This is my first post!

I'm planning on buying an 04 8 come July.
My biggest concern is how they drive in the snow. Right now, I've got a pretty big SUV, so the past years the snow has been a pushover. With a car that's quick and lower to the ground I'm not sure how it'll handle icy roads and ~5 inches of snow. Does anyone have any experiences with 8's tackling snow?
How about vandals? I'll be living at college come August. We have a garage to park in, so I'm not worried about rain or hail. More worried about the jackasses who'll key the car. Does this happen often to people who park out in public regularly?
All in all, if it can take snow and not get keyed...I'll probably own one in two months otherwise....Might end up with a honda or something, which is something I'd rather not do.

 

I have a 8 and I use it to go thru snow, it will work just like any other car. but you will need winter tires (I have them)

Dont expect it to be able to go thru thick snow like SUVs tho.

 

i love my 8, but if i was in ur situation i'd get wrx or evo XD... but tats just me =p

 

As long as you have snow tires, you should be fine. Mine handles the snow great with the snow tires on it.

If you try to drive in the snow/ice with the stockers, you're pretty much guaranteed to crash.

 

It's fine with snow tires. Also, get one with traction control.

 

It's the depth of the snow that will ruin your day.

 

I drive mine all year, with all season tires. ( northern wisconsin )

 

I've driven mine through three winters. Good winters are a must.
For this winter I think I'll buy a Cavalier or something. Look what winter has done to my car

By darkbrew, shot with DSC-W35 at 2008-04-22

 

I made it through a Maryland "winter" on the stock dunlops.... But I grew up drivign FWD cars with haakapaleta's in the snow. From 16-21 I drove more in the snow then on dry pavement, so you could say I'm a bit accustomed to the stuff...

 

Winter beater's work the best..I kept my baby in the garage and pimped in the 88 plymouth sundance!!! FoSho ha......I'd park it if possible save the length and no rust but that's y im moving to florida in 2 weeks so I can get away from the snow...

 

Just finished a pretty bad winter here in Southern Ontario (compared to what it has been in the past anyway). I have a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks on 17" rims - they work just great - never got stuck, never spun out. In fact, I find the car far more skittish with the factory summer tyres when it is wet than I ever did in the winter with the snows

 

Snow tires.

 

I drove my 8 through a Michigan winter with lots of snow. Snow tires on 17" rims made the car tractor like. There were days I was plowing snow with the lower hanging parts, but I didn't get stuck.

 

It's always better to get a cheap beater. I've a Ford Escort ZX2 that I got cheap (salvage title). I enjoy watching it rust to pieces - I consider it my 8's personal Jesus...


...it's dying for my RX-8's sins!