GTP Cool Wall: 2003-2008 Mazda RX-8 (231 HP)
- Thread starter White & Nerdy
- 79 comments
- 3,985 views
- 2,153
- Great White North
Uncool. Looks ugly imo.
- 2,620
- Lincoln, NE
- huskeR_32
I'm going with cool. I personally like the looks quite a bit, and one of the funnest drives I ever had was in one of these. The lightweight engine made for fantastic balance, and the steering was a revelation for someone driving a Camaro at the time 
I couldn't pull the trigger on SZ, though, because there are many cars I'd probably rather own.
I couldn't pull the trigger on SZ, though, because there are many cars I'd probably rather own.
Wiegert
Premium
- 13,387
- United Kingdom
I've seen a few younger drivers go for one thinking £3-4k is an absolute steal for something so modern and sporty, which is exactly what they wanted at that age. Not taking into account the ridiculous running costs. Plus I've always been indifferent towards the 13B Renesis.
Overall I don't find them particularly cool. And I'm steering clear of a meh vote again. Though if I had to pick one cool thing about them, it would always be the interior.
Overall I don't find them particularly cool. And I'm steering clear of a meh vote again. Though if I had to pick one cool thing about them, it would always be the interior.
A gaudy, triangle-studded lump of a car, with an engine that retroactively branded all rotaries as "gutless", was contentiously overrated by Mazda, and tarnished the RX brand. Its brilliance as a driver's car can't make up for it being a misguided and disappointing followup to the RX-7.
I hope @White & Nerdy notices that I voted Seriously Uncool for this modern, sophisticated, handling-focused 1.3L 231hp car, while giving a SZ vote to the C2 Corvette.
I hope @White & Nerdy notices that I voted Seriously Uncool for this modern, sophisticated, handling-focused 1.3L 231hp car, while giving a SZ vote to the C2 Corvette.
- 5,303
- Riverside, Ca
- GTP_Leonidae_MFT
Sub Zero. Balanced, classic sportscar layout with sufficient power to make it fun to drive without being dangerous. Unique powerplant too. Somewhat practical thanks to the rear suicide doors.
- 8,191
- Southern Louisiana
- GTP_Kent
I couldn't vote this one from my phone or tablet because I felt like a post would be appropriate.
Basically, the car is super close to cool but falls into meh imho.
Great execution of concept, well detailed, unique, and edgy in many ways.
However, the outside appearance isn't really as good looking as I'd like it to be and the performance really isn't up to par with what I'd expect from anything carrying the "RX" from Mazda.
Basically, the car is super close to cool but falls into meh imho.
Great execution of concept, well detailed, unique, and edgy in many ways.
However, the outside appearance isn't really as good looking as I'd like it to be and the performance really isn't up to par with what I'd expect from anything carrying the "RX" from Mazda.
- 19,013
- Jersey V.1.0
- axletramp
I'm all a but 'meh' about RX-8s. I think if I had one I'd still secretly want the older but more powerful late model RX-7, which I would rate as 'cool'. However, those little back doors are superb, so it gets upgraded from 'meh' to 'cool'. 
- 3,023
- Peruibe, SP
I may grown fond of this car because racing video games, I was brain washed. But now reaing the comment, how the car looks like...I have my honest opinion. Sure Rotary engine is cool but it's not just that that makes it look cool.
It's okay really, but a huge downfall compared to his older brother, the RX-7. That one is SZ is every way.
This one, I'm going for Uncool.
It's okay really, but a huge downfall compared to his older brother, the RX-7. That one is SZ is every way.
This one, I'm going for Uncool.
Robin
Premium
- 16,799
- United Kingdom
This is it's biggest problem and it makes it so uncool, I can't speak for other countries but I have seen quite a few young people buy them because they are so cheap but that has made it a bit of a chav mobile.
Another thing thats uncool is that you can bet they will start banging on about the engine. They just love telling you all about the thing
- 22,551
- Arizona
- HamiltonMP427
The car never delivered for me and just couldn't do what it's predecessors could thus uncool, at least other Japanese sports cars capitalized on their previous version even if not as loved.
- 200
- Vatican City
Cool... A good car, but it can never live up to the RX-7. Wouldn't kick it out of the garage though~
- 11,775
- Marin County
Never been a fan of the 8, but they do make a good noise:
- 11,334
- The 51st state of america
- sparkytooth50001
Never did anything for me.
meh.
meh.
- 17,056
- United Kingdom
- 3,455
- Brisbane
- Uriehusky
- Uriehusky
The final, RX8 Spirit R models looked much better, and were also considerably faster. I got to drive one about a month ago and loved it.
How have I never seen a Spirit R RX8 before now? it completely changes my opinion about the car!
As for these becoming cheap.. not really.. at least not in NZ. You're still paying a great deal of money for a slow heavy coupe with a 98 percent chance of exploding when you take it to the redline if it wasn't properly maintained.
Which brings me onto the key issue I have with rotary's despite my burning, passionate love for them.
The rotary ritual - specifically with this generation. Imagine you're taking a girl out for a date, you start your car and all is going well. Then suddenly for no apparent reason you're redlining your car like a ****head in the middle of the town.
When questioned by your potential romantic partner as to why you're acting like a bellend, you calmly and carefully explain that due to the engines design, if you do not redline the motor every time you start it after a period of time when you DO redline the car it will explode.
Uncool because rotary rituals.
In saying that if your partner isn't down with cars personally I'd be looking elsewhere but lets keep it gen pop
- 4,209
- Wasilla, AK
See people? Caring about specific output isn't really cool after all!
- 200
- Vatican City
But I really care about the 170 hp that my 5.7 puts out.
Each and every one of those hp's
Each and every one of those hp's
- 3,455
- Brisbane
- Uriehusky
- Uriehusky
Because one person said so? what kind of warped logic is that.
To me, a higher hp/l means a better engine - doesn't effect how cool I feel the car is.
But y'know, you just generalise this whole site and dump anyone who disagrees with you into the "Specific output crowd" to justify your own mindset to yourself.
- 4,543
- Bay Area, CA
- Zenith113
No, that would be silly. I said cars that have to be explained are uncool. Cars that suffer from owners and fans who explain the car ad nauseam are also uncool, as demonstrated earlier.
It's hard to approach an RX-8 and just look at the car. They're normally accompanied by a guy who will fill your ear about a Le Mans race that's irrelevant to the car and some under-appreciated Kraut who's been dead for 25 years.
- 3,023
- Peruibe, SP
The final, RX8 Spirit R models looked much better, and were also considerably faster. I got to drive one about a month ago and loved it.
This should of eben the one in this cool wall. I admit, this one actualy looks sexy. I'd still give it a meh or a very low cool. But hey, what the hell. Total improvement. I guess.
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