I kept a 2nd car for winter last year, and I was bummed every day that I couldn't drive the RX-8. I think my investment in a winter wheel and tire package is well worth it. There are drawbacks to having a 2nd car. In my case, it sat in the driveway for most of the year (I got sick of seeing it there and having to maneuver around it every time I took the RX-8 out). Also, I had to scrape off snow and ice instead of taking my nice, warm, garaged RX-8 (I didn't want to leave the RX-8 exposed to the elements, and possible vandals). Twice, the battery went completely dead after months of sitting. Since I never knew when I'd be driving it again, I started disconnecting the battery after every drive. Talk about annoying.

 

I bought my Accord for $1500 last year. Runs great and is perfect for the winter. It also is convenient to haul bikes. It was cheaper than new wheels, sensors and tires and it also keeps the 8 in mint condition.

 

I kept my '93 Jeep Cherokee. It was only worth $750 or so as a trade in, cheaper than new rims and tires.

I figure on snow days I won't miss the 8's driveability very much anyway. Of course it's easy to say that now. Watch me whine when I actually have to leave her behind in the garage!

 

I'll be driving all winter long if we have one in alabama this year

 

My truck doesn't sit in the driveway most of the year -- we do a lot of home improvement projects, which means lots of trips to Home Depot and Lowe's in it.

 

If I did a Tire Rack wheel/winter tire deal without the TPMS units, would I have to listen to a tone constantly, or can I just tape over the warning light and not be bothered with it until I go back to stock?

 

I'm thinking about getting a new Hummer for really bad days.....




Why not?!? The gas mileage is about the same.

 

I HAVE to! It's my only car!
Wish me luck for this Winter. It'll be my first time with it in the winter.

 

sorry but I think this is kinda related... anyone have experience running autocrosses in winter?
I ordered a set of blizzacks but was wondering if I should bring my summer tires along to swap just for the runs? would I melt through/destroy a set of winter tires if I autocross with them in the cold??

 

That siping looks interesting. If it works it seems you could save alot of $$$$

 

It doesn't work, basically. It does change the physical traction due to the sipes, so it would in fact make a small difference - but it absolutely makes no difference on the tread compound, which is a large part of the problem, nor the overall tread pattern. High performance summer tires have tread compounds that basically turn rock hard below freezing temperature, and lose most of their 'stickyness'. Cutting little slots in the rock hard tread blocks won't change that at all.

In other words - it will make a slight improvement on a horrible in winter tire. The tire will be slightly less horrible, but nowhere near acceptable. I still wouldn't use a siped summer performance tire in the slightest amount of snow - I'd park the car where it is and take a bus, cab, whatever.

Re autocrossing WS-50s - you'll quickly destroy the tires. If you don't chunk off the tread blocks, you'll wear off the soft outer layer so fast you won't believe it!

Regards,
Gordon

 

think 2 snows on the rear is adequate?, rather than putting 4 on???
i live in pennsylvania...and i think this season is gonna be a bear(snow wise),
i have a 4x4 for back up but want to drive my 8 whenever i can.

 

not a good idea. you need steering as well. You should always keep all 4 corners shod with the same tires.

just as an idea-I've had a fulltime AWD Subaru XT6 to play around in the snow the past couple winters (sold now). I had new all-seasons put on it last January. In the snow they still had trouble getting grip. If you go into a turn too fast, even w/ AWD and all-seasons - it doesn't matter much what the rear-end is doing - you'll miss your turn. Of course, I've played in the snow with cars since I was 16 - which takes you back to 1977 and a lot of snow and an empty parking lot after all the bowlers vacated the center in a station wagon w/ rear wheel drive. Had front wheel drive, all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel drive in snow. If you don't anticipate doing a lot of snow driving with the 8 (if you have a 4WD or AWD vehicle to back up the 8) consider some inexpensive 17" rims and all-season tires-that way you can drive safer through occasional small snow amounts. I have snow tires I'll be putting on my 8 and back on the minivan for the winter again, even though the van has decent all-seasons already.

 

i live in fla..i can drive all year around..very nice actually

 

In Florida?...as long as your car can float! :D

 

OUCH!!! I don't know if I should laugh or gasp... okay, thought about it, LOL!!!! :D

 

This doesn't apply to you serious-winter easterners. But in California, they won't let you over the passes in winter unless you have 4WD AND snow tires. A two-wheel drive car has to have cables or chains. The manual says chains will damage the aluminum wheels. I am going to try to fit a pair of thin cables on and see what they look like. Supposedly they are fitted for the 225/45-18s, according to http://tirechainsrequired.com/ Has anyone tried these? If they don't work, I'll just stick with the Trooper for mountain driving this winter.

 

I would highly doubt it if they say it WON'T scratch your wheels cause there's too little profile on the 225/45 tires for the chain to mount so some part of the chain will be touching your wheels

 

No, I haven't before. I had a LS400 with lousy tires that I could drive ok...but reading this thread has definitely changed my mind. Winter tires for me...thanks all

 

Usually they will let you pass as long as you can show them that you have chains in the car. You may have to tell them that your car is equipped with Traction Control and the DSC. With those two operating as long as you aren't climbing a steep hill you should be fine with good winter tires.

 

At least in California, that works only as long as it's not snowing. If it snows, it's "chains or 4WD with snow tires." The RX is definitely not 4WD.

 

Man, reading all this stuff really makes me glad I am in SoCal where I don't have to worry about all this stuff!

 

Do you have to worry about earthquakes :D ?

rx8cited

 

Or Santa Anna's and fires?

 

Sorry, i was too lazy to read thru the whole thread, getting ready for bed. i figured i could give a good input since i spent last winter with the car in Northpole, Alaska. We drive on ice, minus the main highway, for majority of the winter, which is Sept to about Mar/Apr. I went with Dunlop winter M2's and drove the car all winter...minus the two times it dropped to -50F and i had flooding issues, haha. I kept my stock wheels, btw. --Mark