Hey guys,

I live in the Maratimes here in Canada and I am looking to buy an RX-8 and wanted to use it as a primary driving car. Has anyone used the car in the winter and would this car be good for just everyday driving or should I look at keeping my current car as a second car for the winter?

Thanks Guys,

 

I haven't driven mine in the snow yet but when it was kinda icy out i did a big fishtail through an intersection with tc on. i have another car as my daily driver not to mention i dont have the money to fill the tank up on the 8 twice a week if i drive it everyday where as my other car i fill it up a lot less

 

This car rocks in the winter as long as you have winter tires. Do a search, you will find lots of posts on this topic.

 

Winter tires are a must. Then just add some weight in the trunk, I use 3 50lb bags of sand, then she drives fine. Do not attempt to drive an 8 in the snow with the potenzas on, you will regret it when you crash into something.

 

^^I totaly agree with that statement!!^^ I just bought my 8 not even 2 weeks ago. I really didnt think i would have to worry about snow in Oklahoma this time of year, but I was WRONG!! we got 3 INCHES YESTERDAY!!! man, and I had to get to work, I couldnt believe how bad it was on the stock tires!!! I made it to work fine, but it was scary!!! good thing the snow was gone though by the time work was over!!

 

I agree with all of the above.. I put on 4 Blizzaks WS-50's and one bag of 50 sand in trunk. The 8 was great in snow..ENJOY!

 

It's true my fellow Canadian, winter tires changes everything. With DSC and TSC, its great!

BUT, its a low car and you WILL plow snow into your rad, a/c and oil cooler area if your not careful in high accumulation snowfalls. So caution still needed.

 

I live in New Hampshire. Lots of snow and ice here. I have winter tires and rims. The car is my daily driver. I use it all year. No big problems.

 

I would invest in a wheel/tire package to make your winter change easy for years to come. I have had two good winters on 17" Dunlop Winter Sport M3s. Just be carefull that the 17" rim fits over the front brake. (6-speed has 18" stock rims) My first rim choice was a 17" Konig that only cleared the brake by about 2mm. So I tried a different one that cleared by about 8mm. Most wheel/tire packages I found cost between $1100-$1300 USD.

 

Without a question the RX-8 is a reasonable car in the winter WITH WINTER TIRES ON - but given the low stance and clearance if you can reasonably have a second car for bad weather I would go that way.

Lived in Cape Breton for years with a second generation RX-7 as my daily driver - and with the wet snow - the clearance was a problem - the car would get hung up when cutting through a drift.

Enjoy your RX-8 - but save it 'for the good' not the ugly.

 

I may add - these are the low unprotected oil coolers..... and very expensive. Best to at least add the protection of the Racing Beat guards.

 

You're aware that there's a "Canada" forum here, n'est-ce pas? There and elsewhere your question has been answered approximately 956,000 times.

 

As I may end up in a 4 season climate sometime later, need to also learn more bout winter driving.
If you got the DSC and TSC package (GT package), AND have good snow tires on, are sand bags in the trunk still reccommended??

 

Just get some snows and you'll be fine. Preferably on their own wheels, so you can step down to 17" wheels/tires (cheaper and probably better than 18's in the snow).