Mazda RX-8

                

2010 Mazda RX-8 R3

Let's drive back in history. In 1957, a German by the name of Felix Wankel had a crazy dream which eventually became reality. He believed that you could take the four strokes of a standard reciprocating engine - intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust - and wrap them around a central hub. This motor trades in cylinders and pistons for ports on a rotor. The concept was revolutionary at the time with Mazda making one of the largest investments into the technology. More can be read about it here and its legacy lives on in the 2003-2011 RX-8. Click on to read more...

Being first introduced to the RX-8 working as a car porter, I thought the car was all hype - but I was mistaken. Combine a curb weight of around 3000lbs and 247hp in a rear-wheel driven car with near 50/50 weight balance and it becomes hard not to love this car. Winding out the 1.3 liter Wankel to its 8500 rpm red-line sounds like a 747 preparing for departure with a surge of power coming right in at 6500 rpm and staying with you up to the red-line. This angry acceleration is a surprise because at low revs you would simply assume this car to be all show and no go.

While the early examples of the RX-8 suffered some quality setbacks, Mazda has made sure to stand by their car for original owners. Used examples of the RX-8 may be hiding compression problems so thorough inspection is recommended before purchase, but considering the price-point to own one of the earlier models it is still a bargain. Searches in AutoTrader will quickly turn up low mileage used models in the low teens.

I love this car. In a land dominated by pistons and cylinders there stands the rotary RX-8. With German-like dedication, this defiant and powerful car continues on.