ive been looking into getting an rx-8 and i really want to thuroughly research this car. it seems that when i went to the general discussion about the 8, there was a lotta different answers about what i was asking, especially since some of them were like specifically about the chicago area. anyways, the biggest question i had was how the car handles during the winter season. cmon lets face it, as much as i love living in this city, it has to have some of the most unpredictable weather ever imaginable. can anyone comment on how the car drives particularly in our area? also, is the gas mileage really that bad?? the southside where i live is a bit more open than other parts of chicago, but i also do drive out to the city quite a bit too. any help would be awesome thanks a lot

 

In your other thread, you asked the question wrong and it looked like you were a troll. If you had been active and keep asking questions based on others answers, the other Mod wouldn't have closed the thread.

Now to answer your question. All most everyone here lives in the suburbs. I live in DuPage county. I drive the car year around with all-season tires and I can get around in the snow. Some people put snow tires on their car in the winter. They, of course, can turn better and accelerate with less wheel spin than I can. I expect that I won't have a problem unless we get a storm like we had in 1980 then no one got around no matter what tires they had on their car.
I don't use any extra weight in the trunk, but you could add 100-200 pounds to aid with traction. This would upset the balance of the car and ruin the crisp steering response when it is dry out there.
The only problem, you may have with a RX8, is it's low ride height. You have to make sure that you don't try to go through snow thats too deep and turn the car into a snow plow. But, thats a problem with any true sports car.

 

Answered you in the main but let me elaborate. People who own a dedicated set of Snow tires do very well in the snow. Your limitations as pointed out will be ride height. I myself didn't want a 2nd set of tires laying around and the hassle of changing them so I went with the Avon Ultra performance all seasons. When I bought the car part of the deal was that the dealer would remount tires I would provide for them. I took the original tires and sold them here, so the tire swap was a wash.

How do they handle the snow, OK. They are not great but the way Chicago plows they get me around. I am very happy with wet and dry performance. The next set I plan to buy are Continental Extreme Contact, much better then the Avons in the snow. Consumer report rated them almost as good as a dedicated snow tire and as good in the dry as the Avons.

This car is my daily driver and the only time I ever got stuck over the last 2 years was in Michigan, snow on ice going up a hill. A side benefit of the way I did this was I went to a 245/40/18 tire, adds about .6 inch in width, look very good. They also extend over the rim a bit which help protects the wheels.

Gas mileage is the killer I drive from Lincolnwood to Norridge, lots of lights and my MPG is abysmal. I average about 12 MPG, had it in to Mazda twice for help and they just say it is the nature of the car every thing is fine. They hate gas mileage issues so don't look for any help from Mazda. I know other in the further in the burbs who get around 15MPG. So plan for the worst and be happy if you get better. I figured I'd be getting 15MPG after all I read so 12 was a bit of a shock.

 

I'm on my 5th winter now with the RX8, and absolutely love it as a winter car. I'm one of those that bought a dedicated set of snow tires and swap with the OEM's twice a year, mainly because there weren't many options in that size when the car came out in 2003. In the past 4 years seems like there has been a lot of advances in all-season performance tires that will probably work fine considering how well Chicago responds to snow with the salt and plow trucks... so I'm leaning towards getting the Conti's this spring and leaving them on all year.

As for fuel economy, I'm way out in the NW burbs and commute to Schaumburg for work, which for me is almost no highway miles, and a lot of stop and go during rush hour... and after ~39,000 miles and 181 tanks of gas, I'm averaging 15.5mpg (and I drive it like I stole it most of the time). Not great, but I knew what I was getting into with a rotary, and it's totally worth it.

 

I'm also one of those who bought a dedicated set of snow wheels/tires. I have the Dunlop M3 Sports and really love 'em. I change out on the weekend after Thanksgiving whether it has snowed or not. Never had a problem since I got the snows. I think she handles great in the snow (and donuts in an empty parking lot with the DCS off is hella fun!)

My gas mileage (40K miles) hovers around 18-20mpg no matter where I'm driving. I used to get 200 miles per tank religiously but got an increase solely by changing to the K&N drop in filter. Now I get 240-250 per tank.

I'm a member of the flooded club (search and you will find there are many of us). Was able to deflood myself twice, then the third time needed a flatbed to the dealership. Since I've had the upgraded TSB starter done I haven't had any problems (knock on wood). I have a 2004 with an 06/03 build date, so I'm one of the earliest cars made.

Still love her and always wish I had more time to take care of her properly. She shines like no ones bidness after a great wash and "wax."

Sending you an invite to join the Chicago group (EVOLV-Chicago). We've got a handful of members who are interested in the car, but haven't bought one yet. It's a great way to get real info from Chicago peeps.

 

I also have dedicated winter tires and agree with the others. As long as you pay attention when you are driving in the snow (good idea in general anyway) you should be fine. You need to keep in mind that you are driving a front engine rear drive car. Blizziak LM-25's on mine, seem to keep the car pointed in the right direction (unless I try to do something stupid/fun).

As for gas millage.....agree with the other members (15-18mpg here, a little over 21 on the trip from VA). I didn't research the car at all before I got one, and that was the one unpleasant thing about it. The lack of research was entirely my own fault, but all in all the car is a blast and worth every penny. Come to a meet and you will have the chance to see a few different 8's. Good luck with the decision.

 

Alright sooo ive been pretty well convinced about the whole both questions. so has anyone had theres break down a lot?? im just wondering cuz i havent noticed too many on the street now that i pay attention to trying to get excited about seeing one and i havent come across one for a while.

 

Mine had a period of time where she was in the dealership A LOT ... Good thing she was still under warranty

 

A couple of small things all covered under warranty. The reason you don't see many is there are not that many to see. The car is still relatively uncommon which I find rather nice.

PS Good time to Buy if your willing to take an 07 model and seeing that there is no difference between 07 and 08..... When I bought mine I picked up a 05 in Jan of 06. Got a GT with out Nav. for $26,500 out the door tax and all, several thousand off list . I was pretty happy with deal.

 

I found out they dont plow where I park... so it is impossible to drive the RX anytime it snows.
I put it in a garage in Ohio with the bikes and am actually thinking of selling it just because I just moved here to chicago and cant find room to put everything. I cant wait for the winter to break so i can get it back on the road, but at the same time that still leaves me with another car 2 states away with the other toys... I wish I lived in the burbs so I could park it where the city plows, and/or get a garage

 

i have dry weather tires one cause im lazy and 2 cause i cant afford snow tires yet. but the car likes to kick out on me if i let my rpm's go above 3.5k but stops great. i haven't had any ride hight issues yet but im sure if i had weight in the back or better tires this would solve my problems. so just don't be cheap or lazy and you will be fine.
ow and i avg about 20 mpg and thats romping on it alot i find if i take it easy i get worse mileage go fig

 

yea well it just always seemed that this car has a pretty bad rep. like it just seems really unusual for some people to not have problems with their car at all and for others to always be having problems with it. and also quite a few people on this forum have mentioned about going to the dealership several times about getting repairs. it seemed to me like it was more often than most other cars really should go.

 

I could be wrong, but it seems like more of the 04's had issues than the later year models - some of the issues that Mazda took care of with TSB's on the 04's were corrected for later years...at least that the way it has seemed to me...

Mine? 55K, 2005, no big issues.

 

I am in the nw suburbs and I have blizzak lm-25's that work great for the winter. gas mileage for the summer was 16-17mpg (I got about 220 per tank) winter my mileage has dropped to about 170-180 per tank.

 

I would say that my car has been very reliable, but then I'd jinx myself. So I won't say that. Of course I've only got about 18.5 K miles on mine.

I'm using Pirelli ultra high performance all-seasons with additional siping. They've worked pretty well, and I upped the size like Raptor and Al did. Gives the car a little bit more aggresive look.

I would be careful about putting weight in the trunk for traction. The car is already 50/50 weight balanced. I've never had trouble getting stuck with the rear wheels. When there has been several inches of snow on the road, I have had a bit of trouble with the front end plowing. But that was mostly my first time driving in the snow with it, until I got used to how it wanted to be driven.

I should also say that I've driven RWD in the snow quite a bit over the years. If you've driven mostly FWD, it definitely takes a different driving style.

 

hmmm okay sooo how much for a full tank right now?? and from what ive heard its been suggested to use premium gas in the car too. yea i know im just full of questions . . .

 

Just depends on your mileage. I'm getting around 15 mpg around town right now. I get a bit better than that when it is warmer out, but not a whole lot. Maybe 16 or 17 if I'm lucky. When it gets down to 1/4 tank you are looking at between 10 and 11 gallons, at least on my gas gauge.

 

well i kinda meant how much everyone pays for a full tank

 

something like $40-45. Thats if you fill at about 1/4 left or a little under.

 

I drive a whole lot and its not like they are THAT much worse than other cars. Im averaging 18mpg with my sable and i was about 15 with the RX in the city traffic. As long as you are not rev'ing them to the moon while you sit in traffic, or redline light to light

 

It's a 12-13 gallon tank (I think), so filling up all depends on the price of gas at that moment. I'd say a gagillion dollars every couple days kinda sums it up

 

the tank is 15.9 gal. But a fill up from the "e" light will be in the 12-13 gal range. When that "e" light comes on you have 3+ gal left. I found this out on a long strip of highway with no exits. The light came on two mi after I passed a sign that read "no gas for 50 mi". I can tell you that I was sweating running out of gas big time. I actually got 295 miles out of that tank by the time I made it to the next rest stop. I guess I am lucky that the light comes on so early on this car. I would guess that they set the "e" light at 3+ gal because of the low gas mileage.

 

ok so ive read this hole thing and i gota say the car planly sucks in the winter now it takes forever to warm up,the gears are very stiff when she wakes up,and i live in the city elmwood park where when it snows it takes me 15 mins to go a block from my home. the car is not a real winter car if u plan to buy this car plan on buying a beater for the winter

now gas is another thing ive had supras,gsx's,mustangs,ext... so ive had to deal with bad gas for pretty much along time the 8 is nice compared to other cars ive owned its not the best on gas but it is definitly beter then most of the cars in its class for instance i have a friend with the dreded s2k an let me tell u that gas tank sucks! an u know the worst part stock we beat modifed s2k's modifed we 8s rape s2ks crossfires civics rsx the car is awsome i highly highly recomend it !!!

p.s. the car in an empty parking lot say myers on arlington hiegts road is so much fun. it realy takes the stress outa my week any time u wana have some fun hit me up!


S.O.L.O!

 

lol
"I can tell you that I was sweating running out of gas big time."

 

Snow tires (Pirellis 220's) are excellent. The DSC and TC can save you from looking like an a-hole on many occasions. I get 16mpg in the cold and 20+ in the summer. Mine was an 04 and like RSD had a period of always being in the shop (I recommend Wilkins in Villa Park).