2008 BMW 1-Series vs 2009 Mazda RX-8

2008 BMW 1-Series

2009 Mazda RX-8

Select style

2-Door Conv 128i

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
1 Series 2-Door Conv 128i	18	28	$30,450	$33,100
1 Series 2-Door Conv 128i SULEV	18	28	$30,450	$33,100
1 Series 2-Door Conv 135i	17	26	$35,970	$39,100
1 Series 2-Door Coupe 128i	18	28	$26,310	$28,600
1 Series 2-Door Coupe 128i SULEV	18	28	$26,310	$28,600
1 Series 2-Door Coupe 135i	17	25	$32,110	$34,900

Select style

4-Door Coupe Automatic Grand Touring

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
RX-8 4-Door Coupe Automatic Grand Touring	16	23	$29,326	$31,700
RX-8 4-Door Coupe Automatic Sport	16	23	$24,470	$26,435
RX-8 4-Door Coupe Automatic Touring	16	23	$26,430	$28,560
RX-8 4-Door Coupe Manual Grand Touring	16	22	$28,681	$31,000
RX-8 4-Door Coupe Manual R3	16	22	$29,538	$31,930
RX-8 4-Door Coupe Manual Sport	16	22	$24,470	$26,435
RX-8 4-Door Coupe Manual Touring	16	22	$25,785	$27,860

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$30,450

$29,326

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$33,100

$31,700

Monthly Payment Estimate

$552 / month

$528 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.0

Read Our Full Review

7.8

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2008 BMW 1-Series makes a true Bimmer available for under $30,000 (but just barely).

If you want a sprightly, track-ready sports coupe with head-turning looks and a little extra space, the 2009 Mazda RX-8 will put a smile on your face.

TCC Likes

Acceleration of twin-turbo engine
Driver-oriented attitude
Rear-wheel-drive handling

New styling details and a design that still turns heads
Go-kart-like handling
Smooth, rev-happy rotary engine

TCC Dislikes

Styling not as pure as 3-Series
Sized too close to 3-Series
Weight too close to 3-Series

Very thirsty
Lack of torque requires frequent downshifting
Jiggly ride

Fuel Economy

City

18 mpg

16 mpg

Highway

28 mpg

23 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Subcompact

Sub-compact

Interior Dimensions

Second Leg Room (in)

31.3

32.2

Front Head Room (in)

38.6

38.2

Passenger Volume (ft³)

- TBD -

89.0

Second Hip Room (in)

- TBD -

48.1

Front Shoulder Room (in)

54.0

54.8

Second Head Room (in)

37.0

36.8

Passenger Capacity

Second Shoulder Room (in)

42.2

54.9

Front Leg Room (in)

41.2

42.7

Front Hip Room (in)

- TBD -

53.3

Exterior Dimensions

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

68.8

69.7

Track Width, Front (in)

58.3

59.1

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

4.7

Length, Overall (in)

172.2

175.6

Height, Overall (in)

55.6

52.8

Track Width, Rear (in)

59.6

59.3

Wheelbase (in)

104.7

106.4

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

9.1 - 10.7

7.6

Brakes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.8

12.7 x - TBD -

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

Yes

4-wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.8

11.9 x - TBD -

Brake Type

4-Wheel

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

16.9

Steering

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

36.8

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

16.0

16.43

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

35.1

34.8

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Pwr rack & pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

- TBD -

2.99

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P205/55R16

P225/45R18

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P205/55R16

P225/45R18

Spare Tire Size

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3494

3111

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Front Wheel Size (in)

16 x 7

18 x 8.0

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

16 x 7

18 x 8.0

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

- TBD -

9.2

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

110

Engine

Displacement

3.0L/183

1.3L/80

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

230 @ 6500

212 @ 7500

Engine Type

Gas I6

Gas Rotary

Fuel System

- TBD -

MPFI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

200 @ 2750

159 @ 5500

Engine Order Code

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

0.71

Trans Description Cont. Again

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.94

3.17

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.46

2.06

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.23

4.30

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.23

1.00

Trans Description Cont.

Manual

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.85

0.58

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.32

3.54

Clutch Size (in)

- TBD -

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.66

1.40

Summary

Vehicle Name

BMW 1 Series

Mazda RX-8

Body Style

2 Door Convertible

4 Door Coupe

Suspension

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut Type

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-link

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

Double-Pivot

Double Wishbone

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

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