Hi,

I realize that the topic of winter tires has been discussed here repeatedly, but my question is different.

Could anyone point me to any independent reviews of the RX-8 during winter driving conditions (a.k.a. snow)? My concern is slipping and being stuck.

Many have posted about having excellent performance with snow tires on the RX-8, but car owners have a tendency of saying good stuff about their cars even when it is not completely true. I believe what I read on the forum, but unfortunately there is someone I need to convince who doesn't, hence the need for independent reviews.

 

I am curious too....Will be checking back on this topic.

Need to decide if I should pay 2500 for a used beat up truck to drive in winter (and haul stuff) or 1000+ for winter tires on the RX-8.

James

 

without snow tires it's a death trap. I can 100% confirm that from experience!!!

I haven't really seen any "independant" reviews from ppl other then rx8 owners. But be assured, ppl wouldn't say "ya it performs amazinly with snows in the winter" if it wasn't true.

How many threads have you found ppl saying it's a POS with snow's on? I haven't found any yet personally


MrJynx

 

I agree with MrJynx. Those of us that live in places that get snow have had no problems WITH SNOW TIRES. I've gone up to the mountains a bunch of times last winter and passed SUVs in the ditch.

You should also seriously consider the GT version that comes with DSC / TCS...these can be very helpful in snow.

One of the other great things about the RX-8 is how little low-end power/torque it has. This makes it much easier to start driving if you stop on a hill in the snow, so you won't just spin the tires. Try doing that in a GTO or something like that

 

I attempted once to take my 8 out in the snow with my summer tires . I could not get out of the driveway....I suggest buy a crappy winter vehicule with all the rock chips in the winter you would be heart broken to see you 8 full of them.

 

Well when winter is 7 months of the year like in Calgary, I'd rather not be 8-less for that long. Plus, a new paint job every 5 years isn't really the end of the world. Probably ends up costing less than the beater you buy plus all the maintenance it'll require.

 

I cannot imagine driving my Tetanus Mobile AKA rusty 4 Runner all winter long - Therefore winter tires for The 8 so I can have some fun in winter and 4 Runner when the CITY of ST ALBERT does not clear the streets well enough:D

 

I don't own an RX-8, but I've driven Maurice's several times. It's not bad in light snow/ice. It helps to have the DSC/traction control, but the 50/50 weight distribution is what makes it work so well in snow. I'm comparing it to my 2001 Pathfinder with "automatic" 4WD. It's not as good as the Pathfinder, in that you can break the rear wheels loose much easier, but it's much easier to control because it's much lighter! The DSC/Traction control does rein you in very quickly as well if you get to rambunctios.

Get 3M vinyl protection installed to deal with the rock chips. Ming does it and guarantees their work. Get winter wheels and tires (we like Nokian WR tires and had them mounted on AR aluminum wheels). BTW, I was so impressed with the Nokian WRs I had them put on my Pathfinder and they also made a night and day difference compared to the lousy stock tires the vehicle came with. Check them out at Kal tire.

 

Unless you're an idiot that can't drive a rear wheel drive car the RX8 equipped with winter tires is a competent car in winter conditions.

Rontec, I take a bit of issue with your post. Do you really think people are so car crazy about the RX8 that they would lie to you about how it works in the winter?
There are many accurate threads on this forum that describe the winter driving characteristics of this car...if you choose to not believe them; then why the hell are you on this forum in the first place? Frankly I take your post as an insult to the people that populate this forum.

 

Read first, flame later.

 

The only problem I have had is the limited ground clearance. The car handles great up till it drags the belly on the ground. If it snows a lot...leave it at home...It's not worth the grief of some (insert derogatory driver comment here:D ) running into you.........

 

I stand by my flame

 

The only good thing about winter is driving the RX-8 in it. As I've said many times on this topic, this is the best car I've driven in the snow hands down.

 

You can totally tell this guy is trying to convince his wife/girlfriend that it's a safe car to drive in the winter if he just gets some tires. Cut him some slack.

 

Somewhere on this site, someone has posted a link to a video of themselves and a friend driving a few miles up a snow-covered mountain. They were going along at a nice clip, roads were totally white, and they seemed to be having no trouble at all. I think there's also a vid of someone trying to drive in light powder with the summer tires to demonstrate how bad they are. :D Pretty funny watching the Traction Control light come on every two seconds.

 

My Traction control light comes on frequently in summer....:D Do i need winter tires allready then?? hehehehe

 

I agree with previous posters. The only time I had trouble with my 8 last winter (with snow tires on) was when I parked it and then we got a freak 18" of snow. The issue was ground clearance getting it out of the driveway. In less than 4-5" inches of snow, it performed like a champ. Not to say 4WD with snow tires wouldn't be better, but I regularly passed 4WD SUV's with all-season tires having problems.

Snow tires make all the difference. Its kind of funny, because they don't look all the different from regular tires, so you can't imagine how big the difference is. Before my 8, I had a Miata that I drove with snow tires as well, and it was also pretty good in snow. The 8, with its ABS and TCS/DSC, is really quite outstanding for a RWD car in the snow.