I'm looking at a 2004 RX-8 but I am having a tough time making my decision. My only drawback is that the RX-8 is a RWD. I live in central Illinois so we do get some snow and I would have to drive my 8 year round. I currently drive and 04 Jeep Wrangler which does excellent in all weather, I just love the looks of this 8 and it come with way more luxuries than my jeep. Any suggestions?

 

I'm in the Chicago suburbs. I have always driven mine year around. Decatur doesn't get as much snow as we do. Tires are the key. You need at least all-season tires and many will tell you to change over to snow tires in the winter.

 

Just tackled my first winter storm with the 8 up here in NE. The 8 handles like butter if you have proper (winter) tires that are recommended for your area. It is actually quite surprising to say the least how well it handles in snow with some good tires.

 

Thank you, this makes my decision much easier!

 

just get an extra set of wheels, you can usually get them pretty cheap in the FS section. Have a set of summer tires and a set a winter tires and you are set.

 

^^What he said except, you should get snow tires for sure. Al is nuts. All Season tires will get you buy, but it will be a wild ride at times and you better be paying attention....or driving really slow.

 

What brand/model of snow tires have you found to work best? The 8 im getting is the touring package.

 

Just about any snow tires will be better than All Seasons. I have had the Blizziak (Bridgestone) and Wintersport M3 (Dunlop) and they were both great.

 

As far as I know, All season tires do not exist, and I have not found on any of the tires or websites here in EU that they have those tires. The common mistake which people make is about that type of tires, they see M+S and think that's all season, when it actually means mud + snow.

Anyway, it is a good recommendation that you have a set of summer, and winter tires on all 4 wheels, . That winter tires can last you very long because you will only use them on winter seasons. Don't worry about winter and rwd, that stories are the past. Tonight I was driving my fwd Escort, winter tires on all wheels, and I was going about 80 km/h when the new BMW 3 series just passed me by before a curve, I thought it would just turn him out, but no way, he was going like hell.

Good winter tyres and a sense for the road, and you'l have no problems at all

 

i drove through a big storm in chicago and then on the blue ridge parkway for about 25 to 30 miles on ultra high performance summer tires in the snow... it was a little slippery, but i didnt have any problems really... stopping is the biggest thing... but under power, the back end is pretty stable surprisingly... just know your car, know how it handles, and know how to correct slides... you will be ok