Consumer Reports
 

Tomorrow will be a week since I picked up my 2004 GT. So far the only issues (other than having to go to work instead of driving it) are: the manual was missing, but the dealer lent me one from a 2005 till a replacement comes in from Mazda; one overhead bulb does not work; and no valet key.

I imagine that other things will come up, but so far it's better than, say, the FIAT 124 sport coupe that I bought new around 1971.

Then today I noticed the new Consumer Reports Car Issue. Again, it rated the RX-8 as poor for reliability. Last year the magazine blamed it on first year problems.

For you guys who've had yours for awhile, what reliability issues did you find? Do you agree with Consumer Reports? Oh--- I'm already aware of the fuel consumption, flooding, fogged up headlights, and using oil. As I live in San Francisco, I don't think that poor heating or air conditioning will be much of an issue. More important, how's the engine over time?

The current issue is based upon responses most likely turned in before the 2005 was widely available, so I think it's just a rehash of what we knew about the '04s. I seem to recall that in one place they showed most of the individual systems above average, but then give an overall below-average rating.

This is covered in detail in the Media forum.