The RX8 received and Honorable Mention

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/mostwanted/2005/103353/article.html?tid=edmunds.e.wanted05.content..1.*

Summary:

This curvy little coupe offers your standard bevy of sports-car thrills, teamed with a surprising degree of practicality. Its rotary engine packs up to 238 horsepower, delivered with remarkable smoothness. Grins won't be in short supply when you're behind the wheel; the RX-8 feels at one with the road, with ample steering feedback and loads of grip through the twisties. Best of all, the Mazda's nifty cruiser boasts more in terms of day-to-day livability than the competition, with seating for four and handling that's reasonably commuter-friendly. Fun to drive and more versatile than you'd probably imagine, the RX-8 is a standout in its class

The reason they picked the 3 series is mainly because of the M3? lame...
Everyone has a BMW around here.

nice, congrats

the 3 series is a hell of a car, always has been. I can understand their choice. It's still the benchmark.

On another note. I drove a supercharged 330Ci the other day. It was a pretty hot little car.

You have to respect BMW for the product they produce, its just good. However, living in Boston, a BMW is prob more common here than a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. Plus, and this goes for the M3 too, they just aren't that impressive on the track. I run very closely with M3s, they pull on me badly in the straights, but as soon as we get in the twisties I'm right back on their trunk. I was also surprised on how sloppy the steering is compared to the 8. For $60K + I expect more. This is also not to mention the price of a 330 or 325. Last time I looked, you couldn't get much BMW for the price I paid for my 8.

from my personal experience when im watching people at the track, M3 usually outcorners the rx8. it can enter a corner at a faster speed and exit faster than the rx8. only cars that ive seen that can take corners faster than the M3 is the S2000 and EVO. im sure there are other cars that can, but i just dont see, rx8 or 350z or g35 outcornering the M3 unless theres a huge difference in skill level. I dont know if its the tire or suspension or what, but that thing might look heavey, it can turn with the best of them. As it should, considering it cost twice as much as an rx8.
but yeah back on topic, the RX8 beat out g35, 350z, s2000 and a bunch of other capable cars to get honorable mention thats a pretty big accomplishment IMO. its really nice publicity for mazda. you guys should be proud. :)

One thing I notice with the M3, and a racing instructor freind also makes comments about is this. The M3 has the most poseur drivers of any car in the history of the world. Perhaps that's why they seem so slow. They most certainly are not.

M3s r FAST!!... and i thought the 330Ci's were fast.... but with 100more hp it's 1 quick beast.... corners well too... it's no car to mess with...