robrecht

How cold can you run these safely?

I'm so sick of my Kumho Ecsta SPTs that I bought to be able to use in the Jersey snowless winters. But right from the start I really missed the sharper dry handling of the stock 040s (really cheap at Tire Rack now, $125 BTW), but I still want better handling in the wet also so I'm ready to pull the trigger on the Star Specs.

I've already read that the newer Star Spec compound is supposed to improve the capability of the tires to heat up faster than the older Z1s. How much better are they as the temperature starts to get colder?

One Tire Rack reviewer said he wouldn't run them in colder weather in Nashville, but another guy said they were fine on 33 degree wet Colorado roads. I guess conflicting Internet opinions means I'll probably have to try them out for myself. I still have an extra set of Wintersports (on my Miata) so it's not like I won't have reasonably fun transportation in the really cold or snow, but I'm wondering how late into the year I can safely use the Star Specs on my 8.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

I personally wouldn't use them below freezing...so whenever that is for you

robrecht

Thanks, that sounds pretty encouraging for such a high performance tire.

robrecht

OK, update for anyone interested.

In cold wet weather in the mid-30s these do not have good traction, but OK if you're stuck and are careful.

In cold dry weather, I've driven these in 19 degrees and their dry traction is still good, probably the same as Kumho SPTs in this temperature.

BTW, I've put my Wintersports on my Miata so I'm ready for the snow and cold-wet weather. I'll still use the RX-8 with the Star Specs in the dry cold and let you know if I find the cold limit of these tires. I'll also let you know if the tires are degraded in the Spring. My commute is relatively short so it's not like I'm wasting these tires too much with lots of cold weather miles and our winters have gotten pretty mild here in NJ.