You’re right about the Mazda RX-8: its rotary engine is a major fuel hog. Do they sell the Mazda3 in the UK? It’s got a kicky engine and chassis and the hatchback body style is HUGE inside.
It frightens me to think what fuel costs on your side of the pond. I’m hoping clean-burning diesels are more mainstream by the time we need to replace our current set of wheels.