Charles Cope

December 2005 Issue, page 57

CR Quick Pick: ... RX8 came in second behind Subaru WRX (ok Ike, let'er go!) in the performance category.

Closeup: .. Models we now recommend because their reliability has improved to average or better are.. Mazda RX-8 [!]

Not huge, but I don't think they've said much that was positive in the past.

Spin9k

Actually they've been quite complimentary to the car's abilities in the past, previously the car was new to market, so they always said nothing/anecdotal bad things about reliability, and therefore would never give it "Recommended" status, that coveted 'go ahead and buy it' OK that people just skimming through look for as a 1st cut to picking a car.

Good to see that the inner heart of rotary robustness has finally come shining through.

Congrats Mazda and the 8 , we all knew you'd make it!!!

spork

CR loves the RX-8 if you ask me.

The negative comments they have about it are accurate. Bad gas mileage, bad reliability (though as you said, they seemed to have upgraded it). In some of their blurbs about other cars, they mention the RX-8.

In their 350Z blurb, then mention the RX-8 is more nimble. In their Audi TT blurb, they mention how it's not up to par with the RX-8 and the Porsche Boxter. In their Mustang review they said it wasn't the top of the sports car category like the WRX and RX-8 was.

So CR gives the RX-8 plenty of love. They just don't love the reliability which is why they refused to recommend it. (If you notice they will not recommend anything without at least average reliabilty. If a car they recommend falls below that, they'll rescind their recommendation. They did this with the Mazda 6 in the last issue I saw which was admittedly a while ago).

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

Gonna have to go out and pick up this issue.

StealthTL

iTrader: (1)

Couple of issues back, they were going thru what would make up their ideal car - ride from this model, controls from that model, "....and the steering from the Mazda RX-8"!!

S

mikeb

what did they say

Slick8

Highs: Smooth-revving engine, handling, ride, shifter, braking, four-passenger capacity.
Lows: Fuel economy.

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

Good news.

The December edition of Consumer Reports, in rating 4 separate cars, comments on the improved reliability of the Mazda RX-8.

Sports cars are notoriously bad, according the CRs rating system.

But whereas the RX-8 was previously rated far below average in terms of problems (the same rating as the Chevrolet Corvette, Mercedes SLK, etc.), the RX-8 has improved to average reliability according to CR.

tiggerlee

Yeah I think it's being discussed here. https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=76351

zoom44

duplicate threads merged

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Tigger. Thanks Zoom.

Sorry. I didn't see this.

Cheers.

Charles Cope

I stand corrected.

mikeb

thanks for sharing and posting the info

beachdog

Actually, the chief testing engineer at CR races an RX7. If you belong to consumer reports web service he answers questions and hosts a forum and always says positive things about rotaries.

MP3Guy

While CR might be good for judging refrigerators, it is my last source of automotive info. Sports cars are not blenders or dishwashers, and I find their comments sometimes outrageous.

BoosTED

iTrader: (2)

Ultimately they look for reliability.

Good thing because a perfectly engineered car can't be used if it is in the shop.

Myself I went off of reviews a lot when I was looking to purchase the 8. I test drove a few other cars and non had the feel of control that the 8 has.

CR's findings are largely due to how many people respond to their surveys they kick out. The people with no problems don't have any fuel to fill out the survey compared to those that have had issues with their car.

When a car is new they can not comment on reliability because they don't have evidence. That is why I didn't take that into the mix when I decided on buying the 8. Really like the fact that it is so unique too.

Torchmonkey

I find this news disappointing...do we really want MORE people out there driving the "8"'s??

czr

iTrader: (3)

It's a double edged sword. We want there to be strong sales so production and aftermarket increases but we want exclusivity. But your reasoning for your "disappointment" is flawed in this case. You are 2 years behind anyhow.

I think this is great news!

BoosTED

iTrader: (2)

It helps with resale to an extent too. Easier to sell but if the market is saturated with a lot of similar cars there are more options for buyers to price and sellers will have to compete.

So Torchmonkey it is nice to have exclusivity, but recommendations from Consumer reports are not a bad thing either. It should help keep or raise the resale.

m477

Well duh. It's a non-turbo rotary and built in Japan. Of course it's going to be reliable.

There may have been a couple of issues with a few of the really early build cars, but just keep watching. The RX-8's reliablility rating will only get better in the long term, especially compared to other sports cars.

Charles Cope

My 8 is number 502.
I've had it for 27 months, have 24300 miles on it and have only had the recalls and normal service paid for by those 9 little horsepower. I flooded it twice - my fault. Gas mileage when I drive it like I stole it is 17 and 19.5 when obey the speed limit. 150+ mile trips, I've had over 20 mpg. No complaints!