Lock & Load

Mazda RX-8

What's the most dangerous act you can commit as a motoring journalist? No, not trying to perform dramatic cornering shots for the camera or over-running on a deadline, but recommending a car to a family member. Ever since I took our long-term Mazda RX-8 home last Christmas, and told my folks how good it was, my father has been after one - he was smitten by its looks and layout.

So a month ago, he took delivery of his own - a 228bhp model similar to ours. But what if it failed to live up to his expectations? Luckily for me, my dad's been having a whale of a time.

As have we, racking up 6,000 miles since our last update in Issue 803. The most fun we had in GJ53 WLV was during our annual Greatest Drives feature (Issue 812) at the Ty Croes circuit, Anglesey, back in May. The RX-8 earned plaudits from all quarters and was ranked seventh out of 25 - after getting behind the wheel, ITV rally commentator Robbie Head declared the handling excellent.

As you'll have read in last week's magazine, we also voted the four-door rotary-engined machine our favourite coupé in this year's New Car Honours. That meant even more miles being piled on to our silver Mazda, as it headed to Lincolnshire for the awards photoshoot. It's not only the looks and driving experience that have been impressing us, though - the RX-8 has proved to be both a reliable and comfortable member of our long-term fleet. The only problems we've encountered so far are a slight creaking from the dash, condensation forming in the rear light clusters and... that's it. There's simply simply nothing else that has gone wrong over the past eight months.

However, the RX-8 has been in the wars a little. One colleague scuffed the wheels on a kerb and strong winds blew a wheelie bin into the side, putting a small dent in the rear quarter panel. That aside, the Mazda looks stunning and still attracts plenty of admiring glances on the road. But the rotary engine does mean it's not a cheap way to cover miles. While the car's fuel economy has improved since our last report, the figure has only gone up from 18.8mpg to 19.4mpg. We've also had to stick another five litres of synthetic oil into the RX-8 - which cost us an additional £30.

Removing the engine cover to top up the lubricant is a pain, while the fiddly dipstick location means it's hard to check the oil in the first place - especially as the flimsy rod has been bent by constant use, making it even harder to slot in and out.

Nevertheless, the Mazda remains one of the most popular and trouble-free models on our fleet - and if my dad's RX-8 follows suit, I should be able to avoid spending the next few Christmas dinners defending my recommendations.

Owen Mildenhall

cheers
michael

Gomez

He's checking his oil too often if he's bent the stick! I've had condensation form in my rear light clusters only once.....with the water restrictions around here we have to throw buckets of water over the car, I must've been a bit too enthusiastic when washing the back end!

Still, chalk that up as another positive review .

Gomez.