2004 Mazda RX-8

The all-new Mazda RX-8 is one of the most ingenious cars to be designed in years. Its small (but powerful) rotary engine allows the unique configuration of four doors and four seats. The wheelbase and overall length are shorter than a sports coupe yet there is more legroom in the rear, and the weight distribution is a perfect 50-50 for balanced handling. Mazda says its Miata has recently become the best-selling sports car of all time. It hopes to build on that success with the groundbreaking RX-8. It's intended to be a car for a new generation, while also satisfying the legion of existing Mazda rotary fans, who have been left wanting ever since Mazda stopped importing the RX-7 into the U.S. in 1995 after selling more than 500,000 of them between 1979 and 1995. When you consider that the excellent RX-7 cost about $40,000 in 1995, the technologically superior new RX-8 looks like a steal as the sporty six-speed manual retails for $26,680.