Reading through the April CR, it seemed like every other sports car included something along the lines of "...not as fun to drive as the RX8" or "...doesn't handle as well as the RX8."

The reliability verdict doesn't bother me. We all know it'll improve with 05 and 06. Anyway, CR is trying to help soccer mom and bbq dad find products that are low-maintenance and worry-free. But a sports car is not an appliance. You'll rarely hear people mention excitment or passion as reasons for selecting a microwave.

Neu

maybe if it was recommended we would see as many RX-8's as Z's or even worse G35 coupes(those things are everywhere!).

I doubt it. The 8 is much closer to an exotic than a conventional sports car or sport coupe. The styling, rotary engine, 2+2, the fact that it is a Mazda and not a Nissan all contribute to the fact that it will never have the sales volume of the z or the 35.

Regular readers of CR probably don't constitute a very large portion of the 8's demographic. Just look at how shocked most people here are when they find out the the 8 has even been reviewed. Car fanatics go to different sources for their input.

Want a further proof point of how few 8 owners are into CR? The CR website has a discussion board for auto subjects. There has been only 1 posting on the subject of the RX8 and it was a review by an owner who also happens to be a participant here.

RX8WannaHave:

My grandbaby has ridden in the 8 and survived ('tho figuring out the carseat anchoring was a challenge.)

Engine longevity--32,000 joyous, carefree miles so far.

Fail to start? Once--before the M flash.

I do study CR's car ratings, but realized long ago that "Reliability" appears to be their primary criteria.

Now who could that be? ;)

PaulyG, that was a good write up.

I have just started to use the CR website. One of the CR automotive test guys owns an 81 RX7 that he autocrosses.

Links please :).

http://www.consumerreports.org/main/...x_num=2&urp=sr

You might have to have a paid membership to the website to get this link.