How does this car handle in the snow???
 

ANybody live on the east coast and getting hit hard by this blizzard??? How is your RX-8 holding up in the snow???

I'm thinking with the RWD it must be a bit treacherous.

I think RWD only contributes to the problem. Almost all my cars have had 50/50 weight distribution. The RX-8 is no exception. I can tell you, though this configuration exhibits the best dry handling capabilities --- it also is the worst combination in slippery conditions. It's the price we must pay. Having chains or snow tires on all 4 will help... but it'll never be as good as a front heavy, understeering, vehicle in the snow.

No need for chains, sand bags in the trunk, etc. I've lived in New England my whole life and have driven my Miata (also 50/50 weight dist) for 6 years in this crappy weather. As long as the car has good snow tires, you should do fine. You cannot drive like it's 85 and dry out, go easy and you should be ok.

I bought some Kazera wheels and 17" Pirelli snow tires and have had no issues getting around in the snow. The DSC has kicked in multiple times, but has helped when needed. The 8 will got well in this weather, just get some snow tires!!

Re: How does this car handle in the snow???
 

For cryin out loud, people - there's been RWD cars for centuries that have been driving around in winter. There's been performance RWD cars for decades that have been driving around in winter. There's been RX-8s for months that have been driving around in winter conditions. Maybe you should do a simple search? Like for 'winter tires' or winter wheels', which would turn up now dozens of threads discussing driving our RX-8s in winter.

I've been preaching here for months now about this - see this thread First test of RX-8 in snow - it's great!. I put winter tires on a separate set of wheels, and the car indeed does handle beautifully on snow.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE TIRES. On proper winter tires, the RX-8 does just fine. On high performance summer tires, like ANY other vehicle on high performance summer tires, the RX-8 is useless and dangerous. It's the tires. There are now several threads in the past day or two from people who didn't believe the warnings, tried to drive the car on snow, and found themselves stuck on flat ground or sliding all over. It's the tires. If you have the OEM high-performance summer tires on your RX-8 and it snows, just leave it parked where it is and take a cab, bus, bum a ride, anything rather than drive the car. If you can get the car moving, you'll have great difficulty getting it to stop or turn. You WILL hit something, curb or another vehicle, and bodywork and suspension repairs are far more expensive than a cab ride or two.

If you know you'll see snow more than a few days each winter, then invest in proper winter tires. Again, the RX-8 handles just fine in snow WITH PROPER WINTER TIRES.

Regards,
Gordon

Re: Re: How does this car handle in the snow???
 

So are seasonal tires ok ???

I'm probably going to buy this car in AT so I really don't need performance tires.

Re: Re: Re: How does this car handle in the snow???
 

The problem is that the car comes with very poor snow performing tires. For this reason, it make sense to buy a pair of snow tires and an extra set of rims to put them on.

All very true, i was not ignorant of the fact that it needed snow tires, more or less a good excuse to work at home ( web designer )....the RX8 sucks with the oem tires, and asks for an accident. Well...unless you drive at 15 like I had to the other day ( still slid though )

PS, just to address this point - an RX-8 on snow tires will be significantly better than your front heavy, understeering, all-season-tire shod vehicle in the snow. FWD doesn't do anything for braking or turning, it still comes down to the interface between vehicle and ground - the tires. An AWD car on summer tires is still useless, and several people here have confirmed that from their own experience. If you put an RX-8, Honda Accord, and Subaru Legacy on identical winter tires, you might see them ranked AWD/FWD/RWD for capability. However, most Legacy and Accord owners just stick with the OEM all-season tires, significantly limiting their winter capability. An RX-8 on winter tires will be a better vehicle on snow than an Accord or Legacy on all-seasons. The AWD Legacy might still move away from a stop better, but the RX-8 would do much better on corners and braking.

Winter conditions demand winter tires, no matter what you drive (Appropriate speed for conditions are also essential, of course). All-season tires are simply a poor compromise, winter and summer.

Regards,
Gordon

Face it, Gord, you and I are the only ones left who remember the RWD world. Bias-ply tires, everyone getting their jack out after the first frost to put the snows on, and that rusted hole in the floor that was just Chevrolet's way of telling you when it was time to buy a new car.

Ah, those were the days.

I must say, though, that new-fangled TCS comes in handy at glazed-over intersections. In fact, that alone makes the RX-8 the best car that I've ever driven in snow.

Agree to a point. That is, snow tires will take away the danger (an absolute necessity in this car).

50/50 weight distribution means that this car can change directions quickly. Go play in an empty snow covered parking lot. Take a Minivan (say the Caravan) and just try to slide the thing. Takes a lot of effort. Take a 50/50 weighted car... you'll be sliding in no time. Quick change in direction works well on dry pavement. On slippery pavement, the quick change in direction is more than the average driver bargained for. Though, if you like to practice your 4-wheel drifts - it's great!

You made my point already. Those people driving an Accord (or other front heavy FWD car) are not thinking about snow tires right now (nor may some - ever). Those driving the 50/50 weight distributed cars better already be on them (in snow inflicted areas).

It works both ways - once sliding, see how quickly that Minivan driver is able to recover (stop the vehicle FROM sliding). Then see how quickly a sports car (on winter tires) can recover. There's nothing magical - good handling is good handling. The relative responses are the same on dry pavement as on snow.

Regards,
Gordon

Nice... I might think of that later on.

I dont see any snow tyre in Australia just because there is no snow in the city. Is it bad to have snow tyre in normal tarmac at around 13-15 degree C?

What snow tyres do you recommand in US?

i live in pa and we got about 5 inches of snow. i pulled out of my driveway got stuck for 15 min and pulled right back into my driveway. the tires absolutely suck in the snow. i can say that they are exceptional in dry and wet conditions, but in the snow they are useless. i've had BFG KDW's on my other cars and they are just as bad in the snow. i'll save the rx8 for nicer weather. until then, the 4runner will do.