Hi Y'all I'm looking into leasing an RX-8, that or a Mazdaspeed6.


how's winter driving in the RX-8, with snowshoes of course, I live in Montreal.

Thanks for any input.

Eric

 

Should be just fine. There's lots of members that live with snowy winters, and they seem to be quite happy with snows on. The MS6 has AWD, is much, much bigger inside, and is about three feet wider and longer than the RX-8. Completely different kind of car.

 

Welcome to the site!
I ran my '8 all winter with some Ice Bear winter tires on 17" rims and had no problems.
Which car you buy depends on your needs so take a few out for a drive and try to imagine living with them. Read through the issues page and through 'the little things'
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/little-things-67045/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/

 

Hello Eric,

I live in Mtl and I had my first winter this year with my RX8. I had no problem at all. I have good winter tires on it and I suggest that you get good one too if you buy this car otherwise forget it. 4 seasons won't do the job during winter. See my thread here:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/suggestion-those-looking-winter-tires-74208/

I am very, very happy and a proud owner of my RX8. My advise: buy it, you won't regret it.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the input guys,
I know the 8 and the Speed6 are completely different cars, I need to make my mind up as to what I want, even thought the RX8 is in front right now.
Would you guys think a Used 2004 RX8 with about 30-40k is a good and safe buy ?

Now...just the matter of that darn gas mileage...350km on a tank...hmmm...

 

I tried an RX8 with Dunlop Winter Sport 225/50 R 17. The rain performance was good to great, but the snow performance was no good for commuting in snow. If I was driving on snow a lot I would ditch the winter sport concept and go to the best all season tire out there, maybe on the same rimsize (18") I think they would bite in the snow a lot better than the winter sport did, yet would not heat up on dry or rainy roads and sign off the way an ice and snow tire does. I'd try to go kinda narrow.

The all season variety of tire can be amazing. The michelin 17" all season that came on my 4 cyl mazda 6 sedan are incredible in snow, dry, and rain. Haven't tried them on ice but it wouldn't be the best. For that you need a tire that isn't good on the other surfaces unless you drive easy.For consideration, I recommend a mazda 6 with the small engine, limited slip front wheel drive, traction control that you can turn on and off, a stick, and one step up in trim package or so, which will give you electric seat, larger riims. And maybe better instrument lighting. A car magazine tipped me off about the balance. Very nice.

 

Trust me..I need WINTER tires not 4 seasons up here, I go up north sometimes in the winter so roads are not that good, lots of ice.

How much did you guys pay if it's not indiscrete, I'm looking to lease and get away with 575 monthly over 48 months with the dealer (value as new) insurance. My problem is I currently have 2 years to go on a leas eMazda 3 GT loaded...I have about a 3k loss to cover on that one.

 

The mazdaspeed 6 is overall a better 4 season car then the RX-8
both have their positives and negatives. But if youre going to use the car during the winter season, go for the mazdaspeed 6

 

I don't think it's that straightforward. I agree the 6 should be a better winter car, BUT with some decent winter tires I made it through this past winter in my GS, which doesn't even have traction control to help me out with this.

 

Hey,

I drive a GS through the winter w/ the stock 18" rims on a nice pair of
winter Yoko's.... It was great when it snowed!!! I do like driving in the
snow though!!!

If your looking for a car that's semi practical but a blast (especially around the corners ) to drive go for the 8.

If u need more trunk space and/or can't live w/ the crappy mileage go w/ the
6 Speed....

They're both pretty much identical 0-100km right???

Enjoy the decesion... I don't think u can make a wrong one!!!

Cheers

 

No questions that the speed 6 is better than the RX-8 in winter, 4WD vs RWD, enough said.

However the RX-8 with 4 snow tires are decent on snow, it really depends on the winter tires you get, do some research and get the right tire... If you drive on unplowed and icy roads, i'd get snow tires that have higher ice rating. X-ice perhaps?

Also the speed 6 is A LOT faster than the RX-8 in a straight line trust me....Unless you launch at 8k in the RX-8....... not many can pull a succesful high rpm launch like that, and the abuse ur car takes.... speed 6 has all the power down low.

If I were you, I'd get the RX-8, the rotary engine, the unique styling, the handling... but they are both great cars, great choices, you cant go wrong with either one.
________
_GODIVA_ cam

 

The Mazdaspeed 6 will have better winter accelration with ALL SEASON tires then the RX-8 with the best snow tires. When it comes to winter time, you CAN'T beat a car with 4WD. So, Mazdaspeed 6 wins when it comes to winter

Summer time 0 to 100km.h is better for the 6, it does it in 5.4Seconds and 6.3 Seconds for a street start. The 8 on the other hand, goes from 0 to 100km/h in 5.9 and a street start of 7.5!!. So Straight line performance goes to the Mazdaspeed 6

Fuel economy will also be better for the Mazdaspeed 6

Handling and braking goes to the RX-8

The rx-8 is a great summer sports car, and with a greddy turbo kit. Its amazing.

But as a winter car, why would you want lose the comfort of all wheel drive, while getting really bad fuel econmy??


Summer car RX-8

All season car Mazdaspeed 6

 

^^^ I have to agree with everything mikefrombarrie just said..

we couldn't decide so we bought one of each

 

Not dissagreeing with any of your facts, just your conclusion. To sum up, the MS6 IS a better winter car, but for year round use, you have to balance what's more important to you: Summer performance or winter performance. I run my car year round, and bought it with the intention of doing so. Still, I wasn't prepared to compromise the summer handling to get a car that's better in the winter. It's a personal choice.

And again, running the 8 in the winter is not that bad. In fact, its kind of fun to have oversteer at will under your right foot.

 

Omg Come On Man!!!!!! Winter Is The Best Part About Owning The Car!!!!!!


Tlovr Out

 

I agree with Tlovr. I love driving the 8 in the winter. I run 17inch 215/55/17 Dunlop Wintersport M3's and they work fine. I have driven around in snow as deep as the upper airdam (painted portion) and not gotten stuck. The tires suck in the ice, but in snow and slush they work great.

The 8 handles really well in the snow as well with DSC/TCS and a low polar moment of interia. To me the 6 is a bit better in the winter, agreed (i used to drive an AWD BMW); but you give up a lot in looks, style and summer performance.

 

Hey all,

I just test drove the mazdaspeed 6..... Wow it has torque/good acceleration!!, good passenger space and a big trunk... oohh and nice mileage and an alright looking interior.

Next to that, what a sh$t box. It handles like crap!!!! The shift
stick feels awful....
The rims and 215 tires???? What the hell were they thinking???

Reminds me of a slightly refined american car. Excellent power, crappy handling.
Mazda needs to do a little work on this car IMO

If your going for the speed6, do yourself a favour and go test drive a 4 door G35.
If it's too much new... I'm sure u can find a bunch used w/ low km for a good price.

Just my opinion.

Cheers

P.S. On paper the 6 Speed is awesome, but so were the NY Rangers from 2000-2004 and we all know how much they blew goats.

 

Thanks to all of you for your input after shopping around and making up my mind, I decicded to go with.....drumroll please..... Mazda 6 Sport GT-V6, got a great deal and with the money I'll save on the payments gas and insurance, I'll be visiting more of Europe ! Still gotta choose the color though.

Besides, my friends 911 is always an option if I need to go crazy on the weekends !!

I hope you all get to enjoy your cars as long as possible.

Eric.

 

I'm sure u made the right decesion for u! Sorry about
dissing your car

Enjoy Europe on all the $$$ you'll save on gas.

cheers