Great Taste, Less Torque: 2005 Mazda RX-8

They say less is more.  But who are they?  Does that apply to torque from an internal combustion engine? And have they ever driven a Mazda RX-8?  With 232 horsepower the 6-port Renesis has a decent amount of thrust at redline, but with only 159 ft-lbs of torque, this isn't exactly a tractor...but if you like your engines to be piston-free...the RX-8 was the last hurrah for Wankel's legendary rotary and they aren't getting any younger. Find this 2005 Mazda RX-8 offered for $5500 in Santa Clarita, CA via craigslist.

Ford Inline-6 Swapped: 2004 Mazda RX-8

The RX-8 was Mazda's replacement for the out of production RX-7, introduced as a last chance attempt at saving the rotary engine.  The RX-8 was built starting in 2003 and ending in 2011 when the lights went out on production of Felix Wankel's spinning machine...for now.  Anyway, the RX-8 rapidly gained the a similar reputation to the RX-7 -- specifically that it was a great car to drive, but the engine blew up faster than a Miley Cirus relationship -- which was around 62 minutes after the first spark.  So if you want to drive an RX-8 without worrying about your apex seals, you should swap in a Ford inline-6 from an F150.  Right? Find this 2004 Mazda RX-8 with Ford inline-6 offered for $1400 in Minneapolis, MN via facebash marketplace.

Restomod In Reverse: 2004 Mazda RX-8 Turbo

The Mazda FD generation RX-7 was one of the best looking cars of the 1990's.  Its twin turbo rotary engine made good power at 250hp, but had reliability issues related to the mess of vacuum lines on the engine.  The replacement RX-8 car was neither as good looking or as powerful as its predecessor.  The RX-8 Renesis engines were prone to flooding, did not run many miles before rebuilds, and were thirsty for the power output.  The RX-8's were known to handle amazingly well and had a set of funky rear jump doors that opened so that full size humans could fit in the back seats.  Today's car features a a single turbo JDM FD engine and totally custom gauge cluster installed into the newer RX-8.  Find this 2004 Mazda RX-8 for sale in Philadelphia, PA for $14,500 via craigslist.

Last of the Wankels: 2004 Mazda RX-8

A Mazda RX-8 with original paint that isn't peeling AND apex seals that haven't given up the ghost...NOW that's what I call a Christmas miracle!!  Find this 2004 Mazda RX-8 offered for $5,300 in Chambersburg, PA via craigslist. Tip from Jeff S.

LS V8 Swap: 2004 Mazda RX-8

The RX-8 was the last of the line for production rotary engines from Mazda or any other manufacturer.  It wasn't a bad car, but it wasn't the fastest thing from a Japanese dealer when new and cars haven't gotten any slower...HOWEVER, the chassis was sublime, so it makes the perfect donor car for something with some piston rings. Find this 2004 Mazda RX-8 here on eBay bidding for $2,350 with 3 days to go, located in Kansas City, KS.

Auction Watch: 2004 Mazda RX-8 37k miles

Find this 2004 Mazda RX-7 37k miles here on eBay offered for $4,995 located in Wrightstown, NJ.

Laissez Les Bons Temps Renesis: 1970 Volkswagen Beetle RX-8 Power

Happy Fat Tuesday to all the Cajuns, Louisianans, and alligators out in the audience, let me tell ya, nothing beats a good party down in the bayou country. Mardi Gras/Carnival/Shrove Tuesday marks the last day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of lent.  Modern celebrations include dressing up for huge street parties and decorating elaborate masks, so what better way to celebrate than with a car that is masquerading as something else.  Find this 1970 Volkswagen Beetle RX8 Swap offered here on eBay for $5,500 buy-it-now, located in Spring Valley, CA.  (The Renesleetle was previously featured in June of 2015).  Tip from Rod S. 

RX-8 Buyers Guide: How To Hit The Apex Without Getting Clubbed By A Seal

Words By DT Contributor RyanM:

Man, I miss my RX8.

If you're a gearhead / amateur grease monkey with an engine hoist, there's no better deal out there right now in the sports car world than a first generation (SE3P) 2004-2008 Mazda RX-8 . Just go into it with the right mindset and expect to spend $2k on the thing every 10 years. And throw what you know about engine maintenance out the door. They're still a Mazda, so the components of the car are solid - expect above average reliability from everything except the engine.

The bottom line here is to go into the RX8 experience with your eyes wide open.  Don't go into it expecting an economy car and economy car reliability.  Go into it expecting the reliability of an exotic, with the driving dynamics of an exotic, and engine maintenance costs (and frequency) of a Land Rover. 

10k: Seller Submission: 2005 Mazda RX-8

This next feature comes as a seller submission from Matt, who answered DT's hypothetical question "See a better place for a used rotary engine?" at the conclusion of the VolkRXwagen Reneseetle post.  In his words:  I do!  Selling my 05 RX-8 because I miss having a convertible and car ADD has struck hard.  Find this 2005 Mazda RX-8 offered for $8,000 in Columbia, SC via craigslist.

5k: Renesis Power: 1970 Volkswagen Beetle

For some reason, the Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle seems to attract Hillbillies like the Hot Pockets freezer section at your local Walmart.  After the freezer door opens, and the banjos come out, strange stuff happens.  Strange like putting a Renesis Wankel from a Mazda RX-8 into the back of a Volkswagen.  Find this 1970 Volkswagen Beetle with 13B-MSP power offered for $6,000 in San Diego, CA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

15k: RXV8: 2004 Mazda RX-8, LS1

The RX-8 was Mazda's replacement for the out of production RX-7, introduced as a last chance attempt at saving the rotary engine.  The RX-8 was built starting in 2003 and ending in 2011 when the lights went out on production of Felix Wankel's spinning machine...for now.  Anyway, the RX-8 rapidly gained the a similar reputation to the RX-7 -- specifically that it was a great car to drive, but the engine blew up faster than a George Clooney relationship...or about 4 years.  What do you do when your factory Mazda engine starts seeing other people?  Swap in a fuel injected Chevrolet V8.  Find this 2004 Mazda RX-8 with LS1 swap currently bidding for $12,000 reserve-not-met with 2 days to go.

15k Only A Matter of Time: 2004 Mazda RX-8 with Turbo GM V8

We seem to find V8 powered  RX-7s about as often as ex-Disney kid stars instagram n00d selfies (not sure what any of the three preceding words mean) to each other, which is apparently quite often.  It probably has something to do with the rotary engines spinning themselves into oblivion like a pill popping early twenties ex-teen star; you know, idle hands and all....  The RX-8 generation superseded the RX-7 in 2003 and at ten years old the early ones are just starting to be worth less than a good engine rebuilt costs.  Cue the torch wielding engine swappers like paparazzi armed with fuel injected cameras at a Miley Cyrus pajama party.  Find this 2004 Mazda RX-8 with LS1 V8 for sale in Norfolk, VA for $16,000 via craigslist.