Mazda RX-8

What's the most dangerous act you can commit as a motoring journalist? No, not trying to perform dramatic cornering shots for the camera or over-running on a deadline, but recommending a car to a family member. Ever since I took our long-term Mazda RX-8 home last Christmas, and told my folks how good it was, my father has been after one - he was smitten by its looks and layout.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Owen Mildenhall

July 2004

Rating:

What's the most dangerous act you can commit as a motoring journalist? No, not trying to perform dramatic cornering shots for the camera or over-running on a deadline, but recommending a car to a family member. Ever since I took our long-term Mazda RX-8 home last Christmas, and told my folks how good it was, my father has been after one - he was smitten by its looks and layout.
So a month ago, he took delivery of his own - a 228bhp model similar to ours. But what if it failed to live up to his expectations? Luckily for me, my dad's been having a whale of a time.
As have we, racking up 6,000 miles since our last update in Issue 803. The most fun we had in GJ53 WLV was during our annual Greatest Drives feature (Issue 812) at the Ty Croes circuit, Anglesey, back in May. The RX-8 earned plaudits from all quarters and was ranked seventh out of 25 - after getting behind the wheel, ITV rally commentator Robbie Head declared the handling excellent.
As you'll have read in last week's magazine, we also voted the four-door rotary-engined machine our favourite coup