I chuckle softly at the irony...
#26
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Would you rather that they put some good for nothing all-season M+S H-rated tires instead of the high performance tires? I don't think I'd like that because it will degrade the performance. When you want to drive a high-performance RWD car in the winter you should get snow tires. It is common sense. That is what the BMW drivers in the snow-belt have been doing.
We of course don't have such problems in California.
We of course don't have such problems in California.
Originally posted by Velocity-8
I sent Mazda USA a few emails about this and they said I need to buy snow tires if I want to drive the car in snow. I told them I was surprised that a car that is marketed as an everyday real world sports car should come with Ultra High Performance All Season tires. They ignored that part.
I told them that there are NO snow tires made in the stock size and that their owners book said not to use different size tizes due to the DSC and TCS. Their answer was they can't control the tire makers.
I told them I felt that the stock tire pose a saftey issue and that the car was very scary to drive in light snow. They said "Sorry for any inconveinces this may have caused."
I sent Mazda USA a few emails about this and they said I need to buy snow tires if I want to drive the car in snow. I told them I was surprised that a car that is marketed as an everyday real world sports car should come with Ultra High Performance All Season tires. They ignored that part.
I told them that there are NO snow tires made in the stock size and that their owners book said not to use different size tizes due to the DSC and TCS. Their answer was they can't control the tire makers.
I told them I felt that the stock tire pose a saftey issue and that the car was very scary to drive in light snow. They said "Sorry for any inconveinces this may have caused."
#27
Originally posted by BIMMER5&RX8
Would you rather that they put some good for nothing all-season M+S H-rated tires instead of the high performance tires?
Would you rather that they put some good for nothing all-season M+S H-rated tires instead of the high performance tires?
#28
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Originally posted by Velocity-8
Absolutely not. But I'd be thrilled with a set of Pirelli P Zero Nero that are WR rated and out perform the 040 even in Summer.
Absolutely not. But I'd be thrilled with a set of Pirelli P Zero Nero that are WR rated and out perform the 040 even in Summer.
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Re: I chuckle softly at the irony...
All drivers being equal, AWD, ASC, DSC, ABS and every other system and subsystem built into your car is only as good at protecting your car as the rubber on each wheel. All-season tires are the B students of tires...they're okay in everything but don't excel at anything in particular. If you want a great handling car in the winter, get a good winter tire. If you want to drive hard in the summer get a great performance tire.
Wear the wrong rubber and expect appropriate consequences.
I'm surprised Mazda doesn't include a waiver in the signing papers when people opt for performance tires over all-seasons. Audi got burned by not initially doing this with the TT. They settled a legal claim by offering to reimburse a very large group of buyers for the cost of winter tires. When I bought my TT I got the waiver...thus had to buy the tires on my own. Doh! :D
-Eric
Wear the wrong rubber and expect appropriate consequences.
I'm surprised Mazda doesn't include a waiver in the signing papers when people opt for performance tires over all-seasons. Audi got burned by not initially doing this with the TT. They settled a legal claim by offering to reimburse a very large group of buyers for the cost of winter tires. When I bought my TT I got the waiver...thus had to buy the tires on my own. Doh! :D
-Eric
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Re: Re: I chuckle softly at the irony...
Originally posted by Sue Esponte
I'm surprised Mazda doesn't include a waiver in the signing papers when people opt for performance tires over all-seasons.
-Eric
I'm surprised Mazda doesn't include a waiver in the signing papers when people opt for performance tires over all-seasons.
-Eric
#31
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All season tires are a compromise. They aren't as good as summer tires in summer, they aren't as good as winter tires in winter. I suppose they're OK for Camrys, Maximas, Accords, etc. where people never drive if the roads aren't plowed, etc.
However, Mazda would have looked far more stupid putting all-season tires on their premier sports car - people already focus on the acceleration performance vs. 350Z, G35C, S2000 (all factory equipped with summer tires, by the way) - can you imagine how it would have looked if they all blew away the RX-8 in handling too?
Simply put - all seasons are for people who don't mind compromising summer performance for a small safety margin if bad weather hits unexpectedly. They aren't adequate in winter anyway, and several European countries don't allow their use in winter, they require proper winter tires. Simply because they perform better and are safer.
I have had three other recent new cars (97 Contour SE, replaced by RX-8; 98 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon, replaced by 02 Audi allroad) - all were delivered with all-season tires. I used the all-seasons in summer, and installed winter tires on separate wheels in winter. Why? Because the all-seasons suck in winter, they are marginal at best. The performance of real winter tires is leagues beyond what all-seasons are capable of.
For safety and performance, winter tires are the only safe way to go in winter driving. It doesn't matter if you're talking about sports cars like the RX-8, family cars like a Maxima, or SUVs or trucks - use winter tires in winter. Now, Mazda's decision doesn't seem so bad, does it? The suitability of all-season tires is a fallacy that has been perpetrated by the auto makers and tire manufacturers over the past 20 years. People just want to cheap out - fact is, people should be expecting to have to change tires for winter driving.
Regards,
Gordon
However, Mazda would have looked far more stupid putting all-season tires on their premier sports car - people already focus on the acceleration performance vs. 350Z, G35C, S2000 (all factory equipped with summer tires, by the way) - can you imagine how it would have looked if they all blew away the RX-8 in handling too?
Simply put - all seasons are for people who don't mind compromising summer performance for a small safety margin if bad weather hits unexpectedly. They aren't adequate in winter anyway, and several European countries don't allow their use in winter, they require proper winter tires. Simply because they perform better and are safer.
I have had three other recent new cars (97 Contour SE, replaced by RX-8; 98 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon, replaced by 02 Audi allroad) - all were delivered with all-season tires. I used the all-seasons in summer, and installed winter tires on separate wheels in winter. Why? Because the all-seasons suck in winter, they are marginal at best. The performance of real winter tires is leagues beyond what all-seasons are capable of.
For safety and performance, winter tires are the only safe way to go in winter driving. It doesn't matter if you're talking about sports cars like the RX-8, family cars like a Maxima, or SUVs or trucks - use winter tires in winter. Now, Mazda's decision doesn't seem so bad, does it? The suitability of all-season tires is a fallacy that has been perpetrated by the auto makers and tire manufacturers over the past 20 years. People just want to cheap out - fact is, people should be expecting to have to change tires for winter driving.
Regards,
Gordon
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Originally posted by BRx8
Ladies and Gentlemen we have a winner for this year's Most Redundant Statement Award! hooray for the French...
Ladies and Gentlemen we have a winner for this year's Most Redundant Statement Award! hooray for the French...
I am not one who thinks that other people must save me from myself. I knew what I was buying. Mazda, as far as I know, never advertised the 8 to be good in snow.
IMO - Craig
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Re: Re: Re: I chuckle softly at the irony...
Originally posted by G8rboy
There is not an alternative or option - you get the high performance summer tires only (at least in the US), or you get nothing.
There is not an alternative or option - you get the high performance summer tires only (at least in the US), or you get nothing.
-Eric
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I know that any tire design is a compromise. I just think in this day and age there are tires that give up little if any ultimate grip and at least offer some ability to drive in the snow like the before mentioned ZERO NERO's. And in this sue crazy world I am surprised the Mazda legal department would allow a car to be fitted with these type of tires as the only option. I agree we all should have the choice to get summer tires on a car like this but also the choice to get one with a bit more real world four season grip for those that don't always drive at the cars limits and wouldn't mind the slight trade off to allow driving the car year round. And a tread that last for more the 15000 miles...is that too much to ask
.
.
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Originally posted by flatso
I know that any tire design is a compromise. I just think in this day and age there are tires that give up little if any ultimate grip and at least offer some ability to drive in the snow like the before mentioned ZERO NERO's.
I know that any tire design is a compromise. I just think in this day and age there are tires that give up little if any ultimate grip and at least offer some ability to drive in the snow like the before mentioned ZERO NERO's.
-Eric
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Originally posted by flatso
I know that any tire design is a compromise. I just think in this day and age there are tires that give up little if any ultimate grip and at least offer some ability to drive in the snow like the before mentioned ZERO NERO's. And in this sue crazy world I am surprised the Mazda legal department would allow a car to be fitted with these type of tires as the only option. I agree we all should have the choice to get summer tires on a car like this but also the choice to get one with a bit more real world four season grip for those that don't always drive at the cars limits and wouldn't mind the slight trade off to allow driving the car year round. And a tread that last for more the 15000 miles...is that too much to ask
.
I know that any tire design is a compromise. I just think in this day and age there are tires that give up little if any ultimate grip and at least offer some ability to drive in the snow like the before mentioned ZERO NERO's. And in this sue crazy world I am surprised the Mazda legal department would allow a car to be fitted with these type of tires as the only option. I agree we all should have the choice to get summer tires on a car like this but also the choice to get one with a bit more real world four season grip for those that don't always drive at the cars limits and wouldn't mind the slight trade off to allow driving the car year round. And a tread that last for more the 15000 miles...is that too much to ask
.
From a legal standpoint, it makes more sense for Mazda to sell it with summer tires, telling you they're not for winter use, than to even offer it with "all-seasons" and later having someone try to sue them when you go into a spin and kill someone. "But the the dealer said they were 'all-seasons'... how did I know I couldn't drive it up in the mountains during a blizzard"
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Originally posted by D MENAC 7
It's these annoying white flakes that render the RX-8 useless unless you purchase $700+ worth of snow or all season tires and put them on your car.
OK, Baller, I know for a fact that you, on rare occasions, get snow in Vegas. It happened just this past winter, didn't it? We had a student who went there for his and his wife's honeymoon and he said it actually snowed there. Not sure if you had any accumulation but, if you did, did you take your 8 out and experience this bliss?
It's these annoying white flakes that render the RX-8 useless unless you purchase $700+ worth of snow or all season tires and put them on your car.
OK, Baller, I know for a fact that you, on rare occasions, get snow in Vegas. It happened just this past winter, didn't it? We had a student who went there for his and his wife's honeymoon and he said it actually snowed there. Not sure if you had any accumulation but, if you did, did you take your 8 out and experience this bliss?
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Just on the top's of my palm trees......looked nice.......
#39
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Originally posted by flatso
... Do Mazda dealers point out that you will have to buy snow tires for this car if you drive it past November?
... Do Mazda dealers point out that you will have to buy snow tires for this car if you drive it past November?
I could have bought UHP A/S, but then I would be in the compromise mode, and that wasn't something I wanted ponder if my RX-8 ended up off the road in a snow bank (or worse). Its now March, spring is around the corner, and we just had icy roads earlier this week.
#40
Originally posted by willhave8
I actually think his statement gets to a key points in a direct way. People need to be accountable for themselves and while pehaps simplistic, the point was; if you drive in snow prone areas, have the right equipment. With a (insert high power rear wheel drive car) you need to have winter tires. If you drive in southern California, you don't.
I am not one who thinks that other people must save me from myself. I knew what I was buying. Mazda, as far as I know, never advertised the 8 to be good in snow.
IMO - Craig
I actually think his statement gets to a key points in a direct way. People need to be accountable for themselves and while pehaps simplistic, the point was; if you drive in snow prone areas, have the right equipment. With a (insert high power rear wheel drive car) you need to have winter tires. If you drive in southern California, you don't.
I am not one who thinks that other people must save me from myself. I knew what I was buying. Mazda, as far as I know, never advertised the 8 to be good in snow.
IMO - Craig
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Originally posted by Elara
I agree- between his post and Gord's the whole thing has been summed up pretty well. I think the big question is why didn't Mazda give us DECENT summer tires instead of the Bridgestones they did give us (at least in the US).
I agree- between his post and Gord's the whole thing has been summed up pretty well. I think the big question is why didn't Mazda give us DECENT summer tires instead of the Bridgestones they did give us (at least in the US).
#43
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Originally posted by G8rboy
Elara brings up a good point- Us Miata owners have been bitchin' about the Potenza's for years for grip and treadwear... which performance tires do other sports/sporty cars in the '8's class come with(350z/G35C/S2000/STi/Evo)?
Elara brings up a good point- Us Miata owners have been bitchin' about the Potenza's for years for grip and treadwear... which performance tires do other sports/sporty cars in the '8's class come with(350z/G35C/S2000/STi/Evo)?
#46
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Originally posted by Gord96BRG
All season tires are a compromise. They aren't as good as summer tires in summer, they aren't as good as winter tires in winter. I suppose they're OK for Camrys, Maximas, Accords, etc. where people never drive if the roads aren't plowed, etc.
However, Mazda would have looked far more stupid putting all-season tires on their premier sports car - people already focus on the acceleration performance vs. 350Z, G35C, S2000 (all factory equipped with summer tires, by the way) - can you imagine how it would have looked if they all blew away the RX-8 in handling too?
Simply put - all seasons are for people who don't mind compromising summer performance for a small safety margin if bad weather hits unexpectedly. They aren't adequate in winter anyway, and several European countries don't allow their use in winter, they require proper winter tires. Simply because they perform better and are safer.
I have had three other recent new cars (97 Contour SE, replaced by RX-8; 98 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon, replaced by 02 Audi allroad) - all were delivered with all-season tires. I used the all-seasons in summer, and installed winter tires on separate wheels in winter. Why? Because the all-seasons suck in winter, they are marginal at best. The performance of real winter tires is leagues beyond what all-seasons are capable of.
For safety and performance, winter tires are the only safe way to go in winter driving. It doesn't matter if you're talking about sports cars like the RX-8, family cars like a Maxima, or SUVs or trucks - use winter tires in winter. Now, Mazda's decision doesn't seem so bad, does it? The suitability of all-season tires is a fallacy that has been perpetrated by the auto makers and tire manufacturers over the past 20 years. People just want to cheap out - fact is, people should be expecting to have to change tires for winter driving.
Regards,
Gordon
All season tires are a compromise. They aren't as good as summer tires in summer, they aren't as good as winter tires in winter. I suppose they're OK for Camrys, Maximas, Accords, etc. where people never drive if the roads aren't plowed, etc.
However, Mazda would have looked far more stupid putting all-season tires on their premier sports car - people already focus on the acceleration performance vs. 350Z, G35C, S2000 (all factory equipped with summer tires, by the way) - can you imagine how it would have looked if they all blew away the RX-8 in handling too?
Simply put - all seasons are for people who don't mind compromising summer performance for a small safety margin if bad weather hits unexpectedly. They aren't adequate in winter anyway, and several European countries don't allow their use in winter, they require proper winter tires. Simply because they perform better and are safer.
I have had three other recent new cars (97 Contour SE, replaced by RX-8; 98 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon, replaced by 02 Audi allroad) - all were delivered with all-season tires. I used the all-seasons in summer, and installed winter tires on separate wheels in winter. Why? Because the all-seasons suck in winter, they are marginal at best. The performance of real winter tires is leagues beyond what all-seasons are capable of.
For safety and performance, winter tires are the only safe way to go in winter driving. It doesn't matter if you're talking about sports cars like the RX-8, family cars like a Maxima, or SUVs or trucks - use winter tires in winter. Now, Mazda's decision doesn't seem so bad, does it? The suitability of all-season tires is a fallacy that has been perpetrated by the auto makers and tire manufacturers over the past 20 years. People just want to cheap out - fact is, people should be expecting to have to change tires for winter driving.
Regards,
Gordon
There is no reason Mazda couldn't offer these (or similar) tires on the '8 for those of us who need them, with no loss of face. Just my 2 cents.
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Originally posted by Sue Esponte
There is no such thing as a good Ultra High Performance Tire (e.g., Michelin Pilot Sport) that performs well in the snow. PERIOD.
-Eric
There is no such thing as a good Ultra High Performance Tire (e.g., Michelin Pilot Sport) that performs well in the snow. PERIOD.
-Eric
#48
VW coulda had it...
G8rboy, Elara, Gord96BRG, others: good points!
Just some personal observations:
'95 Impreza 2.2l: Went fine in the snow (again mostly due to AWD) with stock (195/60-15) Bridgestones that were siped. But in the summer, Dunlop Sport W-10 205/50-16's on alloy wheels improved an otherwise stock car's handling and steering response quite a bit.
WRX: Probably wouldn't have had that vague, non-crisp turn-in and wait for the back end to catch up with the front feeling fitted with some good summer performance tires. (In the summer, that is) Because of AWD, it hooked up pretty well in the snow just with all-season tires.
The RX8: Although the RE040's have been panned here, I'm pretty anxious to get them back on, after driving all winter on the squishy WS-50 Blizzaks. However, squishy as they are, they allowed the car to go through some amazingly deep snow and slippery ice. They take a bit to hook up when accelerating from a stop, but with them, the RX8 has very neutral and predictable handling characteristics in snow. And it's fun purposely breaking that back end loose when you want to!
All-season radials on the RX8 might work pretty well in snow if you could get a narrower size to fit on the car, but ya can't.
I decided to pass on the traction control and DSC and put some of that money into a winter tire package, which I would have bought anyway. So far, no regrets.
Just some personal observations:
'95 Impreza 2.2l: Went fine in the snow (again mostly due to AWD) with stock (195/60-15) Bridgestones that were siped. But in the summer, Dunlop Sport W-10 205/50-16's on alloy wheels improved an otherwise stock car's handling and steering response quite a bit.
WRX: Probably wouldn't have had that vague, non-crisp turn-in and wait for the back end to catch up with the front feeling fitted with some good summer performance tires. (In the summer, that is) Because of AWD, it hooked up pretty well in the snow just with all-season tires.
The RX8: Although the RE040's have been panned here, I'm pretty anxious to get them back on, after driving all winter on the squishy WS-50 Blizzaks. However, squishy as they are, they allowed the car to go through some amazingly deep snow and slippery ice. They take a bit to hook up when accelerating from a stop, but with them, the RX8 has very neutral and predictable handling characteristics in snow. And it's fun purposely breaking that back end loose when you want to!
All-season radials on the RX8 might work pretty well in snow if you could get a narrower size to fit on the car, but ya can't.
I decided to pass on the traction control and DSC and put some of that money into a winter tire package, which I would have bought anyway. So far, no regrets.
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Originally posted by Sue Esponte
There is no such thing as a good Ultra High Performance Tire (e.g., Michelin Pilot Sport) that performs well in the snow. PERIOD.
There is no such thing as a good Ultra High Performance Tire (e.g., Michelin Pilot Sport) that performs well in the snow. PERIOD.
Most drivers will be able to get through most snowfalls just fine with HPAS tires; your car will certainly not handle as well as with dedicated snows, but it won't slide off the road at speed above 5 MPH as would be the case if you tried driving in snow with the stock summer tires...