USED Mazda RX-8 Coupe (03 - 11)

My car

I'm on my second RX-8, this time a PZ. Handling up there with the very best - it's razor-sharp, has lots of power, is docile around town and has a nice low-speed ride, too. It's a genuine sports car with four-seater practicality and a reasonable boot, too (although its small opening limits the size of bags you can put in it).

Sadly, too many inexperienced drivers have bought this car, not understanding what's involved in the ownership of a high-revving, high-performance car.

Fuel consumption is good for the power, too - many compare it to some sort of small-engined family car. The only downside is its relatively small range - a bigger tank would be nice.

Drive it as it was designed and keep the revs in the 4-9000 band (it revs happily to 9000 - what other cars can do that?) and torque is in abundance. Only poor driving gives an owner the belief there's nothing available.

Reliability has been nearly exceptional on both cars, apart from the rusting wheels on the first. Interior quality is the only area where price has dictated some savings. It's not bad, but not the best, either.

Servicing is on the cheap side compared to similar sports cars.

Ignore the myth about oil - it uses little more than similar cars - expect a litre every 2000 miles or so.

So remember if you are thinking of buying one, it's a high-powered, high revving sports car, and pound for pound as good as it gets - if it's economy and practicality you are after, buy a diesel estate.

My car

I've now had the car for three years from new and with 82,500 miles on the clock it's pretty much on its last legs!

Firstly, like the majority of drivers of the RX8 the comments of great to drive, looks good, drinks fuel and oil etc are bang on.

However, I would like to add that reliability is somewhat poor to say the least! I've had two sets of alloys due to corrosion, a boot respray due to corrosion, a new fuel pump (took two weeks to fix), constant starting problems despite the upgrade and now it requires new oil cooler pipes and a new clutch.

The car is highly strung. Although I have enjoyed the past three years owning the car (believe it or not ) personally I would not have another! Get it sorted Mazda - rust in this day and age is not acceptable!

My car

I love my RX8: it handles brilliantly and is a real head turn (mine is red with air inlet fins and steel petrol cap, which are nice touches).

It is fast, reliable, comfortable and very practical, having four doors.

The insurance is really reasonsible, however there are some things which you need to consider: Fuel consumption is huge. It loves a drink of petrol and I seem to live in the petrol station. Cost of service is pretty high. Both my key fobs have given up and had to be replaced at £150 each Cost of having replacement work, i.e. brakes etc, is very high Road tax - Eeeeekkkk!

Anyway, if you can live with a car that does around 250 miles on full tank (£50.00) around town (it's a little bit better on a run - it hits 300 miles) then go for it!

And despite the bad press, it doesn't really use that much oil. I have very rarely needed to top it up (perhaps four times in 18 months).

I do love my car. I love the drive, I love the looks and I love the way it feels and the general comfort.

The RX8 is really quite special.

My car

I've owned a 189bhp RX-8 since May 2006, I tested a number of cars but wanted the practicality of four seats with a unique design and sports car performance - this is a tall order to get right and in my opinion puts the RX-8 in a league of its own for a coupe. Fair enough, the BMW 335i and Audi RS4 are quicker, but a lot more expensive.

Cars like this will always have a number of detractors but it sticks to the road like glue. Yes, it needs a bit of work to get performance, but a car that revs at 9000rpm is always going to take some effort. Handling is impeccable and the cabin is well refined for the price.

Although back-seat legroom isn't fantastic, the boot holds a surprising amount which no two-seater sports coupe would dare argue with. I've not had a problem with the sound system, and the leather interior with heated seats are fantastic in winter.

I paid £19,000 for this car and quite simply on value for money the car is just superb. There's only one snag - the undercarriage plates guarding the exhaust system are far too low and you constantly catch these, which in turn rattle against the exhaust itself. Mazda has taken these off, but this is the only teething problem.

All in all, and taking into account the price, you have to give this car a 5/5 rating.