I'm considering an RX-8 purchase, but want to know from current owners, how the car handles in rain & snow. I'm more concerned about snow, since this will have to be my daily driver.

Thanks in advance!

 

Two winters experience here, Northern Canada.

The '8 has a limited slip differential - very little wheelspin. DSC prevents wild skids, ABS works well, and the icing on the cake is traction control - one wheel on ice, one on blacktop, starts are fast and controlled.
Braking in the same conditions; couple of clicks from the rear ABS, and a smooth straight stop.

My old Acura had none of the above, the RX-8 is miles ahead.

S

 

Are you using snow tires? If so which ones?

 

search button? wheels and tires section?

 

There are many choices for snow tires. 17 inch Blizzaks are popular, although that calls for separate rims. It's just that 17" is a more popular size, hence more to choose from, and cheaper.
By the way, snow tires should not be considered optional. The high-performance tires the 8 comes with are absolute ***** if there happens to more than four flakes of snow.

 

Toyo Garit HT with the built in traction compound :D very nice ride on 17" cheapo alloys.

S

 

uhh...it does very well in the rain...Mine has been through 3 hurricanes and a remarkable amount of summer down pours. The back end can get a little squirley at times, but it's done wonders since i put on the KDW2's.

 

Whatever you do - don't try snow with the stock Bridgestone hockey-pucks! I ran 17" Pirelli snows on aftermarket rims and had no trouble at all. As mentioned already - there is a ton of information already posted.

 

I had a pretty hard time even with snow tires this past winter. Best solution is to drive a 4x4. Otherwise, watch for ground clearance, that bothered me most when driving around. You've got ~6 inches to work with.

 

Driving with the stock tires in snow or freezing rain is suicide.

Stock tires in rain: Over puddles of Standing water is a no-no, but they do fairly okay on rainy but not flooding streets.

 

snow tires are for people that don't care about the high pitch noise this puppies create. anyway if you plan to be out during snow storms get an awd car because even snow tires can take more than 4 inches of snow before you start slidding everywhere.

 

I still have my original set of Bridgestone Potenzas with less than 1000 miles on them with alloy wheels. I replaced them with 17" wheels and tires which are much more suitable for snow. Does anyone know to to sell tires longdistance? Perhaps to someone who lives where it doesn't snow? Now I just keep the 17 inch tires on all year with a remarkable improvement in handling.

Couldn't go down a side street at 5 mph without fishtailing.

 

I rode last winter out on Dunlop winter sport tires and Kazera 18" wheels. It's also better to have narrower tires in the snow if possible, creates less surface area for friction. I had no troubles, even in half a foot of snow. Just remember you're driving a rear-wheel drive sports car, ease onto the accelerator, otherwise you'll break out the backend.