LionZoo

I can't say I care for the porntache nose or any of the styling changes, but I do like all the other stuff that the '09s come with. The 3rd oil injector is of course great and I like that the transmission is probably stronger with reverse in the right (for me) place, though I have to drive one to comment on the new ratios. I don't like the new steering wheel and I think the center stack change is a sideways step, but the revised interior padding is good. The R3 seats are nice, but I can see how so much bolstering might get tiring on a long trip as it doesn't give your passenger much room to move around. I haven't tried the new suspension geometry yet so I can't comment. Overall I like the facelift changes as I can still stomach the styling, but with how low resale is for the RX-8 there is absolutely no way I'd upgrade. I might be looking to incorporate some of the smaller interior changes into my car though.

Razz1

I've seen 3 in person. Still hate it. Oh then there's the interior! WoW!

WTF! An SUV jeep steering wheel.

04RX8man

Yes I agree that any rotary owner will most likely not upgrade unlesss it's for a more powerful motor.........maybe the 16x???haha....

Huskyfan23

I'm surprised about the "no love for the rx8" at my local Mazda dealership. Partyka Mazda in Hamden, CT has not had an 8 on their lot for months. 2 Mazdaspeed 3's are there right now, but no 8s....I don't think they've ever had an 09 there.

93'roadwarrior

I love my Rx-8 R3 even though I also have an FD.... The 8 is so much better to drive day to day and the new suspension w/ the reworked transmission is so smooth. I also love the bluetooth connection and mp-3 player aux jack. All in all I say the new 8 is better IMHO and so much more refined than any other similarly priced sports car with the added perk of four doors and awesome interior. I also agree about the lack of a horsepower increase but all in all it still is an awesome car w/ killer looks.

Sonny

^^

Nice, man...very nice!!

Yeah, I miss my FD a lot. My FD was a flat out amazing car and my first thought was to get another one. Still might go that route! However, the practical side of me needs something with 4 seats, modern creature comforts, and isn't in constant need of new parts. My FD was a reliable car, too, but being ~16 years old now, you're always replacing something.

Maybe I'll win the lotto so I can get both...a low miles unmolested R1 and a new R3.

Sonny

Spin9k

Saw the '09 while at the dealer... getting my new engine ... although there's definite improvement there in the engine, perhaps the suspension, there's a definite un-improvement in the interior and the synozzel, the side marker lights, and the fact it's 96% the same car I've got & paid for in '03.

The '09 is a good deal for a 1st time owner w/$ who doesn't want a used 8 (used=better value still IMO), but until they do the one thing the car needs most - more power & torque -and not all the things the car needs least - I'm not handing over any more moola to Mazda!

daisuke

I used to think I liked that front bumper, but after a while I've grown to dislike it quite heavily, that groucho marx moustache with that really wide moronic grin just kills the entire front end of the car, I like what they did with the headlights and the vents for the oil coolers, I just can't stand that middle bit.

other thing I don't like is the new and shrunken gills, I like the ones on the earlier model much much more.

But I'm still intoxicated with the rotary and the Rx-8 as a car in general, if I had to get a new car then I would get an 09, hopefully there would be new front bumpers out there for it.

Rotary Xperiment

As someone who waited 9 months for the facelift and ended up buying the '09, I can say I have plenty of love for it. For a new owner, it makes the most sense---it looks "different" and fresh, styling is more aggressive with sharper edges, exterior and interior have been upgraded, and all modern amenities are now included---it's a complete car updated for 2008.

But for those who own the previous version and want to upgrade, there's probably not enough reason to do so, hence the supposed lack of love.

Rotr8

iTrader: (2)

And the biggest thing I hate about it are the blinged out chrome headlights, yuk...
Looks like some GM crap...

delhi

I think black is the only palatable colour for the new design. It masks away that ugly mustache thing at the front. The rest of the package is nice in R3 trim. Wish they kept the sleeker steering wheel instead of shoving in a CX-7/9 unit in there.
Can that plastic mustache be easily removed?

Rootski

iTrader: (1)

Mazda "fixed" what wasn't broken- the looks. Meanwhile, what everyone was hoping for- the power, the gas mileage (should've lowered the rear ratio instead of raised it) didn't change. That's why I don't care for the 09.

mauricio

The 09 r3 looks good. There are always changes and sometimes it takes a while to grow on you. I think the new TL it looks ugly the new rx8 not to bad.

dozer

iTrader: (3)

IMHO i think the r3s are almost as sexy as the 1st gen, but im only saying almost cus i dont own one...i would trade mine in for an r3

SilverHokie

iTrader: (1)

I just got an 05 RX-8 in February. My dealership calls me TODAY and tells me they have the 09 R3 RX-8. Im gonna go test drive it and ruin my life.

egads

I waited for the refresh and got the 09 GT. I think the 09 front looks a little more sedan like and less rice or sporty. That's fine by me since I'm using it as a daily driver and won't be racing. It still gets plenty of looks. Frankly, I'm good with both 04-08 and 09's interior and exterior styling but wanted the updated comforts and engine.

Davey's RX-8

iTrader: (1)

Either add the R3 body trim and rims to the GT or add the new interior electronics and moonroof to the R3.

1QWIK7

iTrader: (1)

I test drove the 09 and i loved it. I want it to be a daily driver for me, and a friend to my FD in the driveway lol but i needed something with more power.

To me, thats like 50% of my decision making in cars. They have to be at least QUICK. Im not saying i need an 11 second daily driver but 8s are pretty slow. They look and feel amazing when driving but you sorta get discouraged when you mash on the throttle, especially if you have to drive the car in the city alot.

shaunv74

I wasn't very impressed with the plastic mustache when I first saw pictures but after seeing it in person at the auto show I'm sold on the front end. It is definitely a nice update that makes the car look newer and more modern. I'm sure we can swap out our seats but I don't want to give up my power and red leather. (look at me picking form over function!)

ILoveFI

No, I don't like it and would not trade my 04 for an 09 for 2 reason.
1) Mine only has 34k miles on it
2) The 09 front end is fugly...
3) There is no REAL difference and the only improvements were handling improvements in a car that already handled better than 90% of the cars out there
4) I don't have to finance $15000 more just get one.

PotatoSoup

There were some not-insignificant changes made to the engine, including more injectors, improved metering, etc. So I would call incorporating some of the 16X ideas "real" changes.

wantan8

The 09 is actually really growing on me. I'm really thinkin of gettin one now with sunroof being an option. I would pretty much own one if it weren't for them beign mandatory on GT models.

Actually, people who don't know much about cars and are unfamiliar with previous 8s really like the looks as well. And noone really notices the plastic nose unless you point it out to them. This survey was based on about 7 random friends . Honestly haven't had anyone tell me that they flat out didn't like the looks.

I like it. There really isn't THAT big of difference either. No im my opinion. But then again I gotta get the 09 so, there it is .

DarkLord7854

I've yet to get anyone say my 09 looks bad and they prefer the older model (except for other 8 owners hehe).

I'd get the Touring trim though..

shaunv74

Yes. In 2 years we will all be wishing we had '09 motors in our car for more oil injection coverage and a better OMP.

wantan8

Well I want all the luxury goodies. Plus, I gotta have the Bose, and I believe you can only have that if you add the premium pacakge which includes the sunroof on the Touring.