joe

Any thoughts on the best configuration for NE winter driving? I'm guessing that going for the stability/traction control option (18" wheels) is the better bet than the base (automatic) model with 16" wheels and no stability/traction control.

For snow tires: Possibly 17" steel wheels would work as a winter substitute for the 18" alloys - but I'm not sure who would know with 100% certainty. Alternatively, a quick check at Tirerack did show Blizzak's available for the 18" wheels.

From Tirerack: "Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 for your 2004 Mazda RX8 - Size 225/45VR18 $211/ea"

Hercules

I'd probably just keep the Zs on year round... I had 18" Z rated tires on my Millenia this past winter and while I had to be more careful.... there wasn't a thing I couldn't get out of.

Snow in Jersey at least, is cleaned in about a day. So if you can't get out... then probably nobody can. In which case it's useless to argue about the fact you need snow tires :P

Speed Racer

Joe I have been thinking about the same thing and just wanted to say that I have had the best results in New Hampshire winters running winter tires on the smallest/narrowest wheels that are appropriate for the car. I plan on buying a fully loaded RX-8 before the end of the year and according to Mazda's press kit we will be able to use 17" wheels for winter use which should be a fair compromise when paired with the traction/stability control. If you happen to live in an area that gets a fair amount of snow I would recommend the Blizzak WS-50 over the LM-22 because the tread pattern is a little more aggressive and it has a better compound for harsh winter driving.

Quote from Mazda press kit:
"The Sports Suspension specification car with 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels is equipped with raceproven 17-inch (rotor outer diameter: 323 mm [12.7 in]) ventilated front discs, assuring plenty of active disc diameter. The disc rotor has more ribs than that used on the previous RX-7, fiercely resisting fade. The choice of a 17-inch rotor size for the 18-inch wheels was determined in consideration of owners using studless tires in harsh winter conditions. (Owners will be able to fit 17-inch studless tires, the size most readily available.)"

VWjet

Winter tires on this bad boy will be a necessity. Steelies are the way to go, especially with the roads falling apart in Detroit after the first snowfall.

joofntool

your best investment for the winter?

maybe look into a 1000$ beater

ACRX8

I have thesame problem living outside of Philly Pa. Do they make a 18" all season tire??

Ahura

Personally, I'm going to buy another set of wheels and tires for my RX-8. There is no way Z-rated tires can make it in the snow. I got caught out in the snow in my RX-7 with my summer tires still on (I think it was sometime in November). I was all over the place. Most scariest thing was that I couldn't stop. Snow tires make a ton of difference and are worth the extra money. In some of the big snowfalls last winters, I was out-accelerating 4WD's and AWD's on uphills with about a few inches on the ground. But this is central PA and the drivers here are so slow. The only car that I couldn't keep up with was an Audi S6 going up a mountain when it was snowing pretty heavily. But that was expected. Even when there was 10" on the side streets (middle of the President's Day storm), the 7 plowed its way through. But most importantly, you can stop and turn on a dime with snow tires. Oh yeah, I had the 195/65R15 Yokohama Guardrex 700's on my RX-7.

Rotaries are great in the snow. Even though they're RWD, the no low-end torque plays into your advantage. Just keep it below 2000-2500rpm and you're fine. And the RX-8 will probably be unbeatable in the snow with its LSD, traction control and a set of snow tires.

Calibus

Who makes a snow tire in the 225/45/18
size other then from Tire rack at 211 a pop