Although the 2005 Mazda RX-8 Shinka Special Edition came with the same rotary engine and manual transmission as a standard RX-8, its exclusive black cherry finish and modified suspension set it apart.

Inspired by the Mazda RX-01, a Mazda concept car that debuted at the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show, the RX-8 featured prominent wheel arches, backward-hinged doors, and a distinctive rear spoiler. Despite its sleek and stylish exterior, the car had a reputation for being somewhat unreliable, with poor fuel economy and frequent mechanical problems. But for drivers who appreciate the RX-8’s rotary engine in spite of its quirks, the car offers smooth handling and a fun ride.

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What is the 2005 Mazda RX-8 Shinka Special Edition?

Getting its name from the Japanese word for “evolution”, the Shinka Special Edition was marketed as the luxury version of the standard

RX-8

. A starting cost of $31,700 got drivers some standout features such as an exclusive black cherry finish, parchment (tan) leather upholstery, modified shocks, and a urethane-foam injected suspension. Only 2,150 of the RX-8 Shinka Special Edition were ever produced.

MORE: The coolest Mazda concept cars

2005 Mazda RX-8 overview

Before we get into the Shinka Special Edition’s specs, here’s a brief overview of the 2005 Mazda RX-8.

Like all of its predecessors in Mazda’s RX lineup, the 2005 RX-8 was fitted with a Wankel

rotary engine

. While this type of engine is smaller than a cylinder-based engine and has less moving parts, the end result was higher-than-average oil consumption, poor emissions, and pricey repair costs. This led to the RX-8 being criticized for its high cost of ownership—especially for drivers who were unfamiliar with the ins and outs of rotary engines.

Despite similarly-priced competitors like the

Pontiac Grand Prix

earning better reliability ratings, the RX-8 had—

and still has

—a devoted fan base that enjoys the punchy power of the Mazda rotary.

The standard RX-8 was only available as

rear-wheel drive

, but it could be equipped with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic. Its 238-

horsepower

1.3-liter twin rotary engine could take the coupe from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.4 seconds—that’s pretty speedy, even by today’s standards. Less impressive however, was the car’s gas mileage. At just 18 mpg, RX-8 owners should expect a lot of trips to the fuel pump.

Additional features included the backward-hinged “suicide” doors, plush bucket seats in the front, generous leg room in the back, a center console with storage, and a 9-speaker 300-watt stereo with a 6-disc CD changer.

MORE:

Is Mazda a luxury car?

What’s special about the Shinka Special Edition?

Although the 2005 Shinka Special Edition retained most of the features that came standard on a RX-8, it did come in an exclusive black cherry finish that was complemented by parchment-colored (tan) leather upholstery, giving the car its luxe look.

In addition to cosmetic upgrades, the 2005 Mazda RX-8 Shinka Special Edition offered an enhanced suspension with a foam-urethane filled front cross member and specially-tuned shocks that improved stability and allowed drivers to take turns tighter and faster than they could in a standard RX-8. It was available with either the 6-speed manual transmission or the 4-speed automatic.

If you’re looking to buy a Mazda RX-8 Shinka Special Edition in 2022, Kelley Blue Book gives it a fair market value of $4,002 to $6,603 with a typical listing price of $5,662—making it a very affordable option for drivers who are willing to put up with its unconventional engine.

MORE:

All about the 2002 Mazda Miata Special Edition

2005 Mazda RX-8 Shinka Special Edition vs. RX-8

A standard Mazda RX-8 has an average cost of $5,330 on the used car market, which means that the difference in price between a Shinka Special Edition and an RX-8 is nominal. If you’re not sure which version of the RX-8 is right for you, your final decision may simply come down to whether or not you can find a Shinka in your area. Remember, only 2,150 of the Special Edition RX-8 were ever made.

But if you’re lucky enough to have both versions of the car available to you, the Shinka will usually be the better value because of its improved suspension system and shocks.

MORE:

How to build a custom Mazda RX-8

How to find the best 2005 Mazda RX-8 Shinka Special Edition insurance

Buying a used car is hard work! Not only does it take time to figure out which car you want, you’ll have to research special editions and trims, source the car, and in most cases, haggle over price. After all that, looking for a low

Mazda insurance cost

sounds exhausting! But with a little help from

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And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.