The 2009 Mazda RX-8 comes in four trim levels. All are powered by the 1.3-liter twin-rotor rotary engine.
Sport ($26,435) comes with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission, both for the same price. Standard equipment includes cloth upholstery; air conditioning; AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers and steering-wheel mounted controls; cruise control; power windows, mirrors and locks; leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel and shift knob; floor and overhead consoles; rear window defogger; variable-speed intermittent windshield wipers; alarm with immobilizer; and 225/45R18 tires on alloy wheels. Manual-shift models also get aluminum/rubber pedals, torque-sensing limited-slip differential and a rear lip spoiler.
Options include a 6CD in-dash changer ($500), Sirius radio ($430), spare tire kit ($395), rear wing spoiler ($360), plus mats, cargo nets and other accessories.
Touring comes with manual ($27,860) or automatic transmission ($28,560). The Touring adds Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with traction control; Xenon headlamps; fog lights; auto-dimming inside rearview mirror with HomeLink; and an MP3/six-disc in-dash sound system. Additionally, Touring automatics get the limited-slip differential. Touring options include those above plus a Premium package ($1355) that includes the Bose Centerpoint sound system, Sirius, moonroof.
Grand Touring ($31,000) comes with manual or automatic ($31,700). The GT adds leather seating with matching synthetic leather door panels, heated front seats and outside mirrors, eight-way power and three-position memory for the driver's seat, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, Bluetooth, Bose surround sound system, and Mazda's advanced keyless entry and start system. Options include navigation ($2000) and Premium package ($900) with moonroof and Sirius.
R3 ($31,930) is trimmed like a Touring but adds upgraded suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers, forged aluminum 19-inch wheels and 225/40R19 Bridgestone RE050A performance tires, rear wing spoiler, side sills, unique front styling, Bose audio system, leather-wrapped handbrake, keyless entry/start, and leather-edged Recaro sport seats.
Safety features that come standard include frontal and side-impact airbags (for torso protection) for the front passengers, and curtain airbags (for head protection) front and rear. A tire pressure monitor is also standard on all models. Anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution comes standard; DSC stability control is optional on Sport, standard on all others.