Mazda RX-8 R3

2009 Mazda RX-8 R3As-tested price: $32,580Drivetrain: 1.3-liter rotary; RWD, six-speed manualOutput: 232 hp @ 8,500 rpm, 159 lb-ft @ 5,500 rpmCurb weight: 3,064 lbFuel economy (EPA/AW): 18/18.0 mpgOptions: None
OUR TAKE: The RX-8 is without question one of the most rewarding cars to drive hard and toss from corner to corner. But the car’s handling prowess has been raised a notch with this R3 package. Fans of the last-generation RX-7 will notice this is the continuation of the R1 and R2 trims that featured sportier suspension dynamics. However, those cars were one-trick ponies that handled a turn like nobody’s business but absolutely trounced you during normal driving. This R3 embodies both the sharp handling skills that you want on a track and a comfortable-enough ride for every time in between.
The car exhibits great turn-in, stellar steering feedback and is solidly planted. Credit the 50/50 weight distribution and the stiffened chassis for the well-balanced experience. Steering has good weight and is responsive with the R3-specific, 19-inch forged rims, which are couple of pounds lighter than the 18-inch versions on all non-R3 RX-8s.
Styling updates help make the car a bit sharper looking, too, with a more squared-off front-bumper cover and larger ducts for the dual oil coolers. The R3 package also includes the side sills, rear spoiler, fog lights and the aforementioned 19-inch wheels to help give the car a sportier visual appeal. One flaw was that the left-side sill would emit an annoying rattle when cruising down the expressway at about 75 mph.
Sure, the rotary may lack torque, but there’s good power way up in the rev band, and the engine is more than willing to spin at 8,000 rpm all day. And while there was no power bump for 2009, Mazda did take some steps to improve throttle response, which is nice for going down a couple of gears before a turn. Bottom line is that this car isn’t a straight-line machine; it’s a corner-carving instrument. And if you drive it right, you will stay in the meat of the rev band without any problems.