DEMAND for the revolutionary Mazda RX-8 is huge with fast and furious bidding among franchised dealers for Mazda Motors UK ex-management models. Almost 6,500 new Mazda RX-8s have been sold this year making the car the second biggest selling model in the Mazda line-up after the Mazda6.

Prices paid by dealers for nearly-new Mazda RX-8s underline the popularity of the model among late-plate, low-mileage car buyers and further underline the vehicle's strong residual value forecasts at three years/60,000 miles of close to 50%.

Four Mazda RX-8 53-plate models featured in the manufacturer's latest online auction open to all franchised dealers recently. All the new models achieved more than their reserve price and around 90% of list price new. Two examples of the 'standard power' Mazda RX-8 sports coupe pumping out 192ps were auctioned and two 'high power' derivatives producing 231ps.

The two 192ps models each sold for £20,302. One vehicle with 12,106 miles on the clock, with a list price of £22,815 and a reserve of £19,00 sold for 106.9% of the reserve price and 89% of the list price. Meanwhile, the second car with 9,826 miles on the clock, a list price of £22,515 and a reserve of £19,250 achieved 105.5% of its reserve with 90.2% of list.