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Mazda RX-8 SE3P

Only gen (Renesis)2003–2012

Four doors, four rotors of fuel. Rotary's last stand.

30 reviewers · 53 videos · 12 hours watched

// 00 the verdict

Reviewers strongly agree on its handling and fun to drive, but split on performance and daily drivability.

across 30 reviewers

// scorecard at a glance
// where reviewers split
Performance
11 say · liveable

"it is a really you know rev happppy engine it revs all the way to 9,000 with no hesitation"

Zygrene · ▶ 8:23
5 say · critical

"there's just not enough oomph under the hood to fully exploit the car's handling potential."

MotorWeek · ▶ 3:26
Daily drivability
12 say · liveable

"the big surprise here is just how luxurious this car is. In addition to it being as good to drive and sporty as it is, I have great visibility. These seats are super comfortable."

TheTopher · ▶ 24:00
7 say · critical

"You cannot take this car and drive it somewhere where the engine didn't get fully warmed up and then shut it off. That is destined to kill your engine."

EverydayDriver · ▶ 25:33
Value
18 say · liveable

"you're talking about pretty much one tenth of the price for an rx8"

RAD Potential · ▶ 11:20
3 say · critical

"you have to be willing to deal with the more intensive maintenance that you get with a rotary"

Zygrene · ▶ 12:46
// the categories
// 01

Performance

3.5/530 of 30 reviewerssplit

“it is a really you know rev happppy engine it revs all the way to 9,000 with no hesitation”

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 8:23

“It revs smoothly all the way up to 9,000 rpm.”

positive · CARPRIME|カープライム · ▶ 64:01

“there's just not enough oomph under the hood to fully exploit the car's handling potential.”

critical · MotorWeek · ▶ 3:26
// 02

Handling

4.5/527 of 30 reviewersstrong consensus

“Oh, the chassis is amazing. It just feels like a bigger Miata with slightly better steering.”

positive · TheTopher · ▶ 20:29

“It just dances through these corners.”

positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 27:13

“When we take it through corners, it’s a car that handles extremely well.”

positive · Grand Story · ▶ 23:08
// 03

Fun to drive

4.5/530 of 30 reviewersstrong consensus

“It's a really enjoyable power level, too. I mean, you can rev this thing out to 9 grand all day long”

positive · TheTopher · ▶ 32:16

“Oh, this car is so delightful to drive.”

positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 27:36

“I've been grinning, giggling, and laughing the entire time. I've been smiling ear to ear almost painfully.”

positive · ShootingCars · ▶ 18:20
// 04

Daily drivability

3.0/529 of 30 reviewerssplit

“the big surprise here is just how luxurious this car is. In addition to it being as good to drive and sporty as it is, I have great visibility. These seats are super comfortable.”

positive · TheTopher · ▶ 24:00

“Seriously, four people can move around easily in this space.”

positive · CARPRIME|カープライム · ▶ 51:32

“You cannot take this car and drive it somewhere where the engine didn't get fully warmed up and then shut it off. That is destined to kill your engine.”

critical · EverydayDriver · ▶ 25:33
// 05

Value

4.0/528 of 30 reviewerssplit

“you're talking about pretty much one tenth of the price for an rx8”

positive · RAD Potential · ▶ 11:20

“They're dirt cheap because nobody wants to run a car like this that won't pass emissions.”

positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 29:07

“Second-hand prices are good right now, not too high, the cheapest among sports cars.”

positive · Grand Story · ▶ 18:08

Hear it in the reviewer’s words

Roads Untraveled
Posted Jun 13, 2026Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
Grand Story
Posted Feb 26, 2026Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
TheTopher
Posted Jul 27, 2025Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
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Head to head
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