Bah, stock 19's! Yeah the long range tells me I need something other than what I have if I want to make my daily commute downtown w/o harm this year. I think what I really need is a Jeep Wrangler but that won't fly I don't think with my bank account.

 

With our average snow, all seasons would be pretty much fine except for the freak 6 inches of snow at once days that are so few and far between. You won't want to be out in an 8 on those days even with snow tires. If you're going to run all seasons make sure they are newish and have a lot of tread. Old tires (especially all seasons) get hard and slick even if they still have a lot of tread. Also, skinnier is better. You want to be able to cut through the snow down to the pavement.

My 8 was the best car i've ever owned in snow with snow tires on it. It was the first time i've ever had snow tires too. I had them because i picked them up used for cheap. It still sat in the driveway a few days because i wasn't going to fill my under tray by plowing snow. The hills around cincy and all the ice is what makes it challenging. I recommend snow tires on 8 here because of said hills. The only winter i drove it was a couple years ago when we set a record for snow in february here. Growing up in NE ohio, it seems like snow here is child's play comparatively.

Unless you have the cash for the new body style, long, fat and heavy wranglers, there are better cars for the winter. Older wranglers are short, light, and effing freezing. The only thing their 4 wheel drive does for you in the winter is keep it from being a death trap. My buddy drives his 2.5rs all winter instead of his YJ wrangler. The little subbie is 100 times better in the snow.

A cherokee is a much cheaper and safer bet for a winter beater if you want a jeep

 

I am getting tint tomorrow for the 8. My bday was yesterday and the wifey surprised me with window tint for the car. I plan on going 20% all around. I was able to pick up 4 Blizzaks for $300 in basically brand new condition! Got a steal for them and can't wait to install them. For those of you that have Tein S-Tech Springs how do you like them and the drop?

 

An 77 Chevy Impala is killer in snow. I had one as a company car one time. I drove from Cincy to Indy in at least 11" of snow and one lane all the way on 74. I lived in Indy at the time and drove back in that crap just to get laid.

 

Who's doing the tint? Let me know if they do a good job.

 

Also interested. Gonna be looking for a decent tint job myself fairly soon.

And we'll see how my all-seasons do once the snow starts. If it doesn't work, I'll just use a Ford Edge instead.

 

Moete,

I'm running s-techs. I'm happy with the drop for now. It's a bit stiffer than stock ride and handling wise, but still very comfortable. There's a noticeable difference in body roll for sure. They'll give you pretty even wheel gap all around. I've had mine for a little over 2 years.

 

Thanks everyone for the S tech input. I really don't like springs and prefer coilovers but the 8 looks so bad looking at stock height. I found a set of S techs for $135 and I am not sure if that includes shipping or not. I do not want to go too low. I think the S techs would fit with what I want to do.

Anyone want to help me install them if I get them?

I am at Quality Window Tinting (http://m.citysearch.com/wap4?app=csi...b-&trc=4335403) right now getting my tint done. This is my 6th car that I have taken to them. Great prices and I believe a lifetime warranty.

 

They are brand new.

 

Fuel was okay today. I was there in the Miata, there were also 10 A/E and a NC Miatas. No 8s to be seen.

In other news, my wife was going to the store in the 8 and had to go very slowly across the paving being done on 237. Apparently the girl behind her was in a hurry so started blowing her horn and kept on it while my wife got across the bumps (we're talking 4-5" up and down). My wife got on 237, stopped the car, got out and inquired of the girl what her problem was. Wish I could have been there!

 

Pics or the tint didn't happen, lol. Your girl will look epic with tint, it really compliments the lines of the 8 I think. Also once you get it you never want to ride in an un-tinted one again. I catch myself staring down folks and then I forget they can see me when I am not in Lucy...awkward!

 

I'm up to help install. Be wary of knock-off s-techs. 135 is a hell of a price, but just be sure they're real. Tein has a page about it on their site.

Maybe we can coordinate and do yours and redsun's c/o's at the same time.

 

Autocross was fun. I left after my runs as my ankle was acting up, so I didn't get to see Ashley run.

 

Didn't think to include this in my earlier post. Does anyone know of a good machine shop in our area? I need to get a little machining of an aluminum blank for a coolant reroute on the Miata, as well as some welding (biggest one is a temperature sensor bung on a thin walled stainless pipe). Northern KY would be preferable, but I will drive for a good place.

 

Hey Fuz I know it's a little out there but how's the 11/12 for the coilover install?

 

Show pics of the tint or it didn't happen.

How much did they charge for the tint? Just thinking what mama might get me for Christmas instead of an iTunes gift card.

 

Why does good news always have to come with bad news?

Recently took a trip down to EKU. Decided to cruise at 70 pretty much the entire way (or as much as I could get away with going by downtown). When I filled up today I found I managed to get 23.5 mpg on the trip. Which seems like an incredible figure from what I've seen.

Less than 2 miles from the gas station, I'm going up a hill and my car kicks into neutral and since my foot is on the gas, revs. Scares the crap out of me, but I throw it back in gear. Turns out any time I get on the gas in 4th, it kicks out of gear now. Hooray, I get to go see Jake Sweeney again. :/

 

You got 23.5? I wish I saw that. Of course I haven't seen much highway lately.

If you're closer to Kings, go there. Ask for Scott.

I never was impressed by Sweeney. It seems they don't even care about selling Mazdas.

 

Should work. I think i'm basically free until Turkey Day.

The only thing that might get in the way is me buying a different daily. We'll see how it all plays out. The beater goes up for sale next week.

The little escort has been great for the 8 years or so that i've owned it. I'm just ready for something different and a little nicer. It's about time that the 8 gets a rest from daily use.

If any one wants a $2000 winter beater, let me know.

 

Yeh I had a lot of fun also. I wasn't doing too well. The car kept pushing through turns and it took me until the 4th run to get my tire pressure right. But I did get roped into competing in the PAX challenge though because WOR only had 2 people show up and if I didn't drive with them they couldn't compete. Of course we got our butts thoroughly kicked, but it was fun and I did end up shaving a couple of seconds off my previous fastest time. So all in all it was a good day.

 

 

FYI the Ohio Rotaries site is up now at the new address...

http://www.ohio-rotaries.com

 

I mounted the all seasons today. Wow, took a tour of the backroads of Maineville/Pleasant Plain with the RE960 Bridgestones and noticed that they don't stick (no kidding) like the RE050's. Instead of progressive breaking away, they snap into oversteer. Well, they are a hard compound.

Still, not too bad since I have 245/40's mounted now on Enkei's for the winter. I'll probably get one more year out of the all-seasons then switch back to the RE050 until they wear out.

Wendy, I know some good tight 90 degree turns out in our neck of the woods. I should map it out.

 

When I get my winter set-up I will be curious to feel the difference - I want to drive hard and fun until then so please share all the good roads you can I know I take the road by the powder factory just so I can drift the corners

 

So what's the verdict on your ride? Hope it is nothing serious...