There is nothing comparable available from any modern manufacturer and it is not troublesome to keep on the road year round. Over 11 years I have had few additional troubles with the car except for replacing a faulty heater control unit and leaky tail light enclosures. Steering has a quick ratio and manages a good feel of the road. With the rotary's aforementioned aversion to fuel-economy, torque, and emissions laws, though, it'll be a tough sell. The six-speed manual gearbox is the only way to go, as automatic models get a reduced redline and lower power ratings. I think the design is timeless and holds its own among sports cars even though production stopped in 2012 and is yet to be replaced. Also for 2009, Mazda rolled out a top-of-the-line R3 package, which includes a sport-tuned suspension, Bilstein shocks, and high-performance tires on 19-inch smoky forged-alloy wheels, plus foam-filled front-suspension crossmembers.
With the six-speed automatic, the engine makes 212 hp at 7,500 rpm, which is also the redline. Send Mike an Hide full review. . With tougher fuel economy rules looming, automakers are looking high and low for ways to improve gas mileage. It rides reasonably well and provided you have the engine in one of its relaxed upper gears both engine and road noise are quite muted.
It varied by road surface — with an especially pronounced roar on concrete interstates — but it was always present on the highway. I must admit I would like to get better gas milage during city driving and be able to use regular rather than premium gasoline. For a full list of safety features, check out the. While the car and its styling were fairly revolutionary when they hit the scene back in 2003, the new model and third generation of the car is likely to be far more evolutionary than revolutionary. Peak power is made at 9,000 rpm, and the engine gets a motorcycle-like wail when it's up there. This is a bit of a downside to a sports car with many upsides.
Sports cars have never been about practicality, though, and I would go without the easier backseat access if it meant a sleeker two-door coupe shape. Mazda's own design boss, Ikuo Maeda, told AutoCar that while the car will feature Mazda's newest design language and technology, it won't be a radical change from the current formula. As it is, you must keep the six-speed manual in the correct gear if you hope to keep the engine in its power band. Fortunately, the short-throw stick is a joy to shift; it moves precisely from gear to gear with an easy familiarity, giving you confidence the moment you hit the road. After the first 20,000 km. Most notably, Mazda bolstered the rotary engine with some significant seal and gasket improvements that should extend engine life and reduce oil consumption—always a rotary weakness.
Unfortunately, both were no longer under warranty. After the first 20,000 km. In front—which is where you want to be—you sit low to the road, though slightly more upright than other sports coupes, with a small-diameter steering wheel and close cockpit-style gauges. Snow tires are a must as are sand bags in the trunk to counterbalance a light rear end and rear wheel drive. I have driven it year round in all weather conditions for 11 years and one month. Thank goodness, it's extremely rev-happy and satisfying to exercise to its upper ranges.
An electronic stability system is optional. One of the problems with the rotary is it sucks gas at an alarming rate for such a small engine. A traditional coupe would have yielded more graceful body lines, but the extra doors make it a whole lot easier to get into the backseat. With the six-speed automatic, the engine makes 212 hp at 7,500 rpm, which is also the redline. So in my view, it is a keeper! Tire noise was especially noticeable. Both of those rpm levels are incredibly high for any production-car engine.
Rotary engines are so cool and have been excellent in competition. It's also not twitchy in the way that you might think a light, low, rather short sports car to be. So many times I have been thankful for the usable rear seats when I have needed space for more than two people or their luggage. Even though the ride is firm, it never crosses into unbearable roughness in normal driving. Both of those rpm levels are incredibly high for any production-car engine.
So far there has been no rust problems with the body work. The clutch is also forgiving and not overly grabby. I have driven it year round in all weather conditions for 11 years and one month. Maeda has told AutoCar that with just two seats and rotary power, but he has to get it past the management first. Standard safety features include side-impact airbags for the front seats, side curtain airbags and antilock brakes.