Hey guys! I'm checking out an RX-8 for a second car (getting something fun before kids arrive...), and I'm wondering how bad it is to drive in the winter. I've heard it's fine with snow tires, but I just want to get some opinions about owning an RX-8 in CT. Thanks!

 

I've driven mine in the winter for the past two winters and its been fine. i make sure i warm it up well enough before i drive it, try not to drive it in a good amount of snow. I do have blizzaks that do help with the snow as well, but i only drive in the snow when necessary. If I were you I'd keep my car inside, I don't have that option but i wish i did. I think thats about it. oh and don't drive as spirited as you would during warmer seasons, and if you're driving in the snow you have to really control how much you accelerate (preferably slow lol).

this is just wat i do idk if others do different

btw you might want to invest in some windshield wiper fluid that has ice melting chemicals in it. the one i have in rite now has that, rain x makes it and its orange

 

mine is used as my DD and has been just fine the last few years. i swap each winter to my blizzaks sitting on stock wheels and back to my 5zigens in the spring. i've had no issue with any of the snow but you must be on winter tires. as rotor gunnin' it said, take it easy as you would with any car and don't be stupid and the 8 will treat you just fine.

 

That's great news! I'm perfectly fine driving in the snow in a normal car, so it sounds like I'll be fine... I was planning on getting winter tires anyway.

 

if you hurry now, looks like there's a really good in the FS section of this NE forum

 

I've driven mine in every winter except for the 2004-2005 winter as I didn't have snow tires yet. The OEM tires are worthless in snow or rain below 38F in my opinion, and we are already seeing temperatures that low in the morning and overnight, so the OEM tires need to be put away. Other than that, I find it easy to drive. To me, it's no different than driving my old '83 FB and if anything, it's easier. The only caveat is that if you get stuck in slush, you probably want to temperarily disengage the traction control to prevent either glazing the clutch or stalling the engine while it's still warming up.

 

^ which reminds me - getting a model that has TC/DSC definitely helps.

 

My only snow trouble so far over the border in Corruption Island was when it simply got too deep and I was snowplowing, until I was bodily lifted off the "road" by snow packed underneath. With snow tires, as long as you have clearance, you are good to go. One reason I haven't put much thought or desire into lowing my 8.

And add heated seats to the TC/DSC must-haves, since it probably won't cost you much extra, if anything extra at all, to find a GT over a base/touring.