Potential Buyer W/Questions!
 

First of all, thanks a ton for this forum! It will help me a lot to visit with other RX8 owners to decide if this car is right for me. First off, I live in Nebraska and so am curious as to those who live in these snowy regions if you take your RX8 out in inclement weather and how it performs. Can you even buy a heavier treaded tire for RX8s? I have two teenaged boys, took the RX8 out for a test drive, put the older teen in the back, and he swears it rides good; but he's also reaching driving age and I'm sure is drooling over the fact that he'll get to drive it. HA! Do you hear complaints from passengers on a longer drive, or is it truly pretty comfortable riding in the back? I love the RX8, love to drive it, love its look, but the rear-wheel drive has me worried with snow and rain. Any help and advice you can give me would really be appreciated! Thanks!

I've posted a near-horror story on this site about my 8 in the slush. Well, it was about 2 or 3 inches of snow/slush with stock tires. My silly fault for dropping to second (manual mode of automatic) at about 35 or 40MPH with stock tires. Even on the track if you drop a gear before your speed is right it will chirp the rear tires. Anyway, I ended up going side ways for a while, but didn't hit a thing! There were cars all over the place that day. Don't know why I didn't drive my 4x4 truck.
I've heard that the 8 will do great in the snow with proper tires. After my big adventure in the slush, I'm more of a believer of the traction control of this car. I wouldn't let the rear wheel drive bother me too much. The car's well balanced weight, predictable control and handling (as long as the driver drives properly for the conditions) are very impressive. Even with all that said, it's no snowmobile.
No input of riding in the back seat for long trips. My daughter is 7 and is always ready to do anything but get into any car. Does "Are we there yet?" sound familiar?
I looked into a lot of other cars and am really happy with my purchase of the 8. Got to find what you like and what works well for you.
Good Luck.

I have not personally had to drive my 8 in the snow yet, however if you read through the forum it is clear that the best bet is to have extra rims with snow tires for easy change out. In regards to the back seat, it is ok for an adult for short rides but I personally would not want to ride in it for long period. Kids appear to have no issues. The 8 is a pleasure to drive and is great that it offers the option to take 4 people if necessary. Hope that helps and happy buying. In addition you may want to visit the MW forum for more 8 owners in your region.

I have had mine out in the snow - most of the time not by choice, the snow crept up on me... anyway, when I had the Bridgestone Potenzas on her... well.... I've had better luck with racing slicks. :) That all changed last year when I put a set of Pirelli P-Zero Neros on her. I found myself driving home from Ft. Collins in a nasty sudden snowstorm and the car didn't deviate in the slightest. There is an entire thread devoted to these tires, here. I love these tires!
As for long trips and adults, (or adult size kids) in the back seat, my kids (one is 6'3", the other is 5'10"), don't complain too much, as long as the taller one is riding behind mom. But, they are kids, afterall, and are not as prone to aches and pains and such as we older folk are ;)
As I'm sure you've probably found, most of us are really happy with our cars. There is nothing like getting on a nice long stretch of twisties and just going to town. I tell everyone who asks, "If you have the means, pick one up."
BTW- what part of Nebraska do you call home? My wife is originally from a little town north of Lincoln, and we occasionally travel through on 80 when we go to Iowa to visit family. I smell photo-op!:D

Thanks everyone for your responses! Some good info here. Now I'm going to begin my diligent search and hope to purchase sometime next spring. Doccable, I live in North Platte at present, but am originally from Lincoln. I hit the mountain states info because I often drive into CO as my sister is in Ft. Collins, and while my Explorer has gotten me out of some messes driving out of there, I wasn't sure about an RX8. Granted, it's probably not something I would even attempt in a blizzard, but since it will be my primary source of transportation, it's good info to know.... just in case. Thanks again all!

I know this is an old thread, but I'll tell you that the stock tires are squirrely in the rain and snow. Mine was a nightmare compared to dry driving. Almost jeckel and hyde for one of the best cars I have have driven as far as handling goes.

Switching the stock tires to the pirrelli p-zero brand is a perfect fit, and made the end of the 2004-2005 winter an rx-8 driving time too. I didn't have any increased road noise either and the handling wasn't affected. Traction actually increased on launches.

If I did it again, I would go and buy keystone rims (OEM replacements) at about $120.00 each and put the bridgestones on that for summer driving.

All I can say is that these strange high-plains states are funny because we can drive bikes and sport cars almost all year around. By switching the tires out, you can essentially drive the 8 all year in any weather. I know it is a rear wheel drive, but that didn't impact it any in my opinion.