Ok, I recently bought a 1987 Mazda Rx7 Turbo II. My mom has fallen in love with it's speed but feels it is too unreliable. At a Mazdameet yesterday my mom asked for a ridealong in an Rx-8 I came too and it seems to act exactly like my car, only more torque, and better interrior. Well my mom wants to trade in her 2004 V6 Ford Mustang Convertible for an 04 Rx-8. I want to know how it is as a daily driver from those who use their Rx8s alot. Have you had any problems? Has it ever been impractical (not enough space etc.)? And any other info you think I should know. I heard Mazda got the rotary quirks out with this one, because the 7 sure wasn't considered "reliable" so I want to know how the 8 is. Also if we traded in the Mustang (fully loaded V6 Premium Convertible with all options and 12k miles) how much difference do you think we'd have to pay on an 04 Rx-8 with between 20k and 30k miles. Even with cloth int. and no options other than manual?

 

Well i was fortunate enough to be able to drive the 04 and 06 RX-8, first lets just say i was amazed at how i was actually able to fit in there but once i got in i took it for a spin, and although i was not old enough to take a test drive by myself our salesman let me anways since the manager was out that day. As i proceded to leave the parking lot i got the idea to really test it out, first thing i did was find an empty road that was straight, found one and just peeled out, it was great and while i was flying down the road i dont know how fast i was going but i saw a fleet of dear running across the road at first i thought if i had my pos Kia id ram those suckas but given the situation i was in i had no choise but to avoid them. I slammed on the brakes and came to complete stop in a matter in seconds with out any trouble. After cleaning the crap outta my pants i proceded to find a relativly curvy road to test the turning and grip of the car. When i found one i was more than surprised at how easily i took the corners the car was a blast to drive, lets just say if my parents werent at the dealership they wouldn't have gotten the car back w/o a fight. Well there is my little performence review, but as for the other stuff about the trade-in sorry cant help you out their buddy.

 

Now you know what my car feels like, drives almost exactly the same, the 8 driver drove my car ( I cam too to make sure he didn't do anything fancy) in return for the ridealong, and he said it feels like the same car, just with heavier rotors, a little bit of power lag from the turbo, and less tourque. He loved it.

 

there is actually a heavily modded rx-7, and 8 up at the place where i race at. man talk about zoom-zoom

 

This may be a bit late for a response -- but what they heck -- I recently purchased an RX8 and it is deff my daily ride! LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!
Yeah, I cudda gotten something with better gas milage - but no where near the pure unadulterated pleasure I get from driving this baby every day...
I've not had a problem packing stuff in it either...holds way more than you may originally think just by looking at it...everything from $200 worth of groceries in the trunk and 2 spare tires in the back seat and still had room to stuff.... only draw back I've found in the past 5 months of ownership - tires.....15,000 miles on the odo and I was ready for new tires..held off to 21,000 and the suckers were bald....expect to spend a 700-1000+ for replacements (gads I researched everything else before I bot - why didnt I research tires LOL)

 

I have had my '04 RX 8 Gt automatic for almost 3 years now and it's my daily driver. If you can afford it buy a newer model 05 or 06. There were many kinks they had to work out with the 04's. I had it in the shop quite a few times for various things. Remember I do have the automatic. It's finicky it seems with the gas....it does not like cheap gas. Shell, Mobil and Phillips 66 seem to be the best, otherwise it drops in power and idles roughly. I love my RX 8...it's beautiful in and out. It just has it's quirks....can't turn off unless engine is warm, frequent oil checking( I do it every 1000 miles so not too bad), engine heat felt sometimes in interior etc. The auto I think needs more power. I hear they upped it in the new ones. Overall despite it's quirks I love the car. If you live where it snows invest in winter tires...100% difference. Actually handles great in the snow!! Lots of space for things in back and in trunk! I am selling mine only because I need cargo for my new biz and my son is getting big! Goo d luck to you if you have not purchased one yet!!