Car buying is by definition a series of compromises: Speed vs. comfort; exotic vs. reliable; economy vs. creature comforts. Having put in enough miles, I think that I can now weigh in a bit on the 8.

Problem: price vs. operating costs. The gas mileage is almost shockingly bad. Yet, the car is very well priced (a friend guessed $48,000 today while we drove around). This is a lot of car for the money and the value trumps the cost to fill the tank. Advantage: Mazda. Next generation should have a bigger gas tank. I’m dumb enough to think that if I’m not constantly filling it up, the mileage must be OK. Pricing point also outweighs a couple of minor creature comfort lacks, such as no dual climate control, only one level of seat warmers. Finally, it would rock if at least one of the back seats could fold flat so as to be able to put larger items in the trunk (the ski pass thru is nice, however, and has already saved the day).

Problem: The quirky rotary is susceptible to flooding and requires much closer oil monitoring than a piston engine. Yet, the lightweight, compact engine allows the car to be light, 50/50 balanced and makes possible extending the cab enough for the suicide doors, thus allowing us parents of young children to step into this class of car. Advantage: Mazda.

Problem: Headroom limited and GT model automatically comes with inch-robbing sunroof. Solution: buy the 8 in Canada. Disadvantage: Mazda.

Lack of mind-numbing torque is a personal issue that everyone has to decide for themselves.

All said, in 30 years of driving I have never been as passionate about a car.

 

Rambling, I echo your comments for the most part.

A bigger gas tank? only if you are in the 13 mpg category as experienced by some here. I'm in the 20. A whole poll was done here based on VIN.

Creature comforts are not for me in my klingon lifestyle. Base model is fine. PLENTY of headroom with no moonroof. For parents, I am with you! Nice to have emergency options if the SUV fails for some reason.

Nor have I ...been as passionate about a car!!

 

I totally agree with you about the gas tank size... I personally could care less if I'm getting 15mpg or 25mpg... I bought a friggin sports car, but I am concerned about highway distance. I would like to be able to go 300 miles between fill-ups, regardless of mileage.

 

on my trip from oregon thru cali and back i got over 300 miles on all of the highway tanks. one tank from Portland Oregon all the way into Cali.that was over 310 miles.