2004 Mazda RX-8 Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004
Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
18 City / 24 -25 HWY
Source FuelEconomy.gov
Horsepower
197 -238
Seats
4

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Lori F
It is a very fun car to drive that seats four people comfortably.
Beautiful,sleek, love the way the doors open and that it seats 4. Love driving it
accountCircle Rosa R
Why you should get the rx-8
The Mazda rx-8 is a very comfortable car I goes really fast and can be very reliable. Only bad thing is the gas and mileage since my car is a 2004. The older the car the more issues it will have but mine is hanging on strong and is by far my favorite car. The roof has a automatic window and it has spoilers. Of course these were added on but the thing is this car looks good with everything it's also very fast. I can honestly say I'm very proud of this purchase.
accountCircle Beck C
Novel Rotary Engine: Fun to Drive But Has Some Quirks
I personally have a lot of fun driving my car. It's actually the second RX-8 I have owned. A main problem with the engine is that the seals tend to blow out at about 100k miles, though I believe with proper care of the car, the engine should have more life. I have to say the most novel thing about the RX-8 is that the engine is a rotary engine. One other drawback about the model is that the ac tend to have difficulties in the heat due to the hair having to run over the hot engine. Other than that, however, it is definitely a fun car to drive and is an enjoyable daily driver.
accountCircle Tanner C
The vehicle does not have a scratch on it and runs like a charm.
The vehicle is very fun, and runs like a charm right now. However, it isn't the most reliable vehicle.
accountCircle Rebekah B
It's very fast, drives really smooth, and looks awesome! It's a high maintenance car, that's my only complaint.
It definitely turns heads! Everywhere I drive, people stare at the car because it's so unique looking.
accountCircle Noah P
Always do tune-ups to keep car healthy.
In all honesty I love my car because it's one of my dream cars! I love the fact that it's a rotary so it's different from most cars. I like the third suicide doors it comes with to have a look of a sports car but still has easy access to the rear seats. I do not like the fact that you need to do maintenance twice as much as most cars. The fact that they changed the engine set up from the previous rx cars has me dying inside because to me it should've been all ported.
accountCircle Lindsey B
It's so perfect for loading or unloading a manual wheelchair because of the doors.
Rear opening doors. Great for manual wheelchairs. Cute and fun to drive. Too small.
accountCircle Jeanne E
Rotary engine!!! Once you drive one you will not want to go back to your pistons.
Love the rotary engine - it's very reliable. I've been driving rotary-engine cars since 1972. It's a sports car, very fun to drive and quick to go fast. Only complaint is that I wish it got better gas mileage.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Alex M
It's sleek and eye drawing
The Mazda Rx8 is a great car in many aspects but some flaws are. The starter is rough and the power steering has problems but some of the good things are that it is a attractive and enjoyable car to drive. I like the car but I just wish that the parts were more affordable and easier to install yourself.
accountCircle Robert G
Mazda rx-8. Great car minus onboard computer issues.
My 2004 Mazda rx-8 has been a great car. I am the second owner, and my father was the first. The car has been very reliable for what most people consider a sports car. The car has had problems consistent with other similar types of cars. I will admit that replacing the onboard computer was a major hassle, and cost way more than it should for a 14 year old car. The process of getting the car to accept the new onboard computer was the biggest hassle of the whole ordeal. I essentially purchased the new computer through my auto mechanic, who in turn ordered the part directly from Mazda. Nothing out of the ordinary yet. So once the new computer was installed, it basically wouldn't accept the new vehicle, and was saying it was corrupted. Eventually my mechanic had to call Mazda, who ended sending their own technician to help fix the issue. This took three additional days on top of the 9 days it took for Mazda to ship the part and my mechanic to put the new part in. So in short, that was my only major complain about owning the car. Other than that, it has been a great car to own and drive.
accountCircle Samuel H
If you're looking for a low maintenance car, look elsewhere.
It was a Winkle engine, which does not operate the same was as a standard piston engine in most cars. It is fickle and requires a lot of preventive maintenance. If you want a car you can just drive and not think to much about, look elsewhere. If that doesn't discourage you, then it is a fun car to drive! You'll probably never drive another car that makes you feel more like a race car driver then this one.
accountCircle Faith K
Quick car for being a cheap car, nice sport look, reliable if taken care of.
The vehicle has a beautiful sport look, but a lot of care is needed if you own one. If you do not care for it there will be many problems in the long run. Keep up on the mechanics. It's a very touchy car when working on it. The back seat is not very roomy at all, but the performance of the car is excellent!

Mazda RX-8 Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
4dr Cpe Auto
197 HP 22-22 MPG 4 Seats
car
4dr Cpe 6-Spd Manual
238 HP 21-21 MPG 4 Seats
Photos may not match model

2004 Mazda RX-8 Owner Reviews

4.44
25 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 60%
4 stars 24%
3 stars 16%
2 stars 0%
1 star 0%
accountCircle Rosa R on June 16, 2021
Why you should get the rx-8
The Mazda rx-8 is a very comfortable car I goes really fast and can be very reliable. Only bad thing is the gas and mileage since my car is a 2004. The older the car the more issues it will have but mine is hanging on strong and is by far my favorite car. The roof has a automatic window and it has spoilers. Of course these were added on but the thing is this car looks good with everything it's also very fast. I can honestly say I'm very proud of this purchase.
accountCircle Nate K on March 6, 2021
It's good if you want a older car you can fix yourself
Nothing much other than a broken door handle and some scratches and dents on the left hand door and the ac dont work
View All Reviews (25) chevronRightAlternative

Ranks #7 Sports Cars by Owners

The 2004 Mazda RX-8 has an average owner rating of 4.53 out of 5 which ranks it #7 of 11 other Sports Cars.

1
Tie
car
2004 Honda S2000
5
1
Tie
car
2004 Toyota MR2 Spyder
5
7
car
2004 Mazda RX-8
4.46

Ranks #5 Sports Cars by Fuel Economy

The 2004 Mazda RX-8 has a combined MPG of 28 which ranks it #5 of 11 other Sports Cars.

1
car
2004 Acura RSX
34 MPG
2
Tie
car
2004 Toyota Celica
36 MPG
5
Tie
car
2004 Mazda RX-8
25 MPG

Is The 2004 Mazda RX-8 A Good Car?

Yes. I quite enjoy driving it, especially with the engine being different than the typical cylinder/piston engine.
April H.

How Reliable Is The 2004 Mazda RX-8?

It's fairly reliable. As long as you take good care of it and are up to date on car check ups, it will treat you well. You will have to add oil every now and then and will probably have to change your... Read More
Char T.

Is The 2004 Mazda RX-8 A Good Value?

I got mine used for about $6,000. I'm not sure how much it would cost new, but with it being a discontinued model, used is probably all you will find. I feel what I paid was a good deal.
Natasha I.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the 2004 mazda rx8 oil type?

Answer: EacH2004 Mazda RX-8 comes with the same 1.2L 2 cylinder engine, so regardless of Your trim level or other configuration, You'll always use the same engine oil; 3.7 quarts of SAE 5W-20 conventional motor oil is...
openInNew See all Frequently Asked Questions

Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test
(Not Tested)
*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety