The Mazda RX-8 monocoque is made from steel with an aluminium bonnet and plastic bumpers front and rear. It has a pillarless opening between the front and rear doors, allowing for easy access to the rear seats. Mazda describes the meeting between the front and rear doors as a ‘virtual pillar', which provides side protection in the event of an accident. The rear-hinged back doors cannot be opened unless the fronts are opened first. Despite the fast-back styling, the RX-8 has a standard boot lid rather than tailgate, which limits access to the boot a little, but the boot is a decent 290 litres in capacity.
RX-8 bodywork should be largely rust-free
For a four-seat coupe, the RX-8 has reasonably compact dimensions of 4,430mm length, 1,770mm width and 1,340mm height. The 2,700mm wheelbase allows for good rear seat space and the engine is mounted well behind the front axle line to give it 50:50 front/rear weight distribution.
Rust should not be an issue on any RX-8 unless it has been in an accident. Some early cars suffered from rust spots on the sills, which was caused by a poorly-designed door seal where the front and rear doors meet. This should have been dealt with by Mazda under warranty. The only other places to look for rot are inside the petrol filler cap and around the high-level third brake light on the tailgate.
The rear lights can become misted up and need new seals to cure the problem, while the self-levelling adjustment that is standard on the 231hp models can fail and need an expensive replacement sensor. Halogen headlights were standard for the 192hp model and the 231hp came with xenons. The 231hp RX-8 also has headlight washers included where the 192hp did not.
Check for accident damage carefully
An electrically-operated tilt-and-slide sunroof was a desirable option when new and one of the few other options for the RX-8 was metallic paint. The 231hp Evolve special edition was offered in Copper Red Mica or Phantom Blue Mica and features a rotary crest on the front spoiler, dark silver headlamp surrounds, unique door mirrors, polished aluminium side vents and chromed exhaust pipes.
For the 231hp PZ, Prodrive fitted more aerodynamic door mirrors, black mesh grilles in the bumper, and a rear spoiler with Prodrive badging. Only 800 PZ models were made, finished in Galaxy Grey or Brilliant Black. The Nemesis limited run model was similar in appearance to the Evolve but was only available based on the 192hp model, while the Kuro was finished in Sparkling Black Mica and only 500 were made.
The 2009 update of the RX-8 saw a new front bumper, revised lights and a larger rear exhaust pipe. For the R3, Mazda added a lower front splitter, side sill extensions and rear spoiler.
Owner's view
"The front will get stone chips. Headlights are bi-xenon and superb – best headlights I’ve used. I do miss them now (sniff, sniff)."
Iain Bowman