MAZDA RX-8 (2003) / Is it time to change your thinking about rotaries? 

The RX8 is underappreciated, underrated, misused and misunderstood. Thanks for bringing fair and thorough insight to the car.

I have owned seven rotaries since the seventies: one RX3; two RX4; all three generations of RX7 (all boosted, one boosted and race-prepped by Racing Beat in the USA); and a 2008 40th Anniversary Edition RX8. I easily have over a million rotary miles driven on street and track. To correct you, the manual transmission RX8 in the USA were six-speed, not five speed like my 2003 FD RX7. And the USA-spec 2008 40th Anniversary Edition RX8 had most of all the mechanical upgrades of the Series Two, minus the different gear ratio, new fuel pump and extra gallon capacity in the fuel tank and 18-inch wheels , not the 19 inch.ones available in the Series Two. . My 40th Anniversary Edition has the Bilstein shocks and more. Only 1000 were made in USA-specs. I have made many performance upgrades for more power (still normally aspirated), better cooling (Koyo-Rad radiator, with Racing Beat hoses), better higher performance ignition (BHR), high performance cat and mid-pipe, Series Two fuel pump, upgraded starter, upgraded water pump, lower temp thermostats for a closed Pettit Racing cooling system, and lower temp oil cooler thermostats, strengthened clutch pedal assembly, and more. It is still driven, and its condition and rarity has earned it classic car status with Hagerty Insurance, fully insured for far more than new, with no depreciation, and I just had the paint corrected, clay bar, polished and multi-layer ceramic coated. Wish I could have kept all my rotaries . My race-prepped, ported and boosted RX7 achieved 185mph on the banking at Pocono race track. I was part of the Mazda RX7 team at Daytona with the first racing versions finishing 1-2 in class at the 1979 24 Hours of Daytona and fifth and sixth overall, only bested by three higher class Porsche 935/79 and one higher class Ferrari 365 GTB/4. Cheers, enjoying your videos and your experiences from down under.

As a 6'5" tall driver , who also owns a Rx7 S2 , with a S5 Turbo 13B , I can attest to Ric's comments , the RX8 is way more rewarding to steer and stop , you just miss the extra 100 hp of turbo torque , to punch you out of corners at the track . The RX8 is the sports car bargain of the 2000's in my opinion . Great review !

Clarkson loved this model Rx8 when he drove it on top gear.

Another great video, watching Ric drive is poetry in motion, and the RX8 looks as much fun as my old MX5 but with actual comfort and more performance

I enjoy driving mine, being 6,6’ in tall I could fit into my series 2 RX7s but when it came time to get into a rotary again I can’t fit into an FD and older rotary models were very expensive as well as parts eg Rx3s and so on. In the older cars rust under paint or hiding elsewhere was a concern. I never thought I’d buy an RX8 but I fit ok and its fairly comfortable, safer, handles really well. The RX8 I drive has been modified by myself in some areas which has improved the entire driving experience.

I owned a 2009 R3 coolest car ever i've had. I had to replace the toasted heater core by pulling the interior I thought about posting the tutorial for other owners.

A great way to start the morning. Coffee and incarnation. Great to see Ric as well

I have a 2011 r3. I love these cars

Zoom Zoom Zoom! MAZDA FOREVER BOYS! 👍✌️👍

Spot on with the thirsty rotary, travelling from Sydney to Adelaide our car handled the road really well, but most people we passed trotted on by when we were in the servos, they do like a rev and boy is it addictive. Yes we still have it. The back of the rx8 is where my then 6 year old son fell in love with rotaries and as 21 year old he has a couple. 😊

I loved owning my rx8 there fantastic cars. Owned one for 3 years starting in 2019 and had no mechanical issues. Only used it on weekends. Ended up selling it as it was time to move onto new things. If you don’t do your research and make sure you buy the right one then they can really bite the wallet.

Had my ‘05 for over 13 years and put over 40K miles on it. Wish I still had her! On my fourth (!) MX-5 now; great car, but my RX-8 was the best car I ever owned. Started right up each and every time and was as reliable as my refrigerator or dishwasher.

Definitely need to see more of legends like Rick Shaw. 👍

The most confident inspiring car I’ve ever owned. Unlike my 911 where I worry when I approach a corner at high speed.

A special car. Thanks for going over it. Played with one on the switch back mountain roads in hawaii. Good times. Rick should never give up that hair cut 😂

here in the states , you can find these for under $5,000 ALL DAY LONG in fairly decent condition ( 7/10 ) etc. and "non-runners" pop up with IMMACULANT paint / interiors for under $1500. that usually just need to be "de-flooded" or basic servicing ( even though the owners sware up and down that the engine needs to be rebuilt ). If i didnt already have 3 project cars already , i would have added a rx8 to my "stable" a LONG time ago. but trying to juggle a 95 mustang gt , a 2zz swapped 86 aw11 and a 01 2zz swapped mr2 spyder with no garage gets exhausting lol.

Great review. I learned a lot of what I didn't know about these cars. I want one.

i owned one, a 2004 Type-E… even a non-turbo n an automatic car, it’s still a fun car to drive..light, quick n responsive.. but it does drinks a lot..i only fed it with RON97 plus 2T oil.

I have always wanted one but the fuel consumption stopped me just like how I've always wanted a V8. On your last review you mentioned that they have the feel of a Porsche, you nearly had me there.

Why can't they just make a new reliable version of the RX8? And a convertible version too. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

RX8 IS THE BEST DRIVERS CAR ON EARTH. IT'S SO RELIABLE TOO IF YOU CHANGE THE OIL EVER 3K MILES WITH A QUALITY CONVENTIONAL OIL AND PREMIX A BIT EACH FILL UP. MAKE SURE TO WARM HER UP GOOD BEFORE YOU GET INTO IT, AND WHEN SHE'S HOT, REV HER OUT AND ENJOY IT! (MAKE SURE TO USE WATER WETTER TO KEEP COOLANT TEMPS NICE)

R3 ride is extraordinary. Check it out.

Bad boys engine...but with good care...its make's your day great....

great video!

thanks for this revue , would you say this could be used as a daly driver ?

I’ve always wanted one but heard too many horror stories about this car

Many rx8 can be found but unfortunately most state that the engine has gone bad

Not smelly. So you don't have a midpipe?

7:28

Spends fuel like a 5L Mustang and gives out 200 horse power. Yeah. No.

Stop saying it's a good car, you're gonna drive up the prices on my spares....🤫

6:04

Fun fact: In the Netherlands, all rotaries are exempt from exhaust gas checking. You could have a decat and fly through MOT like its nothing.

really enjoyed this video. Would love to see more of Rick! He is a natural!

A man gets his hair cut when its long enough to collect gearbox oil. Nice review.

I've driven one that was really cheap on fuel. If you have experience and knowledge of performance 2 stroke engine's you will understand these. The only downfall is the ridiculous prices people are asking and the price of a rebuild kit.

I own my RX8 for 3 years, just as a summer weekend car. I love it. Always puts a smile on my face. No problems so far and it has 119‘000km.

I liked my old RX7 but you are right about the drinking problem! I think my 928 used less fuel!

Had mine for 3 years and love it! A shame its so thirsty, so it’s not my daily driver….

A redline day keeps the rebuild away, cheers Graham

Great video and review. As an owner of a 04 model I agree with everything said here. Mine has 40k, totally stock and we are in love. Why are they referred to as 1.3L when there are twin rotors, making them 2.6L. Here in the UK, my RX8 Renesis is classed as a 2.3L. And BTW we do have 6 speed gear boxes here too. Thanks, I enjoyed this.

What should i get rx8 or Bmw130i?

Crazy in the states you can find rx8s for 3-4000$ us dollars running