For many years, the Mazda RX-8 has been the unloved member of the Mazda rotary family. At least compared to the RX-7, it simply is not as cool, and there are a few reliability issues that haven’t helped its reputation.
However, that might be changing, with many seeing the Mazda RX-8 as a cool alternative to loud, shouty, and crazy powerful naturally-aspirated cars. Plus, the deeper you dig on the reliability side, the more you realize that, actually, the RX-8 is hardly the worst offender when it comes to durability.
The Wankel rotary engine has always held a special place in the hearts of enthusiasts, and the Mazda RX-7 seems to have become the real winner out of this love. But the lukewarm reception to the RX-8 meant that it was largely forgotten, which you can argue is actually incredibly unfair.
Now, though, it seems the tide has turned for this forgotten Mazda. Plus, if you want a decent sports car and don’t have to pay a silly amount of money, then maybe it is time to give the RX-8 another chance.
Why the Mazda RX-8 Hasn’t Always Been a Popular Car
After the popularity of the RX-7, it’s easy to see why Mazda would have expected the RX-8 to be equally as popular. While rotary engines weren’t perfect and often consumed a lot of oil, enthusiasts had a huge soft spot for them, but it took a nosedive with the RX-8.
For starters, the fuel economy of this latest Mazda sports car was poor. If you were lucky, you’d get around 12-17MPG from its twin-rotor Wankel engine, a figure that seems barely acceptable in 2026. At least the engine wasn’t short on power, with the 1.3-liter powertrain able to max out at 237hp and 159lb-ft of torque, so the sports car had plenty of grunt.
Other issues included ignition coil packs degrading faster than on a piston engine, causing unburnt fuel to clog up the catalytic converter and cause engine overheating. Oil consumption was also notably high in the RX-8, but perhaps the biggest problem came when the car failed to meet emissions standards in Europe in 2010, causing it to be pulled from the market.
With sales in Europe falling, plus higher yen prices in Japan, the company couldn’t justify continuing to produce and sell the RX-8 in other markets outside of Europe. In 2012, Mazda pulled the plug on the car, and it remains the last rotary sports car the company has produced to this date. But in 2026, it appears to be going through something of a renaissance.
The Mazda RX-8 Has Suddenly Become Cool Again
Being a Wankel rotary-powered sports car already gives the RX-8 an extra level of cool over something like a Porsche 911 or even a Honda S2000. Plus, as we can see on Classic.com, the car can sell for as little as $4,700, with a recent example of the Mazda selling for just $6,300. The average sales price at the time of writing currently stands at $13,098.
That price point makes it an attractive proposition for those seeking their first sports car, but not wanting to break the bank. While it has also forged a reputation for being unreliable, the RX-8 can go on for mile after mile if proper care is administered to it, with some owners easily getting to 50,000 miles with no issues. As time has passed, many have worked out just how easy it is to look after the car.
The RX-8 does look cool too, with a slick and sleek appearance, be it the first release or the updated facelift model from 2008 to 2012. Some of the reliability issues were also fixed by then, so getting one of the later examples gives you an excellent chance to really enjoy all of the good aspects of the Mazda.
Will The RX-8’s Popularity Continue To Rise?
Whether or not the car’s popularity continues to increase is open to debate, but there is clearly a bit more love for the quirky Mazda than there ever was when it was in production. As the last true rotary sports car ever made, it’s historically quite significant, something enthusiasts haven’t forgotten about.
The RX-8 also offers something very different from the norm, mainly down to its rotary engine. But it also provides a bit of nostalgia, harking back to a very different time, and reminding us that analog cars are probably more enjoyable than those filled with complex electronics. And for such bargain prices, you really can’t go wrong with the Mazda RX-8.