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Key facts
This is the only rotary-powered car on sale in the UK (see The Engine That Didn't Change The World). There's a less powerful 192PS alternative, or you can go for the brilliant Prodrive-tuned PZ.

What we said
"The RX-8 turns in to corners with amazing sharpness and will accept bootfuls of throttle on the exit with only the occasional hint that the back end is in any way struggling to stay under control." (Road test - 16 September 2003 )

John says
"A nice car with very good handling. It's solid and predictable, with no vices that I can see.

"It's badly let down by the engine, which doesn't have enough low-end power. In fact there isn't much power at all, and it needs to have much more. The engine spoils the rest of the car."

David says
"Another car with a headroom problem for tall drivers wearing crash helmets. This time there wasn't the option of lowering the roof - instead, I had to recline the seat so far back that I must have looked as if I was expecting the attention of a gynaecologist. It's hard to control any car properly when your driving position is so compromised.

"Even that wasn't enough to spoil my enjoyment of the RX-8, though. Not completely, anyway. I love the way this car seems almost weightless as changes speed or direction, and a lot of the credit has to go to the very compact, almost centrally-mounted rotary engine.

"I'm not as hardcore as John on the power issue, but I agree that the RX-8 doesn't feel nearly as quick as it sounds. This was also the only car in the test that had trouble digging itself out of the second chicane at Castle Combe. I came through here at about 5500rpm in third gear, which is some way short of the engine's optimum rev band.

"Still, if I had been able to find a vaguely suitable driving position, I would happily have spent the rest of the day exploring the RX-8's limits, and discovering just how far you can take it before the laws of physics take over."

Verdict
A lovely car to drive, but not quite the complete package.

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