8thRider

Do you guys find it difficult for the 8 to climb up hills?
I understand that its a RWD car...but do you guys find it hard?

poolsidenaz

Not for me. She loves to carve up the twisties in 2nd gear if they're tight, 3rd if we've got more room for speed

What kind of hill are you talking, what speed, and what gear are you in?

khtm

Absolutely not. I guess you don't own an 8?

valpac

iTrader: (2)

yeah, it's terrible. Have to Fred flinstone it to get up.

doccable

I've had absolutely no problems in the mountains around here, (Northern Colorado/Southern Wyoming). It used to be that at some of the higher elevations, non-fuel injected cars would starve for air higher up. But I've had my 8 as high as 12,000+feet, with no problems at all. Currently my 8 and I reside at 7200'. Even steep grades haven't been a problem, as much as 7 or 8%, this car just wants to accelerate and accelerate. :D

Old Rotor

Going threw the twisties all over the red line is the most fun you can have!!!

SilverEIGHT

ZoomZoomZoom... that is what I enjoy the most about this car. It's awesome. I keep it from 6K to 9K+ and it screams. Pleanty of beeps. The RX8 loves to hit the apex and launch out. LEAVE THE DSC ON! PLEASE!

Here's a video running up the mountain and a short run on the down side till I got scared!

http://www.silvereightstudio.com/movies/RBRusselHwy.wmv

MazdaRich

Why would it be difficult to climb mountains in a RWD car? It's the perfect platform for virtually any twisty road.

HP at altitude is precisely the reason I'm about to take the plunge on an 8. My Miata really wheezes at altitude. It can accelerate, but you've got to be up around 6000 rpm or higher.

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

Its a RWD car and should be easier to go up hills.

Our cars need to be at the high rpms to make it easier. I'm usually at about 3k going up the hill, so of course it would be slow, and it doesn't seem to want to go faster unless I floor or downshift... im just trying to save a lil gas. LOL

8thRider

I am still fishing around, seeing which vehicle i should buy...
and 8 is one of my top choices because of its sexy looks^^
but ...since its a RWD car...im just curious

SilverEIGHT

Be curious... that's great! Test drive all the cars you like then make a decision. No matter what you get, you MUST be sure you are making the right choice. I drove many cars before I settled on the 8. It was hands down the best choice... for me.

Fishing is fine... but no trolling! :D

Frostee

great video! love the sound of the engine in it

Nubo

RWD car can get squirrelly going uphill in slippery conditions if you don't respect the throttle; is that what you're wondering about? Keep in mind the RX-8 stock tires simply don't work in snow, even in the flats.

m477

When your going uphill, most of the weight is on the rear wheels, so RWD seems like a pretty effective way to climb hills.

rotten42

never a problem...why would there be a problem? Not sure where you are going with this.

BlueFrenzy

I don't think I've ever had a problem uphill ... even in slippery icy conditions (with snow tires of course). The only problem I can foresee is driving in 6th gear uphill ... but then you would need lessons in driving at that point.

Silver8, your videos are always entertaining! I like the HOLY CRAP at the end. What gear were you driving in most of the time and roughly how fast ... 2nd I presume judging from all the BEEPS.

8thRider

OH!!
i mean going uphill in snow....lol...forgot the snow..

SilverEIGHT

Thanks, glad you liked it. Third gear is awesome in the mountains. This was my first time at the Heal/Toe thing and I was not real great at it but I did nail it a few times. When done correctly you feel like the car is an extension of you and you are really in control. I worked 2nd, 3rd and sometimes 4th gears trying not to exceed too much as it wasn't the high end I was really looking for just the fun in the twisties. Going too fast in the mountains is not really where the fun is. That is why when I hit 93 I was freaking out! When you here the beep in 3rd gear in the mountains it's time to let off. You don't have a lot of time to look down and the only reason I knew how fast I was going was because it was on a straight.

Since "8thRider" qualified his question by adding the word "snow", I guess this will change this whole thread. Now I have to suggest you do a search because this is WELL documented on this site.

8thRider

i searched and saw a couple of threads talked about snowing...
but im trying to find something that talks about driving on snow going UPHILL...but i couldnt find any info on that

Rupes

I was driving through the Colorado Mtns. a few weeks ago and at high altitude, the car really lagged. No matter what the RPM, going up a hill in the high altitude regions is gonna suck.

BrilliantBlackEight

Really enjoyed it, thanks for sharing!

BlueFrenzy

8thRider, did you see my post right above yours?

As mentioned, UPHILL and SNOW is not a problem. Only thing you have to make sure is that you get some good snow tires. You will die if you try to drive with your stocks on snow/ice. Just be sure that you don't try to gun it or turn off DSC or do something stupid in these situations. Look in the tires section or search under "winter tires".

SilverEIGHT, you are a brave man.

SilverEIGHT

I think stupid is more appropriate!

Elara

Exactly- same as any other car.

Just curious- what do you do or where do you live that would have you driving uphill in snow on a regular basis?

As for driving up a mountain WITHOUT snow- this car is made for it. It literally sprints if you don't pay attention. Evil, evil....suddenly you're going 80 up the mountain and it's like "whaaa...??"

guy321

What would YOU know about that?