Are Blizzaks really THAT Legendary?
#26
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I live near Chicago and our winters vary - especially the past few seasons. Any "cheap" recommendations for a season that has both "warm" and "cold" weathers as well as only a few times of snow?
Also, what is your tire sizes / rim sizes? I need whole new wheels for my winter set since it's a new car, so I was wondering if I should go down to 17" since it's "recommended" to go down a size from the OEM 18"?
Also, what is your tire sizes / rim sizes? I need whole new wheels for my winter set since it's a new car, so I was wondering if I should go down to 17" since it's "recommended" to go down a size from the OEM 18"?
I'm in the Chicago area too (DuPage County). I've never used a winter tire on the car in 8 yrs. I've used all-seasons year around, except when I go to the track. Of the few brands I've tried, Continental makes the best A/S tire for the snow.
I don't have to worry about that anymore, I now have a Jeep too.
#27
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I use my rx-8 quite a bit jumping from mountain to mountain skiing all winter and I use the Firestone WinterForce and I can't say enough good things about these winter tires they are truly amazing... Tommi Makinen's WRC Subaru used these exact tires to film an episode of Hot Versions Touge Showdown Special Back in the day on a snow covered touge.
As for the rx-8 what a great car in the winter, truly love this thing!
As for the rx-8 what a great car in the winter, truly love this thing!
#29
I use my rx-8 quite a bit jumping from mountain to mountain skiing all winter and I use the Firestone WinterForce and I can't say enough good things about these winter tires they are truly amazing... Tommi Makinen's WRC Subaru used these exact tires to film an episode of Hot Versions Touge Showdown Special Back in the day on a snow covered touge.
As for the rx-8 what a great car in the winter, truly love this thing!
As for the rx-8 what a great car in the winter, truly love this thing!
I typically think Firestone & Uniroyal tires SUCK, but Firestone seems to have nailed the Winterforce in terms of tread for snow eating purposes.
I agree with everything you said about the 8. I had a Mustang GT years ago that SUCKED in the snow no matter what snow tires were on it. The 8 is like a frickin' 4x4 compared to the Stang.
The X-Ice are supposed to be great for snow traction, too, but they're absolutely not 'sport' snow tires, with a Q speed rating and very soft sidewalls.
I like the Nokians and the nearly identical Hankook iPikes, because you get some decent handling (for winter tires) along with fantastic snow traction, in one package.
Last edited by RIWWP; 10-16-2012 at 01:46 PM. Reason: quoted pics removed
#30
I had Nokians on a VW and now have Hankook iPikes on the 8 in the winter.
The iPikes are every bit as good as the Nokians, IMO, and that's saying A LOT.
Some people get the Hankook Icebears (which SUCK) confused with the iPikes. The iPikes are infinitely BETTER and a totally different tread pattern and compound.
The iPikes are very popular with some semi-pro Subaru snow rally drivers.
#31
Voids warranties
Artic Claws are pretty cheap too. I put them on the wifes car with studs and they work great.
#32
@rotorocket: solid post bro! Nice pics. Good to know someone has conquered snow in the 8. this winter will be my first with the car. How did you get those steelies for your 8? Tire rack doesn't sell any for some reason...atleast not in an 18'. How much did they run you?
#33
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@rotorocket: solid post bro! Nice pics. Good to know someone has conquered snow in the 8. this winter will be my first with the car. How did you get those steelies for your 8? Tire rack doesn't sell any for some reason...atleast not in an 18'. How much did they run you?
If I wanted 18" they would have had to of been the Toyo observe GO-2 Plus walnut shell dealie and unstuddable. $1900 with rims installed out the door
I wanted to go the studded tire route; biggest studdable tire was in 17" format.
Here's how the price breaks down (keep in mind I live in an inflated oil town were a big mac meal with run you $14)
So $65 a rim...
#35
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#36
what about these:
Blizzak Snow Tires on 4 X 100 Miata Wheels
they are 15' wheels with blizzaks off a mazda miata. Would they fit the tread pattern of a 06 rx8 grand touring? My rim size is 18 so it would be a downgrade, but for winter, who cares?
Blizzak Snow Tires on 4 X 100 Miata Wheels
they are 15' wheels with blizzaks off a mazda miata. Would they fit the tread pattern of a 06 rx8 grand touring? My rim size is 18 so it would be a downgrade, but for winter, who cares?
#37
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what about these:
Blizzak Snow Tires on 4 X 100 Miata Wheels
they are 15' wheels with blizzaks off a mazda miata. Would they fit the tread pattern of a 06 rx8 grand touring? My rim size is 18 so it would be a downgrade, but for winter, who cares?
Blizzak Snow Tires on 4 X 100 Miata Wheels
they are 15' wheels with blizzaks off a mazda miata. Would they fit the tread pattern of a 06 rx8 grand touring? My rim size is 18 so it would be a downgrade, but for winter, who cares?
#38
Rockie Mountain Newbie
That's the tire size, not the rim size.
Rim sizes are a function of diameter, width, offset, and bolt pattern size.
An example would be 18x8, +35 offset, 5x112.5
The last one is the most important, because if that isn't the same, the wheel won't even mount onto the car.
BC.
Rim sizes are a function of diameter, width, offset, and bolt pattern size.
An example would be 18x8, +35 offset, 5x112.5
The last one is the most important, because if that isn't the same, the wheel won't even mount onto the car.
BC.
#39
Rockie Mountain Newbie
what about these:
Blizzak Snow Tires on 4 X 100 Miata Wheels
they are 15' wheels with blizzaks off a mazda miata. Would they fit the tread pattern of a 06 rx8 grand touring? My rim size is 18 so it would be a downgrade, but for winter, who cares?
Blizzak Snow Tires on 4 X 100 Miata Wheels
they are 15' wheels with blizzaks off a mazda miata. Would they fit the tread pattern of a 06 rx8 grand touring? My rim size is 18 so it would be a downgrade, but for winter, who cares?
A 4 bolt pattern can't fit a 5 lug car.
Second, you need the second part of that to match up too.
So a 5-100 wheel isn't going to fit onto a 5-114.3 car.
Lug pattern is the important factor here, not tread pattern.
BC
#40
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To be honest in this area I just pay a pro to pick out the correct dimensions ect for my according vehicle, there's nothing worst then poor fitment...
Tell em what kind of car you have, and let them do the dirty work of finding the right fit.
Tell em what kind of car you have, and let them do the dirty work of finding the right fit.
#41
Not going to fit your car, because the lug pattern is completely wrong.
A 4 bolt pattern can't fit a 5 lug car.
Second, you need the second part of that to match up too.
So a 5-100 wheel isn't going to fit onto a 5-114.3 car.
Lug pattern is the important factor here, not tread pattern.
BC
A 4 bolt pattern can't fit a 5 lug car.
Second, you need the second part of that to match up too.
So a 5-100 wheel isn't going to fit onto a 5-114.3 car.
Lug pattern is the important factor here, not tread pattern.
BC
This.
Dr. Vic and others, do yourselves a favor and bite the bullet and buy 17" dedicated wheels for the snow tires.
Mounting and remounting 18" snow tires and then summer tires on the 18" wheels is not only a pain in the *** (especially the summer low profile rubber), but the repeated mounting will do a number on the sidewalls and possibly ruin them.
With the 17" winter wheels and tires in one set, it's a 10 minute jobs to swap out summer to winter tires.
I went with 225/55/17 snow tires. Narrower and taller is better for snow traction anyways.
p.s. - Once every month or so, one of the big tire dealers does a decent snow tire deal at around $80 to $90 a pop. If you can then get a good deal on 17" wheels for maybe another $80 to $90 each, you're going to be spending around $750 to $800 for a mounted, balanced set of snow tires on winter wheels that will probably last you 3 or 4 years (depending on how much driving you do), and you'll still have the wheels when it comes time to buy new winter tires.
Last edited by RotoRocket; 10-17-2012 at 12:38 PM.
#42
Steel Wheels and Firestone Winterforce tires
NO PSTNS,
Where did you get those steel wheels ? I see you got them in Canada somewhere, is there some place on the internet that I may be able to get those steel wheels for winter driving stateside ? I really need a set exactly like that.
Thanks
Where did you get those steel wheels ? I see you got them in Canada somewhere, is there some place on the internet that I may be able to get those steel wheels for winter driving stateside ? I really need a set exactly like that.
Thanks
#43
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A place called OK TIRE, they are pretty big up here.
http://www.oktire.com/home/?gclid=CI...FcxcMgoddnMAFg
http://www.oktire.com/home/?gclid=CI...FcxcMgoddnMAFg
Last edited by NO_PSTNS; 10-25-2012 at 03:06 AM. Reason: add link
#44
Winter Steel Wheels and Tires
another couple questions for you. Thanks for responding to the last one.
1.) Does it say on the steel wheels what size they are, bolt pattern, etc. ? Did they custom fit ? drill holes ?
2.) Also, what size tire did you get ?
#45
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It's just a standard 5 bolt 17" steel rim, no drilling nothing they fit perfect. I put them on a 98 chevy malabu that I bought for the winter instead of my rx8 wile i do my clutch, ect over the winter.
Tires are Winterforce P225/50 R17 93S
Tires are Winterforce P225/50 R17 93S
#46
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It's just a standard 5 bolt 17" steel rim, no drilling nothing they fit perfect. I put them on a 98 Chevy malabu that I bought for the winter instead of my rx8 wile I do my clutch, ect over the winter.
And no there is no markings that I can see on the rim that say bolt pattern ect, sorry mazda brother.
Tires are Winterforce P225/50 R17 93S
And no there is no markings that I can see on the rim that say bolt pattern ect, sorry mazda brother.
Tires are Winterforce P225/50 R17 93S
#47
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These are the exact rims and tires that were on my rx8 last year and the fit is perfect for this 98 Chevy Malibu LS... so maybe that might help if they can’t find you ones for the rx8???
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