was deported.
The Mazda RX-8 has three easy problems: price, power, and reliability. The RX-8 has suffered from a terrible rep in reliability studies. The RX-8's price, in the upper-twenties, puts it out of the range on most younger buyers. For $25K (now even cheaper), you can purchase a Ford Mustang with a 300 hp 4.6 L V-8. That leads into the issue of power--there isn't enough.
The RX-8's superb handling, unusual suicide doors, and fluid styling (very Japanese) caught my eye since it debuted. It's a shame I couldn't find a new one with the equipment I wanted for under $30K. I would go more into it, but the drugged-out gal near me (and her mean-looking Arab friend) are beginning to wig out.
mo
"but the drugged-out gal near me (and her mean-looking Arab friend) are beginning to wig out."
exactly to my point it is a girls car.
Ducati Minor
It wasn't the girl it was the Arab...
VII
Whoo...*whisper*overcompensate much?*whisper*
So what do ya got in the garage? Got a fortitude lenghtening 1000whp Supra? Turbo 'busa? lol I bet you ride without a helmet too! You're my hero!! *_* LOL It's cool man...
~TheDarkWind
Ducati Minor
Complement me all you want, you still can't have me or get me to read your full post.
Anonymous
Too many consumers buy into one or two things specifically, not a blend of everything working well.
Really, how many car owners car about weight of a vehicle? how well it handles?
Most people in this price range think of raw horsepower or room.
There just isn't too much of a market for people wanting certain driving dynamics with so many compromises in reliability, room, power.
And, I know it's blasphemy, but that Rx8 is just a 300hp v6 away from meeting/beating competition. A 3200 4 seat car with some power and exclusivity? With near similar handling?
Yes please.
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