I turn off the DSC too in deeper snow. I get better traction from dead stops but the back end will slide out more easily. It's easy to control though and is fun because this car has such good balance. Just got to be in tune with rwd behavior in snow. My snow tires are great in most snow falls but I found wet deep snows over 5 inches is best not to drive in this car. Wet snow packs easy and rear tires slide all over the ice ruts caused by the front tires and other cars. Over all it's not bad in snow if you know how to drive rwd. Make sure you have snow tires on the car and you will be happy.

 

I have all seasons (because I'm too cheap to have two sets of wheels and tires) and I'm fine in MN snow. Unless you're going to drive in tons of snow all the time all seasons work fine. I don't autoX though, so they're fine for me in the summer too.

 

The point of Winter tires has a lot to do with Outside Temp. not snow traction(altho important)

As temperatures drop, All season tires will *loose* its effectiveness, starting around 60 degrees F, and if it hits 30, you're petty much running nothing but a hard piece of rubber, not as bad as Summer compound of course. but meh

 

Yeah, it's -14 F today in Minneapolis. My car is not a fan.

 

Yes Razz1 my wife knows that I plan on racing with it. She just bought herself a new Nissan Altima and she knows that I really want to replace my 5 series. I will be going to drive a brand new one on Saturday so we will see how it all goes.

 

its almost the best autox car you can get in the bone stock class. but if you really love auto, should get a miata and mess with the setup a little its great. but rx8 owns in autox

 

The only problem with a Miata is the fact that I spend a lot of time in the gym so im 6foot tall and weigh about 240lbs. Personally I can't see myself climbing in and out of a Miata...or fitting.

Oh, on the way home yesterday I stopped at a Nissan dealership and test drove a 350Z. I have to say that I would take my '99 528i over that thing any day of the week, am I the only one that thinks that thier manual tranny feels like trash? (No, I am not saying that they are junk and will not hold up just that they feel very stiff and unrefined.)

 

Very few cars have shifters that are as refined as the 8...

Drove a few other manual transmission cars, including an STI. Nothing feels "right".

 

Magazines consider the 3 best mass produced manual transmissions in the world are, in order: (1) s2000's, (2) new miata's, (3) RX8's. All three are Aisin.

Sounds like you think the miata is too small and feminine looking for you. At 6', 240, I don't see why you wouldn't fit a miata.

 

isnt the transmission in the cayman an aisin as well?

also bmw, you arent the only person who has said the 350z is sloppy. the m coupes look drop dead sexy. i need the 4 seats though, or i probably would have bought a coupe like the z3 m.

 

The rx-8 is a "drivers" car alright. From the clutch feel to the shifter feel; you feel very in sync with the car. The response from the steering (and overall the car itself) is great. This car is a great track/auto-x car. The rx-8 is a very refined, fun, unique sports car.

 

During Mazda's Zoom Zoom Live, I got to test drive a current model Miata on an autocross course. I'm 6' 2" and 240 lbs. I fit fine in the car and had no difficulty maneuvering the car. Earlier models of the car I wouldn't fit in. My head was over the windshield and my eyes were level with the top of the frame.

 

I may have to try out one of those little miata's while I am there. I guess that I just had the old body styles in mind because I know that I will not fit in those.

 

One my other car is a 330ci. I feel sleepy driving it compared to my RX-8 which currently is on a semi-hibernation from winter. I don't think there's any modern BMW that is as light-footed and well balanced as the rx-8. Even my friend's e46 m3felt brutish compared to the rx8. Maybe the upcoming 3500lb 1-series?