2004 Mazda RX-8 Review - The Legacy Of The Rotary Engine!

RX-4 is my favorite

I’m not a big rotary guy and I don’t have a long history with them, but I absolutely love how the RX8 looks and I’d love to get my hands on one to LS swap it

Had a chance to ride in one and boy it is such a blast this car. My mindset is that they're somewhat fragile and needy but I recognize the fanbase for Mazda RX models and the popularity these engines have despite the flaws. And the sound is simply unmatched by anything else.

Adendum I would recommend. With the oil injection, for reliability and lifetime of the engine, a SOHN adapter to inject 2-stroke or rotary oil is invaluable. It really lowers the chances of things fouling up

04 Titanium Gray
2.5 years 30k miles
Daily driven/Tracked
Regularly redline, premix/sohn, periodic maintenance
only real problem Ive had has been coolant hoses ripping
this thing has been super reliable, always starts hot/cold and FUN

Still blows my mind that it didn't come with a spare tire by default. it was an optional add on that is hard to find now. I love my 04 though, one of the best cars I have owned!

Man, I just bought one of these on Monday and here you are with a perfectly timed review!

I liked how these looked till the last refresh

That RX8 needs new engine mounts…

The whole running rotaries on two-stroke oil mix is kind of nice for the reason you are never worried about when to change your oil or where to dispose of it. Once you get used to premixing, its probably no big deal and overall pretty convenient. I would love to own an RX8 as my "fun" car. I've always had a soft spot for them.

Why does every manual car have the cup holders behind the shifter? How are you supposed to use them without spilling your drink?

Hey, test drive an '88 Fiero GT with 5 speed getrag.

2004 to 2008 has 2 oil ports per chamber. 2009 to 2011 has 3 oil ports per chamber.

Great review, I'm in your area and I'm a big rotary guy. I've got 2 RX8's, one with a built street port motor, and one that's a work in progress:). You hit up any of the local events?

Love this review! What a blast! 😎😍

You look like you're lying down flat while driving lol!

this probably needs a new engine mount

Technically the RX8 came out before the NC, so not sure which car is based on which car.

Actually buying one again after I sold one. Planning to just upgrade the radiator and move license plate to allow better flow. Then just toss on a Re-Amemiya Hood and wing and then daily it like a savage cause fuck it, i want to enjoy my cars.

A few things, and this is coming from a rotary enthusiast of over 30yrs now. :-) 1st off, the NC actually took from the Rx8 platform. Since the RX8 came out before the NC. 2nd, you are correct in terms of the 8 being the most driveable. The rigidity of the chassis is what makes it feel this way. It has a number that surpasses alot of other high end vehicles on the market. Even today. This being said, it has had a very rocky existence due to alot of mechanical issues that will surface whether you're careful with it, or not.
I'm saying this because I've been planning on keeping my R3 since I got it 5yrs ago. It only had 51k km's on the clock and it was stock with the exception of having a Racing Beat catback. When I picked it up, I noticed the previous owner also swapped out the ignition coils for BHR's. Which was causing the vehicle to stop reving at about 7500rpm. It would just break up. I have since thrown that out and went back to stock. Regaining the full rev range. The Revision C coils is a must. However, I also noticed it took awhile for the engine to rev. Since it was running the stock cat still, running emissions on any rotary is a recipe for disaster. Changed out the headers and the midpipe when I decided to get rid of the emissions entirely. Racing beat headers and BHR midpipe. The car was completely different after that. It's ability to rev was significantly noticeable. Dare I say, it actually felt like a quick car now. Not fast, mind you. But quick. As it should've been. So here I am, hoping that'll be able to own this thing indefinitely. It now has 105k km's on the clock, and wouldn't you know it, circumstances have changed. Unfortunately I can't keep 2 rotary vehicles at the condition I want. And since I've owned my FD since I was 19, the 8 has to go.
Dont get me wrong, the 8 is a wonderful quick 2+2. Sometimes life throws you a curveball and you have to adapt. I'm going to miss her. Would I recommend her over an FD? No. But as a great commuter, definitely! :-)

Those misaligned strakes bother me lol!

Actually, Rx-8's chassis was designed before nc miata's. So NC's chassis is shortened version of the platform. Other than that, great review.

Great car and review...I have a 2005...just planning on cooling mods like earlier fan and thermostat cut on

Not true! 6 ports engine with 3 injectors weren't rely about the transmissions series 1 had most problem due the 4port engine (2oil injectors per rotors) series 2 (2009-2011) got the best 3injectors per rotors, means 50% les premix, but you still need to remove air pump change de cooler to a better one in aluminium with a decat and tune the car to makes the fans starts earlier and reduce the max heat your rx8 can go! Add an extra street port and you got a full reliable rotary rx8 daily ! Even in the cold winter❤❤❤

I literally just bought one yesterday, 2006, 6 speed manual, loving it

Most people don't appreciate what an RX-8 does best, which is to offer ride comfort that feels impossible considering the elite handling (eg, S2000s and FD RX-7s cannot/doesn't do this). It's more comfortable and handles better than a FRS/BRZ. The electric steering has supreme feedback and is even superior to BMW's F3x and G2x platforms'. You can play music with the throttle and the shifter feel is second to none. Trivia: RX-8s have carbon fiber propeller shafts, aluminum hood and rear doors for weight savings. The manual sport trim's curb weight falls under 3k lbs. Many high performance driving instructors have owned and praised RX-8s if you dig around. RX-8s command respect at technical circuits, but ridicule at drag strips.

Very cool video .. I own a 2011 r3 in red. 60k miles

Full of misinformation, typical American

The refresh face was cancer.

Great video, thanks! Your review is honest and spot on (of course, looks are subjective), and I appreciate your enthusiasm for the rotary engine. I have owned a 2004 RX8 for 7 years and absolutely love it. Mine just gets driven for fun, has no modifications, and like you, makes me grin from ear to ear on every spin. It truly is an amazing car to drive, especially considering the age and it being stock. Mazda did a very impressive job. I am always on the lookout for an R3, which would be the only car I would move to. Thanks again.

heard the cup holders get hot after a while. How hot do they get? And any ways to make it less hot?

Proof rotary engines can be great power sources. They just need for one to understand their design, and maintenance characteristics. They just are not "dummy proof". As seen by the many Mazda RX-8's for sale for $500 because they need a new engine. Which can be hard to find for an RX-8 since I don't believe they are available new anymore? The RX-8 is a great car and testament to Mazda engineering. Curious, are their conventional engines that fit under the hood well as a replacement engine?

my granny almost got one but no dealership had one that wasnt manual so she just got another mustang.... i rly tried to help her find one since i was on my lil import phase at the time... i had a eclpise gsx

I'm going to modify my S2...

Hybrid FTW.

i have a 2004 rx8 and i dont have heated seats do you have a seperate model?

What about a turbo though 🤔

If u got an RX-8 swap the POS renessis.. for a RX-7 rotory. Or cosmo

its pronounced, "van-kel" not wankel.

my parents had an RX-8 when they were brand new and seeing those small rear doors open brought back a lot of memories for me. I remember getting in the back when I got picked up from school, and you're right it did feel like a rollercoaster ride! They (mostly my mom) definitely took it to redline a couple times haha. I've been wanting one myself ever since they got rid of it.

In the UK we didn't get the Automatic but if you had a 5 speed manual you got 189hp and the 6 speed manual got 231hp but the 189 had a little more torque

The rear doors are called the freestyle door system, not "suicide doors". As a rotary enthusiast yourself, you should know better.

Which one more fun civic or rx8? I wanna get one so let me know.

R8x came before the nc miata no?

Thanks

when did Dom ever drive a rx7

I own a 2008 40th Anniversary Edition RX8 (only 1000 made like this in the world) . I bought it new in 2008 and now it is insured as a Classic Car for 150% of what I bought it for new in 2008, full value, no depreciation. I have owned seven rotary Mazdas since the 70's; one RX3, two RX4, all three generations of the RX7 with two of those RX7 modified by Racing Beat for the track. I easily have over a million rotary miles on street and track . Yes I have upgraded and improved my RX8, cooling modifications with Koyo-Rad radiator, Pettit Racing closed system, Racing Beat hoses, low temp thermostat, oil cooler low temp thermostats , low temp fan control, upgraded water pump, ; Mazdaspeed CAI, high performance BHR ignition coils and wires, upgraded starter, performance Cat and mid-pipe from Rotary Performance, BHR clutch pedal assembly, Series Two fuel pump upgrade, new clutch and engine (from Mazda warranty, no cost to me), new engine mounts, and a few other things. I also upgraded to Conti Contact DWS06+ tires. I will be keeping my 40th Anniversary Edition RX8 forever. Wish I could have kept them all. Nothing drives like a rotary. FYI, I use 5W-30W non-synthetic oil and yes I pre-mix. Cheers and best to you.

I purchased a hot wheels version of this car, so now I'm here looking at how it looks in real life 😂

I like the way you describe the handling of this car. I once heard Jeremy from Top Gear say it out-handles 350/370z, which says alot as those Nissans are legendary in their own right

RX-8 and S2000 have scouter levels over 9000.