From the pics the car looks big, I know everyone says it is smaller than it looks in pics.

So finally I did a comparison with my current car (2000 Tiburon).

Head room is LESS! 2inches less that is crazy! leg room is less around 2 inches as well.

Now this is for the front, for the rear the RX8 has more leg room about 3 inches and more headroom 4 inches.

Now I can image it's size more as the RX8 is only a few inches longer than my current car. Which is pretty small!

I don't think I'll have a problem fitting as I lean my seat back, but I can see how some have problems, since I'm only 5'9" and my tiburon doesn't have TONS of room and the RX8 is shorter!

For a while I also thought the RX8 was bigger than it actually is. It wasn't until I saw a picture a while back of someone standing next to it did I realize how small it acutally was.

A car that is about the same size is the 911, which is a good car to reference it to.

Of course to beat the headroom issue into the ground, as I mentioned I didn't fit in a preproduction RX-8, but I have plenty of headroom in a 911, so...

I went to Mazda dealer on Glebe Road in Arlington, Va. last night and two RX8s had arrived a few hours before, one silver and one black. The dealer ship owner was driving the new black, so I didn't see it, but the silver one was on the showroom floor and I was able to get a good look.

I agree that in the front driver's seat, my head (I was wearing a baseball cap, but I'm only 5'7 tall and my head was virtually touching the roof of the car. I then lowered the power seat, and it was a little better, but the overall feel in front to me at least is small and cozy. The car had sunroof. Perhaps w/o it, there would be slightly more headroom. I agree that backs seats are ok for anyone 5'10 or below, but it is cozy.

I haven't taken measurements, but my 1985 Toyota Supra feels roomier in front, but seating in back is not as good as RX8 back seats. I don't think RX8 is too small and cramped but based on what I have been reading on this board and other review, I was expecting a bit more room in front.

The only other thing I noticed that I was not completely satisfied with was the angle of the steering wheel. I think it is too low. Not a deal breaker, but perhaps Mazda will make mid year change or change for 2005. Also would like analog speedometer.

Will try to test drive this weekend.

Originally posted by BillK
Of course to beat the headroom issue into the ground, as I mentioned I didn't fit in a preproduction RX-8, but I have plenty of headroom in a 911, so...
I wasn't talking about interior space, but relative size and exterior size. Sorry about the misleading info.:)

Originally posted by drewhat
The only other thing I noticed that I was not completely satisfied with was the angle of the steering wheel. I think it is too low.

? it doesn't have tilt steering??

yeah it does, but i think he means set down to low to the floor on the shaft, cause you can adjust it quite a bit
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