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Sometimes the RX-8 seems like a throwback. It’s the only car in the world still being made with Mazda’s quirky rotary engine. But is it more than the ultimate enthusiast car, with limited appeal beyond the tiny fraternity of rotary engine believers?  Sports Car Heritage
Mazda started shipping cars with Rotary engines in 1968, and 40 years later they’re still making the engine, although they’ve transitioned the company to more conventional engines for their popular Mazda3 hatchback and MX-5 convertible platforms.
But there’s still a place for the RX-8, and I believe (and hope!) that Mazda will always have a rotary engine offering in its lineup. I say so precisely because the rotary is a unique engine that no other automaker can touch. Right off the showroom floor, you can spin the RX-8’s highly developed Renesis rotary to 9,000 RPM. Yes, the Renesis’ 238 horsepower and 159 pound-feet of torque aren’t staggering numbers in today’s market, but how many of those 500 horsepower beasts make their power out of 1.3 liters of displacement? Cubic centimeter for cubic centimeter, the rotary is an amazing performance package. Lastly, I like the rotary engine just because it’s different – and that makes it interesting in a world where it’s becoming increasingly different to tell cars apart.
You can buy an RX-8 new from Mazda today starting at $26,000 and can potentially spend up to about $32,000. That’s right in there with most of the pocket rocket sports cars from 170 to 250 horsepower such as the Mini Cooper S, Subaru WRX, Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, and Volkswagen R32. Mazda’s own MAZDASPEED3 comes in just a bit lower from $22,000 to $26,000, and the MX-5 from $20,000 to $27,000.  Unique Engine - Unique Looks
What you get for your money with the RX-8 is a 2+2 sports car with funky suicide doors into the vestigial back seats. The RX-8 doesn’t have a lot of torque and at 3053 pounds, it’s not a launch demon from the drag strip. But if you get up into the power band and let the engine pull right up to redline, the RX-8 has plenty of power to take your breath away.
Driving the RX-8 is surprisingly nimble and light. Mazda has always done well at capturing the soul of the original sports cars that came over from Europe after World War II. These little cars, usually British, were quick and agile where the domestic cars were huge and heavy. The sports cars offered tremendous performance that belied their meager horsepower ratings - who would have thought the diminutive MG-TC would win so many races with just 45 horsepower?  Surprisingly Functional
The RX-8 is based on the same idea - that if you offer great handling and a high-revving engine, you can slay giants. And the RX-8 has been proven to do just that on the race tracks of the world. From numerous SCCA national championships in the hands of amateurs to professional victories in the Grand-Am Rolex series, the RX-8 formula just works.
Yet the RX-8 remains one of the great unknown sports cars. Get inside one and you’ll find every modern convenience at your fingertips, a comfortable heated leather seat, and ample trunk and storage space. You’ll also get a distinctive outside design that no one will ever mistake for anything else. I once had the opportunity to interview Jay Leno about his RX-8; he called it his “Klingon Car” for its knife-blade curves and geometric patterns. He had it parked next to his 1970 Mazda Cosmo rotary-powered sports car - as befits a direct descendant.  Nice Interior
The bottom line on the RX-8 is that it’s probably the best, most affordable sports car you never considered buying. If you’re shopping the $30,000 sports car market, the RX-8 should be on your short list.
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