by Holly R.

Pros:

• VERY roomy
• Engine pick-up is really good
• Safe and very fun to drive (yes, both in the same sentence)
• Big vehicle feel in a slightly smaller package
• Not a whole lot of them on the road (yet)
• Voice recognition system

Cons:

• Volume control for stereo is really far away (the steering wheel one is good)
• “Zoom, zoom” might actually get you in trouble…
• I do actually prefer the XM® Satellite Radio over Sirius® (but I’m really searching for “cons”).
• Voice recognition system

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By Gary Chan

Pros

• Rigid car
• Driving dynamics
• Driving position/seating
• Engine is turbine-like

Cons

• Fuel economy
• Oil consumption
• Small trunk and back seat
• Low height
• Low torque

I remember when a high school classmate got a brand new RX-7 in the mid 80’s … that was back when the BMW 320i and the Porsche 944’s were out … and have always liked the car especially the 3rd generation RX-7. Well, a lot has changed since then with updates and technology advances so I was excited to be able to drive this 40th Anniversary Edition. Having never driven a RX-7/8, I was excited to learn how a rotary felt and the driving dynamics of the RX-8. The last Mazda I drove was the phenomenal Mazdaspeed3. Thus, the bar was set high.

Driving Impressions
The gray metallic color of the car camouflages the sportiness of the car. Who would suspect a gray-colored Japanese car to perform so well; lucky for me, I never garnered any interest from the police.

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Sometimes you just have to let it all hang out. Sometimes you are inspired to drive the wheels off a car because you just can. And there are the times when it all comes together and you know everything is just right in the motoring universe. Such was the case when I took Mazda’s 40th Anniversary Edition RX-8 to (of all places) Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca located in Monterey, CA. Read the rest of this entry »

By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

• Telepathic, idiot proof performance
• More fun than your first go-kart
• Retractable hardtop is genius

Dings:

• Intrusive door panel cupholders
• Retractable hardtop still isn’t a true hardtop

Ruling: A legendary weekend sports car becomes a legendary every day sports car. Read the rest of this entry »

By Gary Chan

Introduction
I was so excited to hear that the Mazdaspeed 3 was available to test drive. I’ve always loved small agile cars and this epitomized that ideal with power to spare. The field has narrowed over the years and the Mazda is the first one in a while to bring excitement to the tarmac.

PROS

• Powerful engine
• Strong brakes
• HID headlights
• Driving ergonomics
• Suspension (perfect for performance driving)

CONS

• Somewhat notchy shifter
• No remote rear hatch release
• LCD information limited to one line and does not auto scroll
• Suspension (a bit firm for around town driving)

Read the rest of this entry »

Related Posts

• 2008 Mazda CX-9 - the Zoom, zoom, zoom SUV!
• Mazda RX-8 Review - Japanese Rocket Ship with Turbine Smooth Rotary
• Driving Impressions: Mazda RX-8 40th Anniversary Edition
• 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review - Can it Really be Improved?

MAZDA FURAI CONCEPT AND NEW MAZDA RX-8 TO MAKE WORLD DEBUT AT 2008 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

HIROSHIMA, Japan, December 12, 2007 – Mazda Motor Corporation will showcase the world premieres of the Mazda Furai concept vehicle and the heavily revised new Mazda RX-8 sports car at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), to be held in Detroit from Sunday, January 13 through Sunday, January 27, 2008. On the heels of its show-stopping debut at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show in October, the Mazda Taiki concept vehicle also will make its North American debut, the first time it has been shown outside Japan. Additionally, Mazda will have a special display of racecars on its stand during the press days, and the full lineup of production cars for consumers to sample on the public days. Read the rest of this entry »

The new Mazdaspeed3 landed in the U.S. in mid-September and its sensational. Employing the same 2.3-liter turbo four as the Mazdaspeed 6, but with retuned intake and exhaust systems, and a modified ECU that reduces torque levels in 1st through 3rd gears, this super-Mazda generates 264 hp at 5,500 rpm and 280 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. That translates into a rather quick 0-60-mph time of 6.1 seconds and more fun than a Slippery-Slide on a hot mid-summer day.

Watch the video review as Kurt sums up the character of this fun hatch and cranks up the boost along the way.

For the full review of the Mazdaspeed3, click HERE

By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings

• Soul of a sports car
• Gutsy turbocharged four cylinder
• Inspired design inside and out
• Safe

Dings

• Thirst of a sports car
• Low rear visibility
• No illumination on manumatic shifter indicator

Ruling: A stylish, practical family vehicle that appeals to the driving enthusiast.

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>> Mazda CX-7 overview

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>> Do you have an opinion of the Mazda CX-7? Submit your review of a 2007 or 2008 Mazda CX-7 at CarReview.com

>> www.mazda.com - the official website of Mazda Motor Corporation

– 2008 Race Schedule – Eight Great Weekends –

December 6, 2007 (Orlando, Fla.). Using the largest motorsports trade show in the world as the venue, the world’s most popular sports car has joined forces with one of the world’s most popular brands, as Playboy becomes the title sponsor for the 2008 . The MX-5 Cup saw thirty-percent growth in 2007 and is projected to become the number one spec professional series in the world. The series is also an integral part of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder that promotes champions of Mazda series to the next level of their career.

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