Amtron

Hey guys,

I'm interested in buying a 2004 RX-8 GT...I was just wondering who here drives theirs in the winter, and how it holds up for them? The one I'm looking at has traction control, should that make a difference?

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Footman

iTrader: (2)

I drive mine in the winter. It holds up fine. Traction control is useful. In deep snow, might need to switch off to get the car moving.

Winter tires are MANDATORY for this car for your safety.

Amtron

Do you think you get more or less snow than I would in Ottawa?

Rems31

I find it doesn't really matter how much snow you get. What matters if the road is clear. If the roads are plowed, then the 8 is fine in the winter. The 8 is pretty low so it's all about if it can clear the amount of snow on the road. Last year we got a lot of snow but I only got stuck once (unplowed road). Had to turn off DSC (as Footman stated) and rocked the car back and forth.

PaQuiN

Lol...less for me in Toronto. Ottawa gets more snow than 90% of Canada. Although, the roads are in good enough shape that you could drive your RX8. Winter tires are a must as Footman said. If you get a GT they all have DCS traction control. Like Footman said you have to turn it off in deep snow. I threw a 50 pounds bag of sand in the back along with 2 10" subs and the box and it handles pretty damn good. I find myself flying by SUV's and Van's on the 401. The only issue I see in the winter is if you get the optional skirt kit. This would plow snow like nobody's business, please avoid putting a body kit on if you want to drive in the winter, especially in Ottawa. Or, don't drive when there is deep snow on the road. I have spoken with RX8 owners in Sudbury who drive in the winter. They can take their car out 95% of the time but not in bad storms, I would assume you have similar weather. I used to live in Sudbury. I advise people not to buy RX8's in Sudbury only because of how bad the roads are, potholes EVERYWHERE.

Amtron

Good point.

If the car is fine when there roads are average and not a snow storm I guess it will be fine. I mean, drive almost any car in a snow storm and you will have issues with it. My dad has an Infiniti G37, which is the same, if not lower to the ground as an RX-8...and he says it's not THAT bad, but he doesn't find it the greatest. I'm a pretty good driver, I know when to not drive like a moron, and I guess if I can keep that up I should be fine.

eug

iTrader: (2)

Welcome to the forum.

The RX-8 does fine as a daily winter driver. You must have dedicated snow tires. Turning off TC until you hit cruising speeds helps immensely in city traffic. You don't need to add weight to the trunk. You'll never get stuck if you're a good winter driver.

Take the time to clean the car regularily to get the salt off; Ottawa uses more salt than sand. The city is good about clearing after storms, but you'll be plowing the streets with your front end pretty often regardless, so it's your call about a bodykit.

Oil consumption and mileage deteriorate slightly during the winter months, nothing concerning just be prepared for it. A block heater isn't necessary either.

Oh, and search the forums There are plenty of threads that have already addressed your question, and a lot of other information you should know before buying an idiosyncratic car such as our beloved 8 (and I mean it in an endearing way). Have fun.

Thumper3322

You will be fine! Gotta get good snows and I personally love the DCS. I have the Aero package with the MS side skirts and yes I hear rubbing from time to time in the snow, but whatcha gonna do.

Enjoy! I would wait and get it near the end of the season tho. Enjoy it in the summer first, before you put it thru crap in the winter.

Footman

iTrader: (2)

I have the OEM skirt package and I survived last winter. QTWRE has the MS front, he drives it all season. He also has coilovers and is lowered 1" and he drives it like that in the winter.

I will be lowering the car also in spring 2009, so I hope 2009/2010's winter isn't that bad.

PaQuiN

Long story short. An RX8 is just as good in the snow as any other RWD car, if not better. Go for it man, love driving this car rain, snow, sleet, hail, or sun...

heyarnold69

iTrader: (1)

mine is really low ... 3 in of clearance max... no issues

Black Hatch

As already mentioned winter tires are a must.
Just did a trip to Red Deer and back from Edmonton, no problems driving.
(A little less than half a tank one way for those calculating mileage)

The low clearance is somewhat of a problem... I have to make sure my alleyway entrance is clear of some snow so I can drive my RX-8 in.
Plus the seat warmers are great.

Start in 2nd gear and slowly release clutch to avoid slippage. TCS/DSC is helpful.
Also remember to rev engine lots. Don't shut down engine when its less than 1/4 temperature.

Spinat9

I'm considering picking up a 2004 GT this coming week. I live in Hamilton area, has anyone had any problems this year yet with subzero starts? I understand a strong battery is a must for the 8?

Rotary Mike

This here is the biggest thing to remember about winter driving and the RX-8. No matter how slippery the roads are, with the right tire and DCS you'll be fine.

However, when there is deep snow, the RX-8 can 'beach' itself ecspecially in the rear end (the suspension pieces that angle up from the rear tires like to drag in the snow).

I drove home during the December 23rd snow storm on our lovely unplowed 400 series highways. The ruts the Big Rig's were making in the snow were too deep for my RX-8. DCS saved my car (life?) the whole way home

Thumper3322

As it has mine more than a few times!

Spinat9

I just picked up my 8 last week. Came with some Falken ZE 912's. I thought DSC alone would make the car drivable. I had to park it until I got some snows. What a drastic difference. The 8 is perfectly capable in Canadian winters with the right rubber.

Daemos

i drive the 8 all year round with good winter tires and 17" rims. works fine, get some sort of heater for the engine or the oil pan, plug er in, it'll start fine even in -45C weather (although it'll sound rough for a little bit) let it warm up for 5 min, and you're good to go =)

DSC is awesome, but sometimes when you're in a residential area that hasn't been plowed, it prevents the tires from spinning at all, so moving from a start is slow. Just turn it off for the start, you'll get moving faster, once you're moving turn it back on =)

cjcjag

My two cents worth based on this winter with my 09 R3 is that the car is certainly liveable as a daily driver in winter, but RWD is certainly not as good as FWD in deep snow. I got brand new snow tires and they have been adequate... but I now regret not getting Nokian Hakka snow tires which I loved for the past 8 winters on my previous rear wheel drive.

My country driveway with a slight uphill grade and a few bends is the measuring stick for me. There have been three times this winter when my wife (Volvo V70) and my daughter (Mazda3) were able to get all the way into the garage without any drama in fresh snow, but I got stuck and couldn't get in until I had the snowblower out and cleared the drive.

Turning the tracking control off in when starting off in fresh/deep snow or driving slowly in snow is essential, otherwise the computer will fight you and can keep you from getting power to the wheels. Once I get up to speed, I turn the electronics back on just in case.

TheWulf

iTrader: (4)

First: Welcome! Nothing drives like an 8... you cannot regret this purchase if you love to drive!

Second: Once you buy it, join us at http://www.ottawamazda.ca -- we have about a half-dozen 8s floating around.

TheWulf

iTrader: (4)

I advise people not to live in Sudbury period

Lighting_GT

iTrader: (1)

Heyyy! lol... ok you have a good point...

TheWulf

iTrader: (4)

There's a reason I joined this group on Facebook...

Lighting_GT

iTrader: (1)

haha good call... On the Pothole situation... I only bent one rim so far not too bad lol luckily it was a winter rim, and not too bad that i could hammer it back. God Bless Sudbury roads.

To post on topic, I would never turn anyone away from buying an Rx8 unless you do not plan on taking care of it and keeping up on the maintenance. I drive mine in the winter and love it, but i understand and can afford the TLC that she needs. They are a relatively expensive car to maintain properly so if you cheap out, odds are you will be disappointed. Correct me if I'm wrong anyone...

As said, a good set of winter tires is mandatory! If you can handle being a snow plow every time it snows, letting the car warm up before driving it and washing it often to keep the salt off, I'm sure you will love it too.

and do not get an auto!