2004 Mazda RX-8 

Sports cars are fast and fun.  Truth be told, they're also usually a purely selfish indulgence.  Their powerful engines are often gas-guzzlers, less than friendly to the environment and they're typically two-seaters, making them of little use to friends and/or family who may be longing to come along for the ride.  Mazda has created a kinder, more generous sort of sports car.  The Concept RX-8, the company's thinly veiled future flagship vehicle, seats four and boasts an engine that's powerful and somewhat fuel-efficient.

For consignment, a 2004 debut year for the 4 seated RX-8.  It is a 28,863 title verified mile sports car but with a 2 plus 2 seat configuration, and the addition of a half door for rear passenger access.  A long wheelbase, 6-speed manual transmission so you can be the driver of an E ticket ride and take some friends along for the thrill!

Exterior
With its rounded shapely front end which includes exaggerated front bulbous fenders, aero headlights and a Jaguar-esque front blackened egg crate grille, black chain spoiler and some lower fog lighting, it looks lean and mean staring at you.  On the descending end of said front fenders is an air intake, then the doors begin.  There is no B pillar per-se, just a long front door for access for the passenger and driver.  Just aft of this door is a half door which can only be accessed after the long front door is opened.  This does allow easier rear seat access.  The rear glass has a somewhat greenhouse effect with its wrap-around styling and it melts into a very small rear trunk deck which sports a spoiler on top.  The car is bathed in Titanium Gray Metallic and has black accenting and tinted glass.  The side view has an unusually long wheelbase, which is not typical of a sports car, but keep in mind the passengers it does accommodate.  On the back, the rear deck has the wrap-around tail lighting with a large round brake light on the edge, reminiscent of the earlier RX-7.  On the bottom below the body below the neoprene bumper is the dual exhaust exits and a black rear diffuser.  18-inch sporty wheels are wrapped by 245/40R18 Potenza high grip rubber all around all from 2011.

Interior
A swing of the front full and rear half doors reveals molded panels in plastic and these are very shapely.  They include a satin faux aluminum built in actuator and plenty of power buttons to operate conveniences.  Inside the dash uses a circular theme with circular eyeball vents, a trio of overlapping circular gauges under a half circular dash visor.  The central dash also has the circle theme with all controls in a large circle and circular knobs for climate controls.  As the dash melts into the console we note the shifter which is topped with a handle that is reminiscent of the “Dorito” shaped triangle, (from the rotary design engine), some power toggles and a large handbrake.  Just behind is the storage bin/armrest covered in black leather and hiding the cup holders.  Black leather covers the shapely high back buckets which have curvaceous stitched panels and another “Dorito” triangle insert for the built on headrests.  A swing of the back half door reveals smaller rear buckets which flank the rear portion of the central console.  Front buckets have power movements, and the rear offer up more storage and a panel for locking trunk access for extra long items.  Nicer black carpeting covers the floors and above is a charcoal gray headliner.   Lighting is blue and adds a neat effect when on.

Drivetrain
Under the hood under enough clean plastic coverings one would think you are under the hood of a German car, but alas NOT!  Here we have a 1.3-liter 250-horsepower rotary engine.  Dubbed the Renesis -- is a new type of rotary, similar to the one that was offered in Mazda's RX-7, (last sold here in 1995), but with a few significant improvements.  It makes almost as much power as the RX-7's turbocharged engine, (with power levels up to 250 horsepower at 8,500 rpm), but is 30 percent lighter and more compact.  It has EFI and a 6-speed manual transmission with a 4.44 geared rear axle.  

Undercarriage
In a word Pristine!  No rust, just clean surfaces and solid structure.  Independent double wishbone front suspension and independent multi link rear suspension provide the rail like handling and smooth ride. Power disc braking is on all 4 corners.   

Drive-Ability
I climbed inside and fired her up.  It came to life with a mighty buzz and on the test track it had neck snapping acceleration, good handling and is overall comfy for the ergonomics.  The rear passengers will find it a bit tight but still accommodating.  All functions were working swimmingly.

Plenty of maintenance records, rotary technology in use for the power plant, and neat interior design with those extra seats.  Grab some friends and let's go for a ride.

JM1FE173640110574

J-Japan
M-Mazda
1-Passenger Car
FE-RX8
1-1.3 Liter Rotary
7-Manual Trans
3-Manual Belts, Front Airbags
6-Check Digit
4-2004
0-Hiroshima, Japan Assy Plant
110574-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.