I own an 8, and my work means I rent a lot of cars. My rental car guy knows I like Mazdas, so I end up driving a lot of 3's and even more 6's.

I've noticed a number of shared parts, including:

- exterior door handles
- washer nozzles
- the information display (6's only)
- a-pillar cladding (6's only)
- keys and key fob's (6's only)
- steering wheels, while not identical, are very similar
- ditto stalks on the column

And very unique parts that make the 8 special:

- door handles
- center console
- dash / display

Overall, they seem to have strcuk a really good balance. The 3 and 6 feel pretty good for their class. But when I get back into the 8, I know it's something more. And that's before I even begin to drive it...

 

I agree, I drove a six cylinder 6 loaner when I took the 8 for its last service. I put over 100 miles on the 6 and although I liked it and there were enough similarities to know it was in the Mazda family, I clearly think the 8 is a much better driver's car.

 

I rented a Mazda 6 sports wagon a few weeks ago and saw parts in common with the RX. Overall I think it's a desirable, since it lowers the cost of the RX-8. If everything, expecially mundane parts were unique to the RX, it would cost a lot more, perhaps princing it ouf of my price range.

 

Cool man that good to know.

 

My gf has an '03 5sp 6 and it's a fun, comfortable ride, capable of spirited driving especially when you consider it's a decent size sedan. I don't drive it nearly as much as I did in my pre-8 day, but when one of us drives the other, controls and their location/identification/appearance are familiar enough. I was estatic that the 8 has the clam-shell climate vents.

In addition to decreasing the purchase price of the car, this ought to help us down the road when looking for stock parts.

Incidentally, the first time I saw and test-drove an 8, when she bought her 6 last year, I commented to the salesman that it was a great car, I just didn't see myself in it--who knew?!