A History of the RX-8 and why it isn't as Bad as Everyone Says

1st Generation (2003-2008)

The first generation of the RX-8 was released the year after the final departure of the beloved RX-7 in Japan, and it left many people disappointed. The successor replaced the twin turbos of the previous car with natural aspiration, despite keeping the same sized 1.3L 2 rotor engine. Mazda gave this new version of the 13B a new name as well, the RENESIS. Ignoring the terrible automatic options, which had reduced power outputs and redlines, there were 2 basic drivetrain combinations available around the world: The standard trim, not available in North America, which had 189hp and a 5 speed manual because of a reduced 7500rpm redline, and the high power trim, which put out 237hp and had a 6 speed manual and had the 9000rpm redline. The first gen also had a few notable special editions, not all will be included.

RX-8 Shinka Edition

The Shinka edition was a decently high production special edition, with 2150 built, almost three quarters of which were sold in North America. The Shinka edition was marketed as a more luxurious option than the standard RX-8, with the same engine and 6 speed manual, but also an exclusive “Cherry Mica” exterior and “Parchment” leather interior. The car also had slightly chromed wheels and modified shocks and front cross member for more comfortable ride quality.

RX-8 Evolve Edition

The Evolve edition was the first UK only special edition, only 500 were made as a sportier looking model with several exterior modifications including chrome exhaust tips, darker headlights, and darker wheels. The interior was even more special with dark leather and Alcantara seats and trim. It was available in two colors, “Copper Red Mica”, which Mazda chose for 400 of the cars, and the much rarer “Phantom Blue Mica” you see in the picture, which only 100 of the cars have.

RX-8 PZ Edition

Probably the peak of the special editions for the first generation, the PZ edition was UK exclusive and was developed by Mazda in conjunction with Prodrive, as well as Bilstein, Eibach, and OZ Racing. Only 800 were made, each featuring exclusive OZ Racing 10 spoke wheels, smaller mirrors to reduce drag, blacked out grilles, a spoiler, carbon fiber “Prodrive” badges on the spoiler and wheels, a custom Prodrive exhaust system, and serious suspension changes in the form of Bilstein dampers with Eibach springs.

2nd Generation (2009-2012)

The second generation RX-8 was mostly a facelift, although the chassis rigidity was also improved as well as the rear suspension. Gear ratios were shortened, acceleration was better, and the engine had slightly revised oil injection. The main models available were the Sport and Grand Touring trims, a naming system Mazda used for many cars around that time. The Sport trim was more basic and had very few options, but the same high powered engine while the Grand Touring trim had more luxurious interior and more options. There were very few special editions for the second generation, and only one was sold outside of Japan.

RX-8 R3

The R3 was not quite a special edition as much as a package you could get, it wasn’t limited edition but it was the most expensive model. It had Bilstein shocks and a modified front cross member, bigger and more aggressive wheels and high performance tires, and an aggressive bodykit. The R3 wasn’t very limited production but is still highly sought after and expensive.

The problems people talk about having with RX-8’s are very overblown, with proper care they are as reliable as any other rotary and far more fuel efficient, especially in the second generation cars. The basic models can be picked up cheap, so for someone who wants an intro into the rotary world without going quite as basic as an FB or FC, the RX-8 is the logical choice, just be prepared for the typical issues with rotaries and do your research.

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This content was originally posted by a Car Throttle user on our Community platform and was not commissioned or created by the CT editorial team.

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Comments

Anonymous

I never thought they’re bad cars…just never liked the looks.great article!

01/16/2017 - 07:08 |
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Anonymous

Im sorry to say this but the article has bin named completly wrong as i came hear to read why the rx8 aint such a bad wich it isnt but all im reading is wich versions there are and then in the end you just say in the end the rx8 is a good basic choice aslong as your prepaired for problems
From what i see this is more a list of different versions and has nothing todo with “why it isnt that bad “ its still nice to read but please title the articles differently in the future

01/16/2017 - 07:15 |
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ah00t13

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Thanks for the input, someone else told me this as well and I will make sure to do it differently in the future, I wrote the article I wanted to write but I titled it incorrectly

01/16/2017 - 17:10 |
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Anonymous

“with proper care they are as reliable as any other rotary”…

01/16/2017 - 08:45 |
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Denis Abdihodzic

My uncle had one…. legend. I was about 6 when he revved it to 9k with me in for he back seat. The noooise my god

01/16/2017 - 08:45 |
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Naaa na i think i was 4 or 5 because he was actually the very first person in switzerland to purchase one back in 2004 i believe

01/16/2017 - 08:46 |
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Anonymous

I had one, loved it for the week I had it until someone T-Boned me at a junction (wrote off) :(. The engine is so much fun! Mine was a 2004 231 with 40K miles, well maintained etc. Only paid £1900 for it, absolute bargain!!

01/16/2017 - 08:56 |
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Anonymous

Truthfully I loved the RX-8. As a teenager I fell for its good looks with the RX-8 concept on Project Gotham Racing. Then I went to work for Mazda and my love deepened. Then I owned one. To start with I was so happy. Then reality set in. For every day road use they are absolutely shocking. At motorway speeds they are as boring to drive as a Mazda 3 (I know because I’ve owned one of them too), in traffic the clutch becomes an instrument of torture. True they had 237bhp but that stood for nothing when it only had 157lb-ft torque which was the same as the N/A Mazda 6 Sport (I know because I’ve owned one of them too) as a result to get it to go anywhere you were constantly on the redline which despite one some people are saying, would empty the fuel tank in around 200 miles. Don’t get me wrong I think they’re good cars but they could have been better. They could have made it a completely different animal by strapping on a turbo. Instead they played it safe.

01/16/2017 - 09:17 |
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Guss De Blöd

I had an Rx-8, it’s not bad at all… the engine needs some love, but it’s a very good car, and very fun to trice. Plus, it has more room than what you expect. I travelled with 3 people onboard, 2 of them were 1m80 tall, and we were fine.

01/16/2017 - 09:56 |
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Anonymous

I’ve always loved the RX 8. And I love the renesis, yes it isn’t as powerful as the almighty FC twin turbo, but it also is really really fun to drive. I would love to place that engine in my na mx5 someday.

01/16/2017 - 11:55 |
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James Martin

“as reliable as any other rotary”

01/16/2017 - 12:11 |
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prizrak

Other cars available at the time for similar price:
350Z
S2000
S197 (05-14) Mustang

All faster than the RX-8, more reliable than the RX-8 and at least on par handling wise (Well not the Mustang)

01/16/2017 - 13:14 |
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Well in the US maybe…. In the Eastern EU a 350Z cost 3.5 times more the S2000 is just double the price minimum and that mustang is around 5 times the price of an RX-8.

01/16/2017 - 13:33 |
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Of course, if you’re buying them secondhand you can get an RX-8 for slightly more than the price of a bag of chips.

01/16/2017 - 13:57 |
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