With nice weather just around the corner, we couldn’t think of a better time to test drive the 2010 Mazda RX-8. Despite being in its sixth year on the market, the RX-8 still boasts a fresh and contemporary look. The four-door design with rear-hinged back doors gives the RX-8 a practical side with seating for passengers. However, don’t expect to squeeze back there if you’re on the taller side, because the space really isn’t comfortable for those above the five foot mark.
Unlike your typical sports car, the RX-8 is powered by a rotary engine. The 1.3 L engine with the manual transmission produces 232 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 159 lb-ft of torque at 5,500 rpm. With the automatic transmission, the horsepower does down to 212 hp. Unfortunately, when we tested the 0-60 time, the RX-8 lacked pep, hitting 60 mph around 7 seconds. But, on the flip side, the RX-8, while still a sports car, offers amenities you’d be more apt to find in a luxury sedan: heated seats, sun roof, heated side mirrors, rain sensing wipers, and keyless entry to name a few.
So now you’re probably asking yourself, “What will this cost me if i’m getting the best of both worlds?” The answer will probably surprise you. The RX-8 is very affordable, with a base price of $27,245 and an as-tested price of $33,170.
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