Miata vs. RX-8
 

Is the RX-8 so unstable when it rains/snows vs. the MX-5?

I learned quickly enough with my Miata (turboed nonetheless) to drive like granny during incliment weather.

But it seems like (from searching here) that RX-8 owners are sworn to the almighty DSC. Is it really so hard to drive non-DSC in the 3% of the time when it is raining/snowing heavily (w/ winter tires in snow).

No disrespect meant. One Mazda love. :)

Keep reading the stock potenza's that come on many of the rx-8's do poorly in wet and useless in snow with DCS or not.

just like the miata - or most any car...a set of good all-weather or inclement weather tires are required if you wanna do very well.

^^yes...yes they are...the stock tires aren't so go dwhen the weather is bad......at least not when you have a good amount of miles on them..mine are kicking 31k miles on the stock tires...and they are horrible if there is anything on the ground.

So it's just the stock tires?

Obviously they're worthless in the snow, but are they so bad in the wet, too?

My Miata has Falken Azenis (not a great aqua tire) which have never caused me a problem in the summer rain, not that I drive crazy in monsoons. On cold, even slightly wet 32+ days, again, it's drive like granny time, as I've learned.

But a non-DSC RX-8 shouldn't be any worse than a MX-5, should it?

My previous car was a 1993 Miata. What I have observed directly is:

- The stock Potenzas are summer tires. If there is snow/ice on the road don't bother taking the RX-8 out of the garage (first hand experience). All the goodies (LSD, TCS, DSC, ABS) require that at least one wheel has solid contact with the road. The good news is that this is strictly a tire issue. Put All-season or Winter tires on the RX-8 and you are good to go. The trade off is the all-season or winter tires will not provide the dry surface handling the potenzas provide.

- The RX-8 is heavier than the Miata. It has substantially more power, better braking and (in my mind) better handling. Hence things happen a whole lot faster and, if you are not paying attention, things can also get out of hand quicker, regardless of road surface conditions. Bottom line, the stock Miata (even without LSD) seemed easier to drive and that it took care of me even when I was pushing it.

- My RX-8 has DSC. My gut tells me that the DSC make it easier to drive the RX-8 regardless of pavement conditions. In terms of inclement weather, I have not noticed problems on wet pavement (in warm weather) which I attribute to the DSC (and I don't drive like granny when it rains).

Bottom line, if you are a hard core enthusiest with a lot of experience in driving high performance vehicles without the aid of electronics then I would say you could skip the DSC. If the RX-8 will be your daily ride and you are looking for something as easy/comfortable to drive as the Miata I would suggest getting the DSC.

Also, do a search on the winter driving threads. Those guys swear that the DSC is great with the winter tires. My experience with snow (except for one time) is to just park the RX-8 in the garage.

I've never had a problem in the rain...I drive my other car in the snow.

I put Blizzaks on the wife's Miata this year - goes great in snow now - completely undriveable before.

Next season I'll do the same with my 8. I have DSC, and still no go in the snow with stock tires. I'm sure with the Blizzaks I'll have no problems.

Wet driving with the stock Dunlops, in my case, is ok. Obviously I can't run all out, but I shouldn't be doing that in weather anyway.

Huhwha

yea the stockers suck ass in the snow....just take two concrete bags and throw them in the trunk. One on each side of the car...hehe

31K??? HOLY :eek:

I sold my 99 miata not too long ago and now have an RX-8. The difference is night and day. When the road was wet and I was in the miata, it was a chore to keep the rear end from sliding around, especially when taking off from a stop light or cornering. I sometimes had to feather the clutch out in 2nd gear when pulling away from a stop. I did have wider tires than stock so that exaggerated the problem. RX-8 handles much much better, much less tire spin and sliding.

that must be some record at 31k. I will need to replace two at about 16k.

with BFG kdw's, wet handling is amazing.

Anyone try the Potenza S03? How do they work? I'm in SoCal and only need wet traction on occasion.