Need your help guys, I m looking to buy a RX8 but I m scared about but winter drive. I m from Montreal. Can you tell me your impression on the winter drive of the 8. Thanks everyone ...

 

With winter tires, I never had a problem in Ontario. Especially with the best traction/stability control systems I ever tried (avail. on the GT).

If you were from Levi or Quebec City, I'd recommend something with more ride height. 8's are still low.

 

I drove around Montreal (Kirkland) in my '8 last summer. You guys sure seem to love speed bumps! and pot holes! I suggest buying a tank!

The '8 is fine in the winter as long as you have good winter rubber but get a set of 17" wheels and winter tires. Try tiretrends.com (Canadian site)

 

i live in Laval, and i drove my 8 for the second winter, need good tires, aniway for this size they all good. Be shure to buy the GT with DSC system, because no DSC forget-it. Its not a jeep but not bad to. I just have a big accident, you certenly know the 40's big carembolage in friday , feb 17th !!! with 67 cars, i was in that ****. E:mail me i will send you somes pictures, and a can tell you that this car is realy solid..... the cage didin't moove !!!! i just bot another one and it will be ready next friday..... so i love that car.

You have to think : winter tires for 17, 18 its around $265.00 to $300.00 and the famous Potenza (original tires) are realy good but will be dead after 20000km.

if you can leave you car at home when you receive moore than 30cm of snow, lets-go for it, anyway in Montreal the day after you will be ok.

You can e:mail me if you have moore questions.

 

Glad you are okay! I didn't hear about that accident. Where on the 40 did it happen? You can post pictures on this site as long as thay are less than 250K I think.

 

I didn't have a problem with winter driving . With winter tires... the car is great.

It's other people driving next to me that i'm worried about. I stored the 8 this winter and bought a civic.

 

I have a non GT model, thus no DSC, and it is still fine to drive in the winter.
Living in Winnipeg, we have our fair share of snow.

A good set of winter tires, and you will be fine.
Keep in mind that clearance is still clearance, and even with winter tires, the 8 will not make it through 20 cm of snow.

 

I have a non GT model, thus no DSC, and it is still fine to drive in the winter.
Living in Winnipeg, we have our fair share of snow.

A good set of winter tires, and you will be fine.
Keep in mind that clearance is still clearance, and even with winter tires,I would not have great confidence that the 8 would make it through 20 cm of snow.

 

Calgary here, with a 2005 GT 6spd with Toyo Garit winters...I only learnt manual after getting the 8 in October, and it is also my first RWD. I have little to no trouble driving it through snow. Just make sure you clear the wheel wells from any accumulated snow (I notice the 8 tends to accumulate more snow in the wells than any other cars I have driven)...Also, starting in 2nd helps alot if you feel uncomfortable starting in 1st (fishtails sometimes). Other than those two things, I would say the 8 is good as any other car I have driven in snow.

 

I also have a GS, so no traction control/DSC, and I'm coming to the end of my first winter with the car here in Ottawa. It's been fine for me. In really deep snow, the car being as low as it is does make things difficult, but I've never gotten stuck with it. I would say that any RX-8, DSC or not, is ok for the winter with the right tires, as long as most of the roads you travel on are regularly plowed. In MTL, that shouldn't be a problem.

BTW, my winter setup is 17" rims with 225/50R17 Hankook W300 Icebear tires. I would not recommend all seasons for a Canadian winter.

 

Montreal here also... i have the GS, its not bad.

If its the first time driving a RWD manual - get used to it first, take it easy in the beginning... Invest in good winter tires. If you can have alternate transportation the days it snows 30cm or ice rain you'll be alright... for me it seems like the worst was when it just starts snowing.... but every car is like that

take it slow and you'll be alright.. ppl know ur driving a sports car so they won't be annoyed/pissed when you take it slow off the lights, etc etc...

 

I have a GT, I run 17inch RTX rims and Dunlop Wintersport M3's. I live north of Toronto in Newmarket where we get a lot more snow. I have never gotten stuck and even come close to sliding off the road or anything. The only winter issue is the low ride height can mean you get hung up on snow if a lot falls at once.

 

I leave in Montreal and drive all winter I got my factory rims with Blizzac lm22 works fine but I have a GT with DSC.

 

Thanks Guys, I went to the dealer today to put a cash deposit and I just need to sell my Speed at my price and not at the dealer bid, and I will enjoy the 8 . Have a nice week end Guys

Couz

 

I pray for snow just so I can take my 8 for a spin! (literally... its a lot of fun) Hell, I even have a MS kit on, doesn't worry me! (the only thing that does worry me are the stones on the road...)