its that stuff they make in big bear that we ski on after we spend the morning surfing in the ocean!!

 

Is anybody from heavy snowfall cities(like Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary) going to drive it in the winter, or just park it?

I'm still undecided.

 

I originally thought the 50/50 weight distribution should improve winter handling because more weight would be on the rear. My 66 Mustang required significant augmentation in the trunk to keep the rear wheel drive even sort of useful. However, I was rudely awakened to the true effect one fine ice storm in TX. 50/50 just means it spins like a top that much easier.

I'm driving it year round in any weather, but I will get snow tires if/when I face snow again.

 

im going to give you the hot ticket for those of you that are going drive in the winter.i have lots of time on snow and ice [30 years in alaska] and have drove reardrive and front drive cars.trying to find 17 or 18 winter tires is not easy and they are expensive.the 2 tires i know come in 18s our blizzak and michilin pilots. these are non studded tires and out perform studs in all catagorys except glare ice.they have a very soft compond and will wear very fast on dry roads so they are not for everyone.our state troopers use blizzak on all there cars and they are reardrive crown vics and they are out on the worst nights in ak.if your serious about performance in the snow take a look at these and roost all ditch divers as you pass em.

 

Yup, year round. I've already done some preliminary looking for 17" wheels and winter tires. I'll be taking it skiing to Lake Louise occasionally, etc.

Regards,
Gordon

 

Oh, you mean fluffy rain?


The blizzaks (not Snoopified thats the real name) from bridgestone are hands down the best winter tire, they've won every test for years. And tirerack usually sells packages with steelies for most cars.

 

Read your lease agreement carefully. I'm fighting lease wars right now (see my posts on other lease-related threads.) One of the provisions is there will be a certain minimum amount of tread on the tires or you pay to replace them after you return the car. You might baby those tires, but if you cut it too close you'll end up buying a set for the dealer anyway.

 

Yes on a 3 year or 4 year lease chances are you will have to replace the summer grip.

All seasons came with my car, I replaced them at 50K Km/s. I bought tires that would last at least another 60K so I wouldn't have to replace them AGAIN for the dealer!

Looks like I will only be putting on 15k on these tires, so they will be getting almost new rubber. At least I won't have to shell out another $1000 in tires when I trade it in!

 

100% I'll be driving the 8 year-round (Ottawa). It's an awesome car, why not enjoy it? IMO, I find it ironic that some will park their sports car to drive a beater over the winter instead. We're not talking about a Ferrari here, it's a Mazda... Taking it off the road might add 2 years lifespan or 5% more value to the car in 15 years time, how many here think we'll benefit from that when the time comes? IMO, it's not worth the hassle and inconvience of driving a beater (obviously I'm referring to 7+ year older vehicles here). You loose reliability and safety - and if there' ever a time you want those benefits from a car, it's during the winter. Imagine you're in a collision and the lack of safety technology rewards you with some major injuries - but at least the RX-8 is safe at home in the garage?!

I drove my FD for a couple of winters with 0 issues and that was every single day including in some pretty severe weather. I ran a 205/55 16 winter tire on the stock rims and it was great. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the car's excellent handling had gotten me out of situations which a typical FWD would have not. I plan to purchase some 18" winter tires for the 8 and simply spend the $40 locally to get the tires swapped. As I posted before (not sure in this thread or not), the low torque, excellent chassis dynamics, traction and skid control will make winter driving a simple affair. As for wear and tear, I simply rust proofed every fall and the FD looked and ran fine.

 

i know for a fact the Vancouver chinese population likes to put a couple bag of rice (40 lbs bags) in the truck to weight it down

 

Well, with my current financial planning, my forecast looks like this: I currently own a paid in full 2000 Protege ES with 50K, and a 2002 MPV ES with 10k (still paying for it.) I refuse to have more than one car payment, so my RX-8 is waiting until the van is paid off. (2-3 more years.)

Here's my plan, 3 years from now I will have a 6 year old Protege with around 90-100K. It has been completely bulletproof, and since I take care of my cars, it looks like new. Not a bad ride if you ask me. It becomes my beater. I drive it til it dies.

My MPV wil be paid off with around 45-50K. It has all the latest safety equipment (airbags, abs, tc, etc.) with good crash ratings. With the low mileage, it will be good for another 4-5 years.

So thus I move my Van payment over to pay for my RX-8, I still have my Protege which is a pretty decent ride when the snow comes a fallin (or maybe even rain for that matter.) My RX-8 stays spit shined all the time, and I keep as many miles as possible off of it.

The way I think about it, my RX-8 is going to be like my dad's old 68 camaro. He always regrets not keeping that car. Look at how many late 70s and mid 80s RX-7 there are still out there. So I hope to keep my RX-8 for 20-30 years. Sure I will have to replace a few things (like the engine), but if I keep it in good condition, it won't take much to restore it just like an old muscle car or anything else. (The jury is out on the electronics, but I would think they could be replaced too.)

Anyway, sorry for the life story, I am just venting my long range planning.