Are Mazda RX-7 & RX-8 Good Daily Drivers? (7 Vital Aspects)
Excepting their poor fuel economy, Mazda RX7 and RX8 are affordably-priced sports coupes and racy everyday cars that don’t beat you up in your daily commute.
RX7 & RX8’s Daily-Driver Positives
#1 Sedan-Like Comfort
What sets the Mazda RX8 apart from other performance coupes is its ability to offer sports car performance without the typical stiff ride.
Very few cars better balance athletic handling and ride quality than the lightweight, 3,100-pound RX8.
Vastly improving on the RX7’s harsher ride, the Mazda RX8 can comfortably carry four adults, thanks to well-shaped seats and a roofline that allows ample headroom in the back.
It has the look of a race-tuned sports car while providing plenty of grip when cornering and solid feedback through the steering wheel, but its compliant ride makes daily driving an RX8 a straightforward choice.
The RX8 is decidedly more comfortable than the RX7 for everyday use.
#2 Four-Seater
The older RX7 is a two-seater coupe and convertible (up to the 1991 model), while the RX8 can seat two additional passengers.
Most sports cars have such tight passenger room in the back that only small children or cargo can fit, but the RX8 features a pair of pillar-less rear-hinged doors that allow access to a surprisingly decent-sized backseat.
The unique door system with hinges at both ends makes rear-seat ingress and egress faster and easier.
Provided they are under 6 feet tall, rear passengers will find supportive seating and sufficient room all around.
This advantage puts these Mazda coupes ahead of direct competitors of their time, the Nissan 350Z and the newer Nissan 370Z.
You can store luggage or grocery bags in the rear-seat area, but unfortunately, the seatback doesn’t fold to increase cargo space.
#3 Butter-Smooth (But Torque-Deficient) Rotary Engine
The RX8 carries a naturally-aspirated, rotary engine, similar to the one under the RX7’s hood, but with a few significant improvements.
It makes almost as much power as the RX7’s engine but is 30 percent lighter and more compact.
It’s a unique engine design that squeezes maximum power from minimum displacement (1.3-liter), capable of revving up to 9,000 rpm with ease, but lacks low-end torque (only 159 pound-feet).
Although the power delivery is smooth, the mediocre torque output can be frustrating in town or traffic.
On the plus side, the power plant’s compactness allows for the low hood and short overhangs while providing more interior room.
The engine’s reduced size and weight and low center of gravity enhance the car’s maneuverability and performance.
#4 Fairly Good Visibility
Views out of the RX8 are reasonably good, with a low dashboard and large glass area relative to the small cockpit.
However, shorter drivers may find the visibility more challenging with the low seating position in these Mazda coupes.
RX7 & RX8’s Daily-Driver Negatives
#5 Average Upkeep Cost (But Age-Dependent)
According to RepairPal, the Mazda RX7 costs a modest $346 per year to maintain.
The RX8 is a little costlier, but its $517 annual repair and maintenance expense is reasonable considering subcompact cars average $456 a year – and that average includes non-sports vehicles.
However, repair and maintenance costs vary depending on vehicle age and mileage, plus location and shop.
Considering their advancing age, expect to pay increasingly more as they get older.
A car in poor condition will need a considerably higher overhaul budget to bring it up to scratch though.
#6 Thirsty Engine
Power delivery and transmission are smooth, but the fuel economy is unimpressive in the Mazda RX7 and RX8.
Their small displacement but lovably high-revving engines cost as much as SUVs at the pump.
Both return 18-mpg combined, and mileage above 20 mpg is only possible if your daily commute consists primarily of highway drives.
You can run the older RX7 with regular gas, but Mazda recommends the use of premium fuel for the newer RX8.
Most higher-performance entry-level sports cars are more fuel-efficient than the Mazda RX models.
(See RX8 alternatives later in the post)
#7 Inadequate Crash Safety
2010 was the final model year that underwent government crash tests, and the results are mediocre.
It received 4 out of 5 stars in the frontal and side crash tests (driver-side), although the front passenger assessment achieved 5 stars.
Crucially, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) strengthened its crash test requirements in 2011, under which the RX8 did not test.
Front airbags are available in the RX8, with four-wheel antilock brakes (ABS) and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD).
The older RX7 has less safety equipment.
Conclusion:
Is the Mazda RX7 a Good Daily Driver?
Despite being the older of the two, the RX7 is a faster coupe than the RX8; the former’s twin-turbo rotary engine produces 255 horsepower, 20-plus more than the latter.
Crucially, the RX7’s turbo pumps out considerably more torque – 217 lb-ft vs. 159 lb-ft in the RX8.
The Mazda RX7 is a more exciting two-seater sports coupe but is less suitable for everyday use due to its harsher ride and high fuel consumption for such a small car.
Still, the RX7’s interior is more spacious than the Mazda’s other two-seater, the MX-5 Miata, although its rotary engine is less reliable than the Miata’s in-line four.
Is the Mazda RX8 a Good Daily Driver?
In an effort to make the engine more reliable and reduce emissions, the RX8’s power plant lost its turbos and torque output, even though it still revs smoothly.
Although the Mazda RX8 gained weight (over the RX7) and remained as thirsty, it is a comfortable daily driver with its compliant ride and usable four-seat configuration.
Plus, a used RX8 is considerably cheaper than the highly-prized RX7.
The high fuel cost and sluggish acceleration are the RX8’s apparent drawbacks.
Alternatives to the Mazda RX7 and RX8
It’s hard to ignore the appeal of a lightweight four-seater coupe like the RX7 and RX8, but they are dated machines, and several higher-performing and fuel-efficient alternatives are available.
Table Guide:
- Engine: base trim; +drivetrain.
- Fuel Economy: mpg combined (base trim).
- Fuel Type: Prem=premium; ReQ=required; ReC=recommended.
- Maintenance Costs: per year avg. (RepairPal).
- Visibility: excellent, good, average, poor.
- Ride Comfort: excellent, good, average, poor.
| Engine | Horsepower | Fuel Econ. | Fuel Type | Maint. Costs | Visibility | Ride Comfort | |
| Mazda RX-7 | 1.3L-Rotary-RWD | 255-hp | 18-mpg | Regular | $346 | Average | Average |
| Mazda RX-8 | 1.3L-Rotary-RWD | 232-hp | 18-mpg | Prem-ReQ | $517 | Average | Good |
| Nissan 370z | 3.7L-V6-RWD | 332-hp | 20-22-mpg | Prem-ReC (2009) Prem-ReQ (2010-2020) | $504 | Poor | Poor |
| Subaru BRZ | 2.4L-flat-4-RWD (2022-present) 2.0L-flat-4-RWD (2013-2020) | 228-hp (2022-present) 200-205-hp (2013-2020) | 22-mpg (2022-present) 24-25-mpg (2013-2020) | Prem-ReQ | $672 | Good | Average |
| Ford Mustang | 2.3L-i4-T–RWD (2015-present) 3.7L-4.0L-V6-RWD (1994-2017) | 210-310-hp | 20-26-mpg | Prem-ReC (2015-present) Regular (1994-2017) | $709 | Average | Average |
| Mazda Miata | 1.8L-2.0L-i4-RWD | 116-181-hp | 22-29-mpg | Prem-ReC | $429 | Average | Average |
Fuel economy is one of the essential pillars of an excellent daily driver, and these alternatives are compelling options if you want a high-performance, rear-wheel-powered car.
The latest Mazda MX-5 Miata has one of the most fuel-efficient engines among sports cars.
Its cockpit is more cramped than the RX7, but if you’re average-sized, the MX-5 is newer and more reliable while possessing a fun-to-drive character and smooth ride.
If the RX8 appeals with its four-occupant accommodation, the Subaru BRZ and Ford Mustang have rear seats – albeit tight – ride sufficiently comfortably for daily use besides offering weekend thrills.
Their four-cylinder engines have more low-end torque while remaining frugal.
References:
https://www.carsdirect.com/1994/mazda/rx-7/specs
https://www.carsdirect.com/2011/mazda/rx-8/specs
https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/MAZDA/RX-8/4%252520DR/RWD