Some people have made request for winter weather options. I was wondering if people here plan on driving in snowy winter weather. Also how do you expect the RX-8 to handle with rear wheel drive and 50/50 balance?

Thanks
Ryan Fritts

Probably like a Miata except bigger and heavier.

I'll be driving it in the winter. Use snow tires and if it comes with traction or stability control, keep it on. Unless there is two feet of snow out there, it should be fine.

What is this "snow" substance you speak of? :D

If we survived without front wheel drive cars in every garage for some approximately 75 years, I think we can survive into the future without them being mandatory on every car.

Besides, traction/stability control has progressed so far that the "requirement" for front wheel drive has almost become a non issue. There are those who say it is preferred for "packaging" purposes. I, however, don't fall for that. The rear wheels were designed to move the car and the fronts to steer and brake (mostly).

As for snow driving, yes, some of us are going to have to at least occasionally drive our cars in the snow/ice. We just have to be properly equipped, you know, snow tires, traction/stability control and more concentration when driving, but that's true for any car you drive in the snow/ice.

Originally posted by BryanH
What is this "snow" substance you speak of? :D

its this white stuff made of ice crystals that will on occasion fall from the sky, usually coinciding with cold temperatures(below freezing). take some ice cubes from your freezer and and crush them into very small pieces. this will give you an idea of what snow looks like when on the ground. unbelievable but true, when there is a large amount of it on the ground in hilly or mountainous areas, normally sane people have been known to strap long boards (called skis by some) on to their feet and slide down the slopes that are covered. this is done at great speeds and at the risk of very painful injuries.;)

Of course some folks, those who can afford it anyway, typically buy a "beater" car for the winter and keep their nice sports car clean, undented, and salt-free.

Beaters are usually some unattractive, cheap, easy to pick up (wait! I just described most of my dates in the 70's..) car that no self respecting motorhead would be seen in.

Maybe mine will be a 350Z...

You don't see many beaters around Toronto anymore since the emissions testing began. That means a "beater" car has to be something half-decent, unless you can find a mechanic willing to pull some tricks to get a POS car to pass.

Anyway, I'll be driving the RX-8 year round. 4 really good snow and ice tires and some winter wiper blades should do nicely.

I hate driving my current FWD in the winter. Its 2300 lbs, ~65% concentrated on the front end. The rear end is very squirmy when it is slippery (like ~5 flakes of snow on the ground). My RX-7, with a bag of sand in the rear and ~50/50 weight distribution, was much better. The RX-8 will be a great improvement!

Mine will definitely see the ice and snow.

I am considering doing what many of the Miata owners are doing – put snow tires on all four corners. They say it improves winter driving tremendously.

Originally posted by ZoomZoom
Mine will definitely see the ice and snow.

I am considering doing what many of the Miata owners are doing – put snow tires on all four corners. They say it improves winter driving tremendously. i might go that route, but we'll see.. i don't know how many winter tires will fit on those 18inch rims :)

Originally posted by Hercules
i might go that route, but we'll see.. i don't know how many winter tires will fit on those 18inch rims :)

I’m still not totally sold on the idea of four winter tires. However, I will be buying four steel rims for the winter so the 18” snow tire problem will not exist.

Originally posted by ZoomZoom


I’m still not totally sold on the idea of four winter tires. However, I will be buying four steel rims for the winter so the 18” snow tire problem will not exist. How much will that set you back?

if you're going to put winter tires on, put on FOUR.

if you only put two on, you're asking for trouble and making your car less safe than leaving on the summers.

the difference in traction between front and back will ruin your handling.

Originally posted by Hercules
How much will that set you back?

Less than buying 4 18" winter tires would.

Usually 4 steel rims + tires runs around $400-$600 US. A good investment.

Originally posted by Grimace


Less than buying 4 18" winter tires would.

Usually 4 steel rims + tires runs around $400-$600 US. A good investment.
Hrmm interesting :)

I might get a set of crappy tires to use during that weather, so I can prolong the life of the tires on my lease.. taht way I don't have to replace them and while the winter time is around I won't have to worry.

If the brakes are large enough to warrant 18" rims, can you find 18" steel rims?

Although if the slushbox comes with 16"ers and the brakes are the same size on the 18", they might fit on 16" steel rims. Of course this is just speculation, but just something to keep in mind.

Ahhh, good point Fuz. The brakes are a potential problem.

Winter me no drive RX-8 in.

Originally posted by ZoomZoom
I’m still not totally sold on the idea of four winter tires. .
Are you saying to only use TWO winter tires? Can you explain how is that safe? Assuming winter tires on the rear wheels, you will have traction to get started but your front tires will not have any grip to steer the car. Using two winter tires on ANY car is a terrible mistake, never mind a rear wheel drive sports car that comes with high performance summer tires stock. :confused:

Some insight on Winter tires.

http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/comparisontests/2001/April/200104_comparisontest_winter_rules.xml?keywords=wi nter

http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/columns/2001/May/200105_columns_bedard.xml?&keywords=winter&page=1

http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/features/1999/May/199905_feature_whatp.xml?keywords=winter

Are you saying to only use TWO winter tires? Can you explain how is that safe? Assuming winter tires on the rear wheels, you will have traction to get started but your front tires will not have any grip to steer the car. Using two winter tires on ANY car is a terrible mistake, never mind a rear wheel drive sports car that comes with high performance summer tires stock.

It may not be the best thing, but it's better than no winter tires. I had a '81 Chevy Malibu (RWD) with two winter tires in the rear and some crappy all seasons in the front. It got me thru 40 mi of the Blizzard of '93 (upstate NY). I probably wouldn't have made it without getting stuck if I didn't have those two winter tires. I agree it's not the safest set up, but it can be better than nothing.

Originally posted by Grimace
Ahhh, good point Fuz. The brakes are a potential problem.

The larger brakes that you get with the 240-250Bhp car and 18's will not fit in anything less than 17" wheels.... You'll have to get some cheap 17's for your winter tyres not steel's I doubt you can get 17's steel's.

Originally posted by rxtreme
It may not be the best thing, but it's better than no winter tires. I had a '81 Chevy Malibu (RWD) with two winter tires in the rear and some crappy all seasons in the front. It got me thru 40 mi of the Blizzard of '93 (upstate NY). I probably wouldn't have made it without getting stuck if I didn't have those two winter tires. I agree it's not the safest set up, but it can be better than nothing.
Agreed but only if you have all season tires on the front. On the 8 they will be summer only tires so unless you change the fronts too, you are asking for trouble in the winter.

I checked with a tire store and they suggested that I order Toyo winter tires if I drive on snow.

The expected price is about Can $ 350 per tire, or about US $ 260 per tire, plus the rim.

Questions

are Toyo winter tires good or i should choose another tire ?

Is the Canadian price reasonable or should I order the tires in a nearby USA state ?

Thanks
:confused:

Toyo has 2 models of winter tires that offer very good performance. Size is a problem, it depends if you want 18" or are going down to 17" or 16" (if 16's fit over the brakes). Ideally, you also want to go narrower with winter tires as well, while keeping the overall diameter the same. A contact at Mazda NAO in Irvine told me that the OEM 16" alloys will fit over the GT brakes, but I'd love to have someone in the US confirm that for us.

www.tiretrends.com and www.talontire.com are two good online Canadian tire vendors.

Regards,
Gordon

Originally posted by BryanH
What is this "snow" substance you speak of? :D

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.:confused:

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.

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


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

Originally posted by ibfubar2000


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

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.

Originally posted by Hercules
I might get a set of crappy tires to use during that weather, so I can prolong the life of the tires on my lease.. taht way I don't have to replace them and while the winter time is around I won't have to worry.

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!

Originally posted by pauleta
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.:confused:

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.

Originally posted by Quick_lude
I'll be driving it in the winter. Use snow tires and if it comes with traction or stability control, keep it on. Unless there is two feet of snow out there, it should be 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.