the IS350 is a great car..it's fast and it handles great..the interior is nice as well..everyone just has their own opinions about cars..of course everyone is going to side with their car..

 

It's been a little over a year and 94k+ on original everything except my mods, and no problems. Hoping to get a second one after I get some more goodies for mine. I just don't see where people complain that it's slow, mine basically ties with the 03 350z, 03 S2000, 04 cobalt ss, and that's on the track, not your scca road course that I haven't been to in a couple years, can't wait to go back.

Hell, I even went against my one friends 8 that he wants to get rid of for the same reason, and killed him, just to have him say holy hell. We talked about some problems and he's going to fix some things then we'll go back to the track and see if that made a difference, and hopefully he ends up fixing it and keeping it. You probably got a lemon, or don't know too much about them, but hey we are entitled to our own opinions and experience. So I am highly satisfied no questions about it.

 

http://www.lexus.com/models/IS/detai...fications.html


Seems like a nice car, but not for that price, holy hell. 3500+lbs, bout the same mpg, and a tad bit faster, but not much. Hope you don't have to buy the parts from the dealer when it breaks.

 

It is refreshing to see that most of you (guys) can side with my decision.
For the rest (ASH8,VS8) it is just a machine, get over it!
Don’t get me wrong, the 8 is a nice car for some, but I needed a different car.
I would like to say that this forum has been, for the most part, one of the best sites for tech advice that I have come across. Excluding the immature and personal attacks (ASH8,VS8) here and there.
But if I have to say anything, (believe me I know) the 8 is no S2000 killer, the 8 was severely overhyped during introduction (and subsequently downgraded on HP after release).
Enjoy your rides, and if anything (ASH8,VS8) never confuse .... personal worth or social standing with the machines that you own.
If you don’t heed this warning you will end up an empty person, socially and morally.
Buuu Bye!

 

Funny those commenting Don't even own an RX-8...

Interesting how the RX-8 was voted at #3 as Americas Best Handling Car for 2009, NO S2000 or Lexus in there...Only a BMW and Porsche in front...

http://www.motortrend.com/av/roadtes...deo/index.html

And again the Miata MX-5 Voted #3 this year as America's BEST Drivers car with a little 2.0 litre engine, the same car with the RX-8 platform.....NO Honda S2000 or Lexus above the Mazda...AGAIN..

http://www.motortrend.com/features/p...x_5_miata.html

Truth Hurts..doesn't it...

 

So the MX-5 was a better car to pit against a Porsche and an Audi,, where is the little wankel 8 not invited to the ball? Point well played.
I really like the quote on the first video, the RX8 was “underpowered but pleasant to drive”… LOL. (This is like saying…. oh, my friend has great personality, we all know what that means!)
Didn’t even see the Lex or Honda in the lineup so what was your "evidence" again.
Next time ask your husband buy you a Lex IS350.

 

Bought with 17,500 miles. I now have a hair over 27,000, 4 months later. Absolutely brilliant car. It's a perfect daily driver for me. I couldn't imagine living daily with any other car. The only way you could pry my hands from an RX8 is if you got me into an R3.

 

So I'm not thought of as a pesimist I'll start out with what I like.

Positive: Love the design. Love the handling. Love the ergonomics.

Negative: Hate the pesky problems. Erratic idle. A dealership that never seemed to get it right. On my 3rd visor replacement. Hate the major problems. When new....at 5000 miles clutch disentigrated on downshift into next lower gear. Destroying bellhousing and clutch assembly. Replaced with SR Kevlar and lighter flywheel. Didnt want another Mazda unit even if under warranty. Another 3000 miles later transmission shift fork broke....destroying transmission. Shop stated that replacing needed internal parts exceeded price of a new one....so I bought a new Mazda 6speed. Ouch!!!! Added a Greddy turbo (cant dys Mazda for this) and the problems multiplied. LOL's. Havent driven the car for almost a year. Worried about something breaking. Just paid car off.....trying to decide if I want to dump money into the pit.....or sell.

BTW....sorry for the negatives....but I really have had a mess of trouble with this car. Nice to look at....just affraid to drive it.

 

Bought my RX-8 two years ago (2004 mod). I have had some problems with it, the engine was replaced 6 months after I got it. The local shop didn't have much experience in rotary engines but I must say they have done a good job. One week after I delivered my car, then called me up and said that Mazda was granting me a new engine. No hazzle at all. They are always helpful and try to make my experience with mazda the best.

Thank you to all who contribute to making rx8culb the best place for information and sharing the joy of the RX8. The DIY section is great, and has often helped me.

Greetings to all from Norway! I'm very satisfied with the rx8 and how she always makes me smile every time I take her for a ride

 

love absolutely everything about the car except the lack of torque. I've pondered the idea of just trading it in and getting something faster but I just can't bring myself to actually do it. Im now researching turbos to see if that will solve my issue. Had to give it a somewhat satisfied cause unless this power issue is solved with some performance upgrades my next 8 will soon be a 08 335i.

 

Just got the car but can't stand not to be in it. Most dynamic car iv'e ever been in. I drove my car and my friends Mercedes SLK AMG back to back and the 8 is much more involving... I love it!!

 

Coming from a background of the 12A i am really impressed, i love my 8. my only complain is the lack of aux port for my ipod but besides that; i already knew about the mpg due to my old rx-7's i would seriously recommend this car to my friends and fam

 

I just bought a late 2006 model RX8, they had three of them at the Mazda dealership and I had to opt for the GT model with the luxury package, sure it's an automatic but my sweet little wife does not drive manual.
It's really quite a beautiful car inside and out, I really like the interior, black leather, very well appointed, great Bose sound system, Mazda did a nice job on the interior of the RX8.
What a fun machine to drive, the paddle shifters are the cat's bottom, for me ( and I'm 64 ) it has enough torque, plenty of power for my needs anyway, corners great, I've only had it two weeks but it's been a fun ride so far. It's a high end sports car, and we have to live with the fact that the RX8's are fuel thirsty, that's the price you pay, I traded in my Mazda 6 so now I have to use premium gas and get half the mileage I got from my 6,,,,,,,,,worth it to drive this honey of a car. And hello everyone, this is my first post.

 

Check the DIY section of this site for a way to provide an AUX port

How to add AUX-IN to Tape Module - https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=10530.html

Radio Removal / Add an AUX Input - https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=36001.html

Then you will have achieved motoring Nirvana.

 

the RX-8 is the best handling car under 50,000. My 2004 is still terrific to drive. The only negative is that in even moderately cold climates like Maryland, it tends to flood in the winter, and has to be towed to a garage to get it started. At least once/winter, and now that there's no longer any Mazda dealers in north Baltimore, it's a real pain.

 

Bought my 2010 RX8 Sport just over a week ago (Grand Touring or R-3 just weren't in the budget limitations). Traded in my 2008 Mazda 3 because I loved the drive of my 3 so much I couldn't resist an upgrade, I had to have MORE. After my 3 I knew the upgrade would be a Mazda just had to determine between the MX-5 or RX8. Drove both & the choice was clear. Took my wife a day later to drive both & she picked the RX8 over the Miata also. Got a great deal cause I refuse to play the car buying games with the dealer. Have taken it out on the tightest windiest roads in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains & it exceeded expectations. Damn thing was glued to the road no matter the speed. 25MPH curves at 40-45 no problem. Problem is now its a fight with my wife who gets to drive! Have meant to get pictures when we got out for each of the drives, but was having so much fun I didn't want to pull over to take the shot.

 

Quite satisfied. Considering this is my second RX8.

 

fun car...and challenging to master. Will probably own another one after this one craps out

 

The RX is unique, there really is no other car like it simply because it has the rotary engine, revolutionary in concept and almost perfected in motion by Mazda. I really like this car because the engineering is so different, this is my second one, a facelifted 6AT because that's all they sell here, and it cost a bomb!!
Driving the car is a joy, it handles like a go-cart in corners, sprints away in 3rd gear making that quiet turbine roar from the exhaust, it's just fun all the way. The rear seats are useless, except for 6 year olds, but the suicide doors are a party piece, adding to the uniqueness, the kids love them! (Which other sports coupe has this?) I think the facelift and engine mods on this new version are just great, much better than the older version. In comparison my old 965 Turbo is a beast, much faster but not so much fun!

 

My RX8 reinvigorated the love of driving and cars. Yes, the gas mileage is bad but the driving experience is top drawer. Can't wait for the evolution; whatever they call it 7, 8, or 9

 

Dude, why is your 8 flooding at all??? What's up with that? You must be doin' something wrong.

 

lol cold weather is not an excuse to flood it... Just let it warm up no probs here and absolutely love it

 

My car seems to start up quicker in the cold.

 

Cold, pfffft. I live in Minnesota and bought my 2009 RX-8 in October last year. Car starts up like a champ, even well below zero, never had one problem.

I did learn that good snow tires are an absolute necessity. Took the car out after the first snow with the original tires and couldn't even make it up a very, very small slope. A set of Goodyear Blizzak snow tires took care of that problem nicely and I've driven the car all winter with no problems. Car stops especially well even on ice.

I love, love, love this car. So fun to drive! And yes, the gas mileage is really bad, but if you want good mileage, go get a Prius. I didn't buy this car for fuel efficiency.

You know those Fords that have the little animation in the dash of a tree that grows the more "green" you drive? The RX-8 should have an animation of glaciers melting, polar bears drowning, and Al Gore throwing a hissy fit.

 

I've noticed this thread has been ongoing for about 7 years. It is interesting to note some of the early posts and problems with winter driving and longevity. I live in Saskatchewan and drove my 2008 RX8 for an entire winter. It started at -30 and has never given me idle grief. I suspect its because the improvements to the engine over time and the fact I let my car warm up and take care of it.

This car eclipses the driving experience of other vehicles at twice the price. As "micadelic" stated, I didn't buy this car for gas mileage. Prius drivers you have my sympathy for driving one of the ugliest and poorest driving experiences one could buy.

If there is 1 complaint I have it's that the roadmap for the RX8 has been shrowded in secrecy for too long. The RX8 design has reached its peak and us rotary lovers are anxious for the next step in the evolution. I'm not interested in rumours and photoshop concepts; I am anxiously waiting for Mazda to step up and give us a clear picture of the future. I don't care what its called (7,8,9) just come out with the plan.