Relative to the standard 'fix-a-flat' tire repair procedure . . or the optional 'full-size' spare (which takes up trunk space and hinders use of the rear seat pass-through), is there not available (for example, from Mazda) a 'compact spare' for use with an 18" wheel?

 

The "spare tire kit" which gets installed at Port is NOT a full size spare.

 

From what I saw at Rev-It-Up, it didn't look like you could even get an 18" wheel & tire in the trunk. Looks like it's donut time.... mmmm... donuts....

Speaking of which, has anyone figured out the bolt circle, and how large a steel wheel is required for a donut? I dont think i'm going to buy the official version, but I plan to buy something much cheaper I can take in the car when I go on longer trips.

 

This begs the question; if you can't get the full size in the trunk, where do you put the flat?

Leave it on the side of the road?

I'm not being a wiseaZZ, I'm serious. Will the 18" wheel/tire fit in the back after removing to mount the spare?

This may sound dumb, but there are more than one car where the trunk will not take a wide, large diameter wheel/tire.

 

Good point! I think I would rather stick it in the trunk space and tie the lid down rather than putting it in the back seat.

 

Hmmmm. Let's see here. IF . . I have a flat tire and replace it with my optional "donut" (if I don't purchase a "donut" spare, I will be the ONLY RX-8 owner to EVER experience a damaged/sliced sidewall! ) . . and the 'flat' 18" wheel and tire won't fit into my trunk unless I tie down the trunk lid . . . . HEY! I see the need for . . a 'tire bag'! Put the 'flat' into the 'bag', draw-string the bag closed, lovingly place the 'bag' (and tire) on the back seat (easy to accomplish with the beautifully designed rear doors), and head off to the tire fix-it place.

Ta-da!

 

I'll be tucking a large, thick garbage bag somewhere in the trunk. If I ever need to use the spare, the flat will go inside the bag before it goes anywhere inside the car.

 

I'm down with the bag idea, but I'm not off on the trunk opening size am I (for all of you who have seen the car)? I suppose it could be barely big enough, but either way, the bag's a good idea.

 

A full size tire with the 18" rim will fit in the trunk w/ no problem. I opened the trunk on the yellow GT touring 8 that came through Austin. They had a full size spare sitting in the trunk for their road trip.

Now, whether or not it will fit in the trunk with the optional spare tire mount also in the trunk is another question.

 

Its good to hear that it fits in the trunk, but is anyone buying an extra wheel to have the full size spare?

 

In many sports cars you have to do just that (for example an 18" wheel won't fit in the front or rear trunk of a Porsche Boxster), but in the RX-8 I'm sure it would fit just fine in the back seat...

 

Boxster, along with gone BMW M roadster is what I was thinking of.

Let's just hope you don't have 3 passengers along at the time, someone is going to have ride in the trunk:p

 

Nah, then you can leave two of them behind while you drive into town with the flat tire and wheel. :D