I've made contact with two dealers to put a deposit on one of their allocations. Both told me they would be start coming late May early June. I have my doubts but timing is not a big concern for me.
Anyway, my dilemma is to DSC or not to DSC? I live in central Ohio not the snow belt but we do get one or two good storms a year. My plan is to put Blizzaks or similar on in the winter (forgive me). Is the DSC the same as traction control? I'm thinking it's not. I think DSC applies brakes to prevent a spin/skid which might be useful in winter but is not a true traction control. Is this correct? The limited slip should help winter traction.

 

Yup, you have it figured correctly.

Taction Control will sense slip of the rear wheels relative to each other and relative to the front tires. If slip is sensed then power will be cut (drive by wire throttle) and possibly the slipping tire will have the brake applied. Traction control is basically a replacement for a driver having very accurate throttle foot.

DSC senses sideslip (yaw) of the car. This can be oversteer (fishtailing) or understeer (plowing). Once sideslip is sensed the car will apply brakes to whichever tires can help eliminate the sideslip. Sometimes the DSC also cuts engine power.

 

Can DSC be disabled?

 

My take is to get DSC. This is one of those things that can really save your butt in some very critical situation. Can't really put a price tag on that.

 

Yes.

Theres a button that disables it. Press it once and it is disabled unless ABS kicks in, press and hold (for 6 seconds I think) and it is disabled totaly.

 

Cool, I feel better now.

 

heh....

 

In Canada, (more reasons to have it?) it is Standard on the GT.
"For the RX-8, Mazda developed a torque-sensing Super LSD to support enjoyable and safe driving over a wider range of conditions, from everyday maneuvering to forceful driving-at-the-limit. Super LSD has a low TBR of 2.0, which assures predictably smooth vehicle behaviour during fast cornering and on low friction road surfaces, and improves stability during off-the-line acceleration and straight-running." It is Standard on GT as well.
(quote from Press kit)

 

Only 2.0? That's at the low end of the normal range for RWD cars. I would've preferred a higher TBR for autocrossing, but I guess 2.0 will have to do. (Those of you who have no idea what that means, can find a fairly useful explanation here and a detailed white paper here.

 

This was probably done to allow for more controllable oversteer for the average driver under adverse conditions as opposed to a possible snap oversteer condition.

Either way, it sounds like the RX-8 handles very well.

Another good link: http://members.aol.com/agspeed/LSD-lock.htm

 

The early DSC on RX-7's was snow chains! It was like a four wheel drive sports car!