Ok, heres the deal. I had my heart set on getting a new RX-8. I love everything about this car except I am beginning to quetion the rear wheel drive factor. I think this car is best if not used in the snow and my next car has to be used year round. I live in New Jersey and we do get quite a bit of snow where I live.

My last car was a 2000 civic SI and even that car with front wheel drive used to spin the tires like crazy. Im afraid that with even more power and rwd is gonna take all the fun out.

Is there anyone here with an honest opinion on rear wheel drive cars in the snow? Please help me find an excuse to want this car again. it looks so HOT!!!!

 

I live in Mass. and drove my 2nd Gen RX-7 year round, and plan on driving my RX-8 year round. I have not had a problem so far.

You need a good set of winter tires, and common sense.

 

Rear wheel drive is no problem in snow, especially in a car like the RX-8 with a stability control program.

The real key, and this is critical, is to mount 4 good winter tires on it. It's actually really critical for safe winter performance on any vehicle, but for starting off traction (which is all most people consider) winter tires will have a more noticeable benefit on RWD. For braking and cornering - FWD or AWD doesn't matter, it all comes down to tires. SUVs and trucks, with their much higher centres of gravity, are actually poor winter vehicles unless you're going off road, because of the high CG (that's one reason why you always see more SUVs and trucks in the ditches than cars).

In Alberta we have winters that last 5 months or more - I will be taking my RX-8 to Banff area in the Rockies for skiing regularly.

Regards,
Gordon

 

Your overreacting I live in jersey along with you, your freaking out cuz of this winters blizzard, do u know that was the first significant snow fall in 5 years. Sure we get 2 inches at least once a year, but that melts away in half a day. Like the others said pair of snow tires and keep the DSC on, and don't spin out everytime you want too.

 

As the guys have already said, make sure you've got decent tires on it and drive it well, the only problem you'll have in the snow is going up steep hills, but that can be negated with decent tire selection.

With regard to the above poll, RX8 all the way. Do you really need navigation? I used satnav when I first had a system for all of about 2 journeys and since then have never bothered. I'd always rather have the nicer car without than any other car with.

 

I had a 2nd gen RX7 that I occasionally took to the snowy mountains during the winter, using sporty snow tires. The hiway patrol would set up a checkpoint halfway up the mountain, turning back anyone that didn't have snow tires or chains. I always enjoyed waiting in line while pickups & SUVs with summer tires were turned back, then the officer would like at my tires, smile and wave me through. I'd drive by squatting drivers who were putting chains on their trucks and they'd give me quizical, frustrated or angered looks. My trips were easy and trouble free.

 

Yeah, what he said.

One Christmas in South Carolina, we received 3 inches of snow. With the lack of snowplows down there, the roads stayed covered and slick. Being Christmas, alot of people were going to see their families, and in the 3 days that the snow stayed on the road, I made three or four trips to the airport (1 1/2 hours one way on a clear road). This was done in my '86 RX7 with performance tires. With each successive trip, more and more SUVs and pickups gathered in the ditches, while I had no problems with my car.

Was it the optimal setup? Heck no. But for those few days, I was able to safely and confidently drive my car in the snow (I learned to drive in North IL/South WI). Nowadays, I drive my Miata around Denver in winter on Toyo T1s. Is it optimal? Oh no. But I can manage for the few days that the streets actually have something on them.

---jps

 

Yeah, snow tires will do you well.

Just think of the RWD and RX-8's handling and use that for justifcation over the accord coupe... 0.91g versus like, 0.78g

 

I had a 2nd gen RX-7 for four years (95-99) that I drove in all sorts of weather, (including the blizzard of 96 and hurricane Floyd) with very little problem. As long as I took my time, and didn't try to drive through more than 5 or 6 inches of snow, the car remained stable. And that was with crappy all-season tires.

My RX-7 handled better in the snow and wet, than my Integra does.

Personally, I can't see any reason for the RX-8 to not handle well in the snow. Between the low torque and near 50/50 weight distribution, the RX-8 should be able to get through light to medium snow falls. Granted you'll need a decent set of snow tires 'cause the tires it come with just aren't made for winter driving.

If you're looking for something that can go through a winter like we just had and still be performance oriented, get something like a Subaru WRX or a BMW 325xi. Otherwise, get a truck with 4wd.

-- Anthony

 

Stick with the RX-8.

I lived in Michigan for 12 driving years, and never owned a FWD while there.

Like was said earlier, with DSC, you have little to worry about, which none of my RWD's had the benefit of having.

RX-8 all the way !

 

DSC with Traction Control :D

 

I take my Miata skiing in the Colorado Rockies all the time. No problem with good snow tires.

 

Ok guys, thanks for all your help! point taken about the snow tires.

But to the guy talking about using common sense, there is no need to be snotty here. Just asking a legit question because I have heard many bad things about rwd and needed some clarification from people with better experience. I always use common sense when I drive. Especially in the snow.

Thanks again people!

 

when he said common sense i doubt he meant to be snotty.

im pretty sure that he meant to use good judgement, which you said you do, but which is very often overlooked.


with 4 good winter tires, youll be fine in the 8
________
Suzuki rg150

 

As others have said, it's tires and your driving that make the difference in snow, not RWD vs. FWD. Get the car you want, the one that pushes your buttons, not the one you think is more practical for the 3 months out of the year when you have significant amounts of snow.

 

I drove a Z28 through this last winter with all seasons on it. Compared to the way it "handled" the RX-8 should be a dream. Plus with some snows on it (which I probably won't bother to get just because I'm hoping we'll have a more mild - read typical - winter here).

BTW: I'm in Jersey too...so we were playing on the same level. I also learned to drive in Southern TX where we didn't even know how to spell snow...so this last winter was a pain but they did a great job clearing the roads at least. This first day after the big snow fall was a bitch...but the Z28 managed without getting me stuck...albeit barely leaving 3rd gear at 25 MPH...but with 6 inches on the road that's as fast as I wanted to go.

 

How does your significant other feel about that? j/k

 

Thanks P00Man. That is what I meant.

 

A pair of snow tires? Sure, that'll help get you moving - don't you ever need to turn or stop? 4 snow tires, man, you need 4 snow tires! :D

Regards,
Gordon

 

I more then once drove an RX-7 over Colorado's I-70, during winter, without snow tires. Just take it easy! I did have a pair of chains if the snow got too deep. Then it was like a 4 wheel drive sports car!

I have told my wife, if it's that bad that you need FWD, you probably shouldn't be driving.

 

FWD sucks. RWD rules. Why does the Supra, Vanquish, Murceilago, and 360 Modena have RWD? With FWD if you go into a spin and try to correct the skid you can lock up your wheels. If u get a lock up - you have no traction and no control. FWD the plain sucks. good think my car wont see snow, CALIFORNIA IS THE SUNSHINE STATE WOO WOOO!

 

Winter Tires + DSC w/traction control + COMMON SENSE = No problem.

Get the RX-8, and buy a road atlas. You'll have a lot more fun in the summer too, then those other two cars. :D

 

lol kinda stupid posting a poll like this on a RX8 forum

 

Murcielago is AWD

 

I will never buy a FWD car again, even if I lived on top of a glacier. FWD is 'perceived' to be better in snow but in reality RWD is just as good with careful driving and VSC/Traction - add snow tires and you are fine. For the other 99.5% of time when you are not driving on top of crushed snow and ice it is a fact that RWD is fun and FWD is not (altough if FWD was a must then Honda is as good as it gets).