You've been complaining that no one makes interestingly different cars anymore, and now you have a chance to own one. You like the idea of an engine that not only can but must spin above six grand to be entertaining or useful. You think all doors should be suicide doors. You've never thought fuel economy or stoplight drags were primary considerations in buying a car. A good healthy session of Wankelry is an important part of your day. The thought of having one of the best-handling vehicles on the road is enough to make you overlook a few considerable flaws. You're the kind of person who laughs often, for a lot of reasons, and want a car with a similar disposition.

You don't get jokes. Ever. You like to let others have the interesting new experiences and the headaches that come with them. You have a thing about good old stump-pulling torque, or at least briskly-away-from-a-stoplight-pulling torque. You strongly disapprove of rear-hinged automotive access apertures and call them "genocide doors." You can't get past the idea of getting 16 city mpg and a 7-second 0-to-60 time out of the same vehicle. You were brought up to believe Wankelry is immoral, filthy and should be outlawed. Handling either just isn't important to you or you live where it isn't even a factor.

Speed Merchants: Yes

Fashion Victims: No

Treehuggers: No

Mack Daddies: No

Tuner Crowd: Yes

Hairdressers: No

Penny Pinchers: No

Euro Snobs: No

Working Stiffs: No

Technogeeks: Yes

Poseurs: No

Soccer Moms: No

Nascar Dads: No

Golfing Grandparents: No

• Infiniti G37 Coupe

• Nissan 350Z

• Honda S2000

• Ford Mustang

• A really nice used 93-95 RX-7; they're gorgeous

• Audi A5

• Manufacturer: Mazda

• Model tested: RX-8 40th Anniversary Edition

• Model year: 2008

• Base Price: $31,370

• Price as Tested: $32, 594

• Engine type: 1.3 liter rotary

• Horsepower: 232

• Torque: 159 lb-ft

• Redline: 9000 RPM

• Transmission: six-speed manual

• Curb Weight: 1.015 Ferrari Enzos (3,053 lb.)

• LxWxH: 174.3" x 69.7" x 52.8"

• Wheelbase: 106.4"

• Tires: 225/45 R18

• Drive type: RWD

• 0 - 60 mph: 6.6 seconds

• 1/4-mile: 15.1 seconds

• Top speed: N/A

• EPA Fuel economy city/highway: 16/22 MPG

• NHTSA crash test rating: N/A

Also see:

All of our reviews are always available by clicking the tag in the masthead.