I was going to purchase a beater to drive in the winter, but I don't know anymore. I heard some good things regarding the 8 (at long as you have studded snow tires) in cold weather (a.k.a. snow) conditions.

Anyone else drive their RX8 year round in a multi season environment? I would think due to the 50 50 distribution and DSC it should be ok (although it is a rear wheel drive car).

 

From what i heard get snow tires if you have the performance tires.
Myself my base I got came with Avon Tires A/S, so to a degree I'm set. Though sadly I live at the base of a culdasac which is down a small hill to the main street so I'm somewhat skeptical of my chances of getting up there since my road is dirt
Thankfully I have a bus station litteraly down at the end of my street so I'm just gonna take that to work each day and save myself a ton of money, sadly I'll lose some respect possibly but I'd rather pay about $2 a day to and from work than pay $$$$ in body work from possibly spinning my 8 into a telephone pole. I've driven a Work Truck last year in the winter it wasnt that bad but with the 8's desire to redline and my base with traction control I dont wish to risk it.

 

Hi
I am thinking of buying an RX8, 2004, for my son at his insisting request. He is almost 18 (and worked hard to pay half !!)
We live in Montreal and I am worried about winter driving, among other worries.
Any advise ??
Thanks a lot.
Hani

 

ONLY and ONLY drive th 8 in the winter with 4 new Blizzaks on it....

 

Blizzaks are amazing on any car.........

 

I got my car in December, and I drove my rx8 with Potenza's on it for fun once in the snow ( roads were clear ), Slid on ice smacked a curb about 2-3 minutes into the ride.

 

It is passable in the snow (only with winter tires). The stock tires will be completely useless (as they should be). In cold air they'll have all the grip of steel drums.

I am looking into a winter car, but you can survive with the 8 during winter. I had blizzaks on mine last winter and tried to get up a hill and around a corner during a snow storm (coming home from work, couldn't be helped) and it barely made it. Other cars were off on the side of the road and stuck on the hill so it did better than them but it was enough for me to say "Screw this, I'm getting front or all wheel drive winter beater."

 

I actually don't have stock tires on the car. They're Kumho Ecsta SPT Ultra Performance tires (Z rated), but are specifically designed for the summer, so I'd have to upgrade. Blizzaks sound like the way to go (or any all season tire with studs). Thanks for the responses

 

How much are Blizzaks and where can i find them?

 

I use 18" Pirelli Snow Sports and have had no problems. Average snow here is 65+ inches maxing out at 100-135 in a hardy year. 12 inches is a 'dusting' here.

The 8 behaves very well with snow tires, better then some of my FWD cars did on all seasons. I have a GT with traction control which I'm sure helps. A base model would be more challenging but no more so then a 1975 Ford Granada with bald tires.

Expect to spend $800 minimum on snows. I bought nice rims for mine because they are on 6 months a year. April/May or late October snow is always a pleasent surprise.



ps. I found all this information before I bought the car by doing a SEARCH

 

do u think u would do better with a front wheel drive car?...........with blizzaks all cars are the same, in snow 50-50 is perfect to because there is not more weight in the front......if you still have a prob just add 2 50 Ib sand bags in the trunk and u will be fine any where. one of my beaters is a lex is300 and with blizzaks its my fav in the winter. i always take it to the mountains where i go to ski and its great as long as i have those tires...don't forget this car is also not 50-50 its more like 75-25 and i still have great grip with 2 sand bags in the back. so the 8 should be perfect in the snow.

 

I put Blizzaks on both my 8 and the wife's Miata. Both cars were transformed to very capable winter drivers.

Something else to think about. Take a snow day! If the forecast is for crappy weather, stay home! If you can't work from home, the stuff will still be there when you go in the next day when it's safe.

 

I run the same tires in fall, winter, and spring in Colorado. I have been happy with the tires. I drive my '8 all year long with no trouble. If we get a good dumping, I take my other car or get a ride to work. In the three winters I've owned my '8, I've done that three times.

 

Im in the South so I dont worry bout skidding off road as bad as some of you guys do, what I worry about is the cold starting/stalling probs I was miserable with last winter...ugh.

 

Well, here in VA studded tires are illegal, but IMO these days with improved materials you really don't need them. I drove all last winter with Dunlop Winter Sport M3's, and they did great. The consumer survey at Tire Rack listed them in 1st place compared to other performance winter tires.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ireSearch=true

Driving a rear-wheel drive car in winter is no big deal as long as you have good tires. Just slow it down a bit and don't make any sudden turns. And find a good deserted parking lot to practice in.

 

..DONT forget on sunny clear dry road days- DONT dirve on the snow tires like they sre the summer tires...They are really soft and mushy and it will not handle...

 

I actually didn't know that.....thanks for giving me something to think about. I probably would have treated the snow tires like summer tires. Good to know!

 

So does this mean driving like a granny? or just driving it like a normal 4-door family sedan and not a sports car?

 

Yup..The Blizzaks are soft and spongy.. Drive it like a family car!!!

 

Save yourself some money and get the Dunlop Winter Sport M3's. There rated as the best winter tires, much cheaper.

 

I put Blizzaks on my car for last winter and like them even more than the stock Potenzas. Sure they are not as sports-capable as the Potenzas, but they go like stink in the snow. The RX-8 was completely transformed. If you have traction control and Blizzaks your car is very competent when old man winter comes to town.

 

I agree!

 

We are slaves to brands aren't we? Bought some cheap Vikings, a Czech Republic tire, and it was amazing last winter.

Only problem with the 8 and snow is that its too low, so watch those oil coolers. My front air dam acted like a plow on occasion.

 

If studded is allowed in your state, and you want the ultimated performance on ice, nokian hakkapliita 4 may be the best. Studless Blizzak WS-50 is pretty popular in Alaska, too. But it wears out pretty quickly (around 3 seasons). I wonder Micheline X-Ice, which is supposed to be pretty close to Blizzak, can last longer. The other good studless snow tire is Nokian RSi. Green Diamond is getting popular in AK, but they don't make the size which fits RX-8. All of these tires are for the snow/ice performance. So if it doesn't snow much in connecticut, you might want to get something with better dry road performance. This web site has good info: http://www.snowtire.info/

 

Thanks for the info! I guess a guy from Alaska would know what he's talking about regarding winter driving.