Senseny

If it wasn't for the rotary I would have either gotten a G35 coupe, or an STI. I liked the pics of the 8, but I preordered this car mainly because of my love for the rotary. I actually ended up liking the car more in person than I even could have imagined.

shelleys_man_06

RX-8 - rotary engine = teh stupid

Rxdriftingaction

no .... "mx - 8" is stupid..!! don't wanna waste my money on a v-6 stupid machine!! if it's v-6 8 has no reason to exist. if that's true.. I would buy evo.. or g35 instead.

miendiem

With a V6, no. I lusted after an FD RX-7 for years, and was considering finding a well-loved and looked-after one that the owner had to finally part with for some reason. Then the 8 came along and won me over. A rotary I wanted, and a rotary I have, and that's where the story ends.

Happy motoring.

~ Geoff

kevinus99

Lets face it with a V-6, the RX-8 would just be a better handling mustang(presumably). There is a reason why we didn't all get stangs, we wanted to be different.

Spin 'em

Nope. It's what gives this ride its soul! :D

Rob Tomlin

Hard to know....the only reason I ever test drove an 8 was because of the rotary motor, and it goes a long way in contributing to the cars fun to drive factor.

arattle

Yea, I'd probably still get it, assuming it handled similar to the RX-8 and all other characteristics were close to the current design. Rotary engine was actually one of the very few turn-offs for me, but so far, so good. I like how all these people are saying "No Rotary- No way." What are you gonna drive otherwise? AFAIK, this is the only rotary engine on the market, so unless you'd rather ride the bus than drive a MX-8, you're full of it.

MadRonin

I would have bought a STI and waited for the next big rotary.

Lufa

Only if I was sure they were never going to release the RX7 again.

ezrider55

No. The rotary and four seats got me in the door. The test drive sold me. :D

ibfubar2000

yes I would have, I dont race my car so speed isnt a factor for me. I bought it mostly because the way it looks, and the handling, im sure it would be just a great as a car with piston engine.

Greg S

Nope, I wouldn't get the 8 unless it had the rotory, but I would have gotten a different Mazda instead. I've already had an MX-6 and Protege 5. Probably would have gone for a Mazdaspeed 6.

Ellar

I would have bought an old Miata outright if I couldn't have leased the 8. It's not blind brand loyalty, either. Mazda happens to make all of the most capable sports cars under $27,000 new or $3000 used (90 Miata).

BasenjiGuy

I just love the sound and elegance of a straight six. They've been in BMW's, Jaguar's, Aston Martin's, Mercedes, the original Z, the Supra, etc. It's the best piston configuration of all for smoothness and simplicity. And it sounds awesome! The only better sounding engines, IMHO, are the V-12 and V16.... both out of reach for me...
The rotary is nice and smooth, and it sounds better than an inline 4 or many V-6's, but it's tone doesn't have much complexity, a lot like a two stroke outboard motor. The fundamental tone is nice though. Just not much detail.

graphicguy

No RENESIS...no purchase!

The first time I saw the RX8 in the flesh was while visiting the International Auto Show in January '03. I was smitten. When it was announced that the RX8 would be hitting dealer showrooms in July '03, I drove one of the first ones to hit the pavement in the city (Cincinnati). That sealed the deal. Put a deposit down and got mine the last week of July '03.

Put a 6 cyl in it, and it's just another good looking, though still innovative, sports car.

Also test drove the 350Z and G35c (they felt like "pigs" in comparison). Drove a WRX (ahhhhhh....the dreaded turbo lag) and an EVO (felt like it was made with an reector set).

I will say that when it's time for me to get something else (usually trade every 3-4 years), a C6 'vette might be the only thing I'd consider over the RX8 (that is unless there's a 300+HP version that's rumored to come out in '06 MY).

RX-Hachi

Nope. The rotary is the car's heart & soul.

buzzwordenabled

I would not have considered the car without a Wankel. For me, the Mazda rotary race heritage defines the experience. It's reflected throughout the car's design.