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• Acceptable boot size
• Plenty of storage spaces inside
• Not the easiest car to live with day to day

The boot is quite useful with 290-litres of space (about the same as a contemporary Vauxhall Corsa), and will happily hold a weekend’s worth of luggage. The unusual rear-hinged back doors make access to the back somewhat easier. Some passengers may get confused by the trailing seatbelt for the front seats, but they slide out of the way easily for access. For child seats access is good for this type of car.

The glovebox is big, there are small door pockets for the front seats, and the centre ‘spine’ includes storage pockets and dual cup holders front and rear.

It is not a practical car to live with compared to modern drive-and-forget models, though. You’ll also have to monitor oil consumption (checking every second time you fill up with fuel is recommended) and ensure it’s topped up with the right mineral or semi-synthetic oil. A handy box between the rear seats can hold a litre bottle, some gloves, funnels and wipes. There’s no spare wheel, and the optional space-saver uses a lot of boot space; get a flat tyre with a full boot and you’ll be choosing between leaving shopping or your wheel behind.

The R3 model features an easier to access oil dipstick, which is now on the top of the engine with a panel. Earlier cars need the engine cover lifting off for full access.

Mazda RX-8 safety

• No Euro NCAP results
• Two Isofix points in the back
• Generally safe handling, strong bodyshell

The RX-8 doesn’t have a Euro NCAP crash safety rating but it comes with plenty of standard safety kit, including six airbags, traction control and stability control. If you’re curious about the crash performance of the RX-8’s unusual doors, it was tested in America. On the security front there’s an alarm, immobiliser and central locking.