Just got this months Consumer Report and it is the car issue. Here is how the RX-8 is doing...not bad. Much better then from what you hear on the board here.

I need a legend. I'm just not very bright.

it's easy to read. something about a black sun, a red sun, and a white dwarf.

dwarf? I thought it was a gnome...

Legend please.

The red circles with the little white hole in the middle (cherry doughnut?) are the top ratings, I think meaning excellent. Black circles mean it sucks.

I wonder why the 04 would rate better for its paint/trim than an 05 when it's the same. :dunno:

uh, so body integrity got better, but paint got worse? How do they figure that.

uh, so body integrity got better, but paint got worse? How do they figure that.

I think it's common knowledge that the 05's used structure enhancing paint. It is however slightly less glossy and would result in a lower paint quality rating.

[QUOTE]I need a legend. I'm just not very bright.

i'm pretty sure the red circle with the dot in the middle is the best

Thanks Raptor for this.

Consumer Reports is not as statistically sound as they can me, and their methodology isn't perfect, but it a much better indicator on reliability than what you usually hear on forums.

Mazda, or rather non-ford Mazda's, have been sound a long time. Now if they can only improve dealer service....

I have the mag next to me. Funny how the lexus page is all red, but when you look at jag, it's mostly black :)

CR tests cars and other products, obviously, but they don't actually "rate" reliability or frequency-of-repair themselves. Rather, they send out an annual questionnaire to all their subscribers asking them to mark down their own experiences with the reliability of their cars (and other products) in each of those categories (for cars: transmission, brakes, fit & finish, electronics, etc.) So what you're seeing in those charts is the response—averaged together—of (probably) hundreds of people. (That's for the RX-8. I'm sure it's thousands of responses for other things they test—color TVs, Toyota Camrys, washing machines, etc.)

I have the mag next to me. Funny how the lexus page is all red, but when you look at jag, it's mostly black :)

ever heard the saying "what do you drive while your jag is in the shop"? a friend of the family had a mid 90s xj. it definately lived up to the reputation. she sold it and got a z3 (which i think she still has).

I have the mag next to me. Funny how the lexus page is all red, but when you look at jag, it's mostly black :)

Jaguars although beautiful, have had a dismal reliability record throughout the decades. :Eyecrazy:

Too bad...

Fuel ? ....

That report is WRONG !

what does this mean?

is that for the different year models or for the reports gotten that year for all models?

because are they saying that the 2005 model is just way better than the 2004? or are they saying that with more info, the rx-8 isn't as bad as originally reported?

I can understand fuel and ignition getting better, but it's also true that most of us '04s have gotten the upgrades as well due to flashes and starter/plug upgrades.

Have we had any horror stories with 2005 models getting the dreaded "11 mpg no matter how I drive it" issues?

After looking at the vast disparity in fuel ratings, I wouldn't put too much faith in the report.

1.3L

In my opinion the 04 is below average for a Japanese car.

well crap, there goes resale value for my '04.....

well crap, there goes resale value for my '04.....

i'm a bit sad too. :crying:
maybe i should trade in my 04 and get a brand new 06

are they saying that with more info, the rx-8 isn't as bad as originally reported?


I think that is what they are implying. I know one of their previous issues they liked the car and everything but they said it didn't enough in the way of any sort of long-term data to recommend it or rate it as they would if they had longer term data. Basically, they used to like it but didn't recommend it for lack of date. Now they have data and recommend it. I think this was in the car guide that came out winter 04 when we still had a subscription to them.

The report on the Nissan 350Z includes this statement:

... "Handling has improved but still isn't as agile as the Mazda RX-8"...

As mentioned earlier, where did they get their gas milage rating "Overall MPG 18"???

Good to see it as a "Recommended" car.

The 04's had issues with the the ecu,oilpan, battery starter and plugs, passenger airbag,foggy healights, air conditioner, transmission cover, hot cup holders,gas tank and a whole bunch of other little things that have all been corrected in the 05 models and addressed in 04 models in TSBs and recalls. Warranty covered everthing.

Bad gas mileage and performance was corrected with the new reflashes early 2005. Flooding was eliminated with the battery,starter and plugs fix. So it's easy to see why the 05's are rated so much better. You have nothing to fear owning a 04. All this stuff is covered under warranty. They can do most of it in a day or 2.

Bad gas mileage and performance was corrected with the new reflashes early 2005. Flooding was eliminated with the battery,starter and plugs fix. So it's easy to see why the 05's are rated so much better. You have nothing to fear owning a 04. All this stuff is covered under warranty. They can do most of it in a day or 2.

I do think the 05 reflect allot of bugs being swatted but some of them still exist. I have a 05 and get 11mpg. I have also heard of some 05s flooding, I think the recent upgrades have helped a great deal but I am still pretty careful not to shut her down cold.

As for the discrepancy between 04 and 05, CR did an interesting report on the same car when 1st released and over the next three years. Every car they looked at improved over the three years. They looked at a wide verity including very reliable cars like Honda and Toyota and each time the cars improved over time. The conclusion was never buy a 1st year model regardless of the manufacturer.

I do think the 05 reflect allot of bugs being swatted but some of them still exist. I have a 05 and get 11mpg. I have also heard of some 05s flooding, I think the recent upgrades have helped a great deal but I am still pretty careful not to shut her down cold.

As for the discrepancy between 04 and 05, CR did an interesting report on the same car when 1st released and over the next three years. Every car they looked at improved over the three years. They looked at a wide verity including very reliable cars like Honda and Toyota and each time the cars improved over time. The conclusion was never buy a 1st year model regardless of the manufacturer.

I get 20 mpg average but cold weather starts will erode that in winter. you must drive her hard. If not have a diagnostic check done at your dealer. You should be doing better on the average mileage thing.

I posted a message similar to this in the media section, but since it is already being discussed here... what is up with the RX-8 picture in the CR edition on page 61? The ground effects and spoiler are different, not to mention the HP of the 6-speed (not 4 like they said) AT that is in the 2006! Plus, it has gold rims. Has anyone else noticed that?

I haven't seen a copy of it yet but maybe when I am out tomorrow I can look for one and check it out.

The report on the Nissan 350Z includes this statement:

... "Handling has improved but still isn't as agile as the Mazda RX-8"...


I thought that was funny too...

The "Fuel" ratings are for the fuel system, not fuel economy.

The red circles with the little white hole in the middle (cherry doughnut?) are the top ratings, I think meaning excellent. Black circles mean it sucks.Yes.

Red circle = excellent

Half red circle = very good

White circle = good

Half black circle = fair

Full black circle = poor

Yes.

Red circle = excellent

Half red circle = very good

White circle = good

Half black circle = fair

Full black circle = poor

I'm such a smarty. :)

The folks in the media section have figured out that the image in the CR mag is that of the mazdaspeed 8 - you can google mazdaspeed 8 and get the same car. They don't list mazdaspeed as a trim line though. It could just be that they screwed up and added the wrong image. Time will tell...

I use Consumer's Reports for many of my "big" purchases, and when I first saw an 8, I read up on it before I took it for a test drive. CR gave it a great write up when it was brand new & and furthered my decision to go for a test drive. (Of course, the test drive sold me!) I think their reviews are usually pretty accurate.

A lot of the 04MY bad things have been fixed by reflashing, etc. Those things come standard in the 05 from the factory.

I use Consumer's Reports for many of my "big" purchases, and when I first saw an 8, I read up on it before I took it for a test drive. CR gave it a great write up when it was brand new & and furthered my decision to go for a test drive. (Of course, the test drive sold me!) I think their reviews are usually pretty accurate.

I agree. Consumer Reports is my Bible when it comes to major purchases. I find the reviews and reliability reports to be dead on target.

Which is why I was thrilled to see all those red dots in the RX-8 ratings, and that CR now lists the RX-8 as a recommended buy. :smoker:

I agree. Consumer Reports is my Bible when it comes to major purchases. I find the reviews and reliability reports to be dead on target.

Which is why I was thrilled to see all those red dots in the RX-8 ratings, and that CR now lists the RX-8 as a recommended buy. :smoker:
Ditto. Consumer Reports is the first place I go when I start to think about buying a car. I was initially slow to buy the 8 because they hadn't given it a recommended buy. I had to read some online forums to convince myself that a lot of the reliability problems they were seeing were probably people who didn't pay attention to the anti-flooding procedures.

I think it's common knowledge that the 05's used structure enhancing paint. It is however slightly less glossy and would result in a lower paint quality rating.


Do have a link to some discussion? This is the first reference I've seen about this. I'd be interested in knowing more. :)

I did a search here but found nothing yet.

I do check consumer reports as they do carry some weight since they ahve independent testing.

I also get CR and use it to assist my decisions on a lot of the major purchases. The ratings for the 8 seem pretty accurate given the early "refinements" that were made on the 04s. I actually received their questionnaire for the ratings and filled it out truthfully on my 04. Noted that I had one flood, moisture in one tail light, the recall on the gas tank, etc. But I also gave it good ratings on the systems that were working well. The important thing is that generally Mazda stood behind the product and worked through the most serious bugs to make the 04s reliable and improved the ratings by 05. The CR recommended rating is deserved.

Same here...I am a big CR fan. I love reading their issues.

Hey the Miata is due for publication in the June 06 issue, which hits the newstand in early May. "Can't hardly" wait.