Sonny

The '09 R3 is the first RX-8 I've seriously considered owning. Ok, the opening in the nose is a little ridiculous...but, I could get past it.

'09 R3 guys...how do you like your car?

Sonny

Marklar

I took a good close look at the '09 the last time I was at the dealership for servicing. I just don't care for the looks, except for the rims. I do like the handling features, though. But handling is not exactly the biggest thing that needs improvement on an 8.

77mjd

I think the reason there is not much love is because most people who want an 8 already have one and the so called "better" R3 model is not worth "upgrading" to if you even want to call it an upgrade. For people who already have an 8 and especially those who bought one early ('04 and '05) a more powerful rotary is the only thing that is acceptable as a case for buying another one. I do love the 19's on the R3 though.

05rx8mazda

iTrader: (4)

Well i dont reallt like the new look of the new 8.. Its ugly.

I prefer the old look... but.. wish we could have those sideskirts, recaros. and htose rims.. they look mighty sexy.

MP3Guy

The 8 is a good car. In a few weeks, I'll take mine in for a 30K servicing- no valves to adjust, in fact, no real "tune-up" to perform, and with today's labor costs, I'll get off light, which makes up for the fuel mileage and maybe even then some.

I do not personally like the 09s front end styling, but if you can get past it, this is an exceptional value in a car for a lot of reasons. Perhaps some interesting kits will come out later on.

DarkLord7854

I've got a Touring 09, love it.

Would be nice if dealership can get it back to me before next Friday though :P

bdeitemeyer

Hmm...if you can handle the poor gas mileage & overpriced MSRP, then yes it's a nice car. It's a very fun car to drive, has a great interior, nice looks, and will eventually have lots of aftermarket options to change out anything you may not be satisfied with regarding aesthetics/performance.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

like most people, I dont like the front. even tho it was designed to have better cooling capability.

The better suspension still cant beat my HiperMax III.

The only thing that I see is the 3rd injector on the engine, the water pump(still not better than Mazmart's pump), and some other engine mods.

I did considered about trading my car in. but unless they're doing heavy discounts, I dont want to make payments for another couple of years.

overpriced MSRP? I think all dealerships in NYC and NJ are going for invoice or lower. Yep, even for the 09.

bdeitemeyer

What I'm saying is that in my opinion Mazda overvalued the R3 when deciding its' MSRP.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

very true ...

the R3 package IMO was designed to make it more like a muscle car, so muscle car lovers might buy it. (at least thats what my gf saids, the R3 looks like a Rustang at some point)

how do u like ur R3 so far anyway ? I mean its a very good car. I just dont like the front.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

sounds like you did your research after the sale.. price and mileage..

the nose is starting to grow on me.. should be interesting to see the future of the front bumper!

beers

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

Don't like the nose? No prob, Autoexe got a solution.

hercmafia

like everyone else here the front end just does not do it for me either. but the seats are nice.

Sonny

The wheels are definitely hot IMO.

Sonny

yale02

iTrader: (16)

if I had not purchased my 06 new, then I would get the R3. The front end has grown on me as well and there will be plenty of aftermarket support soon. That being said, there are plenty of fun things to do to the 04-08's and I am certainly very happy with mine.

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

Its funny how most non-8 owners dont even notice the differences.

My GF was like "They look the same! Oh wait.....um..... the lights look kinda different..." which lead into a 2 hour discussion of why mine was better

bose

iTrader: (5)

honestly, the earlier models don't get much love either so why would the new one. the rx8 is one of the most dogged on, hated cars around.

Who cares what people think if your into it go for it. Without that logic we wouldn't even have this amazing engine/car to begin with.

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

Ive honestly never had my car dogged on by ANYONE after a drive. One guy I used to work with made FUN OF ME for driving it saying its a piece of **** and slow and blah blah; he had a ford mustang that ran 11's (of course). I take him for a ride through the mountains in cali when I lived there; and immediately gained respect.

RX8's are dogged on by ricers who have a big head bc their POS cars they dumped their college savings into are faster than a $32,000 sports car that we are driving.

I can live with it, and Ill enjoy my 'slow' car in the process.

greg985

I would buy the R3 just for the wheels and the seats

newguy

I like the rims, dont like the Mazda mustache, and dont like the Ford Focus fender vents--shoulda left the original fender vents alone. In any case I wouldnt kick it outta bed.

YaXMaNGTO

I love the R3. I love everything about the styling... the new front end is fantastic. Seriously, I like it better than the nose on my old RX8.

Only one thing stands out... you throw that 16x in there, and I'll get right back into owning another RX8. That's all it needs. Mazda gets that done, and the GTO goes away.

kvndoom

I wouldn't say there isn't any love... the 2009 just doesn't offer a whole lot more/extra to entice a current owner to trade-in for. I guarantee you if it had a revised 300HP engine it wouldn't look nearly as ugly in the eyes of some

Kinda like the redesigned Mazda6 doesn't do anything for me that would warrant a trade in. I went by last week to get a brochure and see the car in the daytime, and of course had to endure nonstop harassment by sales-slime. I kept saying "but it looks like a Toyota!" and maybe they thought I was implying that was a good thing. Ugh. Now a couple months ago I found a brand-new 2007 Mazda6 with V6 and 5-speed manual still on a lot in Hampton. I came VERY close to trading in my 2006 (which is painfully close to being paid off) for that one. Only thing that saved me from my weakness was it being the sedan and not the hatchback. I was still leaning towards the deal though, but fortunately someone bought it and spared me the grief.

I've seen the refreshed RX8 in person and I think it looks great. The ones on the lot have a lone 40AE (slushbox... can't imagine why it hasn't sold ) in their midst and that makes it easy to see the changes and appreciate them. I still contend that the car looks worse in pictures than in person, for some reason.

New Yorker

You've got to be kidding. Read the countless reviews over the past 6 years—I've rarely seen a car so beloved. What's more, the more thoughtful and knowledgable the journalist, they more they love the car.

Dogged on? Hated?? By who??? Some kid in a Mustang? Gimme a break.

New Yorker

I have an 8… an '05. If Mazda could make the car lighter—or handle even better—I might consider buying another one. A more powerful rotary? If I keep the revs up, I can accelerate, pass and maneuver better than most any car out there. Why would I want a more powerful rotary?

REsuperD

i love the '09s, especially the r3. its looks are less refined than the original but at the same time, imo, more japanese, cooler, and less subdued. either way i think the '09 looks pretty good