I just ordered a 6sp GS model, which does not have Traction Control on it. How would this affect winter driving? (the search returned way too many results!) I don't want to upgrade to a GT model cuz I don't want leather seats. I live in Calgary by the way.

 

well, basically as long as your right foot doesn't try to overstep the bounds of the traction you have onhand (ie, you use the highest possible gear at all times to minimalize torque-at-the-wheel) nothing would happen, there'd be no difference...
but if you're not so judicious or happen to hit an errant patch of ice, the TCS would keep your engine reigned in, and the DSC would keep your car straight...

 

By far the best thing you can do is simply buy winter tires. TCS on a car with summer tires will still be useless in winter conditions, and a non-TCS car on proper winter tires would blow it away.

I've already started checking into winter tire options for the RX-8. A contact within MNAO in Irvine checked for me and said that the 16" wheels that are standard on the US-spec auto RX-8 will fit over the bigger brakes on the RX-8s with 18" standard wheels. I'm sceptical, but certainly 17" wheels will fit.

Regards,
Gordon

 

...yeah, i wonder what width you could get an el-cheapo 17" steelie (there's no point to getting nice ones, right??) to put those snow tyres on, eh?? and then i'd be simple to adjust the offset for the reduction in width, with those higher-sidewalled snow tyres... yeah :D what a set of cheap winter grip :D

...certainly cheaper than upgrading to GT package, or even getting the TCS and Torsen diff and installed after-sale...

...or wait, is the torsen on the base model???