USED Mazda RX-8 Coupe (03 - 11)

My car

An excellent car to drive but a little costly to insure and heavy on petrol. But worth it.

My car

I have owned this car for 12 months and 20,000 miles. I have never had so many problems.

The gearbox has been replaced, it squeeks and rattles like and old bus and, despite being off the road for a total of five weeks for many attempted fixes (the rattling passenger sear drives me mad), it's just as bad as ever.

Oh - and it often won't start. A technician looked at the car and then wrote a report to say there's no fundamental issue with it. Two weeks later it would not start again!

So I am now in the process of selling it back to the dealer at considerable financial loss because I have had enough. A real shame as it looks fantastic. Mazda UK and the dealership could both do with looking up the phrase "customer service". Apparently it's OK to sell you a car that's not of acceptable quality, and with a design fault which often stops it starting, but you are expected to just keep taking it back for another attempted fix.

It will be the one and only Mazda I ever buy.

My car

I have owned the car since new for nine months now and covered 15,000 miles. It is everything people say about it and more. Yes, the fuel economy is frustrating (averaging 20mpg in daily use) but this is more than made up for by the sheer pleasure in driving it, the fact I can get my kids in the back with no hassle and the build quality.

I have had absolutely nothing go wrong with this car, no annoying squeaks, or bumps or rattles and the first service cost circa £100. Its road holding is superb and it is great fun to throw round the lanes, the acceleration (especially in third) is phenomenal and the car looks the part.

The only downsides are that rear tyre wear is heavy with a consequent impact on handling and the blind spots when turning right at an angled junction can make it difficult to see what's coming. Other than that it's a great car.

My car

The RX-8 is a real driver's car and it has a great deal of praticality.

If you have a family but still enjoy the open road and want something that looks stunning then this is the car for you.

I love its looks, its performance and above all its handling that builds confidence in you,you have good room for four, it's a real four-seater not like a Celica or a TT.

The downside? None for me apart from the mpg. I average 25mpg, but when you hear that roaring engine that begs to be driven its more than worth it.

My next car will be the 231 version and I may not wait too long to get it.