Wizerud

I've been browsing the forums for a week or two now since I started seriously thinking of getting an 8. Well, Saturday I bit the bullet and drove the 120 miles to Roseville, CA and traded in my Mazda 3 for a gorgeous '07 Touring edition in Stormy Blue Mica

I thought about getting the GT edition but after having leather in my '06 3 GT I much prefer good old-fashioned cloth

You don't see too many RX-8's here in Reno. I've already had a few random "that car is badass" comments in the few days I've had it from mysterious people at gas stations in addition to co-workers.

A few observations I've made in the short time I've had it. The shifter reminds me of my old '99 Miata (this is my third consecutive Mazda). I was hoping it would be fairly close in precision to the one in that wonderful car and I was very pleasantly surprised.

For some reason, I think the sound system in my Mazda 3 was superior. It's not a huge complaint and it might have something to do with the fade setting (which I have at a neutral 0) but it just seems more tinny with less bass. Has anyone else compared the two?

Gas mileage has not been great so far, probably around 16-17 mpg, but I was kind of preparing myself for that. Ultimately, and I know no-one would complain about better efficiency but if gas mileage is a huge priority this is probably the wrong car to own. I do hope that it does get a little better as the car breaks in. Right now I have 400 miles on it.

I absolutely love the color. It really is quite stunning for such a dark tint.

I'm trying very hard not to go over 4-5k rpm during the break-in period. The most I've had it up to so far was a one-off blast up to 6k rpm in second gear this evening. Makes me want to drive the car more to get past the break-in period quicker!

I have a couple of questions for now, and undoubtedly will have more in the future as I get to know the car better. I used to, quite irresponsibly maybe, drive my Miata in snowy conditions on its stock tires as well as Toyo all-weathers which I got later in that cars ownership. It wasn't completely terrible, I was just VERY careful. In your opinion, is the RX-8 worse, better or about the same in terms of handling in snowy conditions than the Miata?

Now, I do plan on getting snow tires for next season, but I'm really hoping I can make it through the early part of this year without having to plop down $600 or whatever for a set of them now. We shouldn't have many more snowy periods here this season, if at all, unless we're unlucky. And when it does snow we very rarely get more than six inches.

What are your opinions on the stock Bridgestone Potenzas that the car came with in dry and wet conditions?

Anyway, the above is just a long, rambling way of saying hello. So, hello

Detrich

congrats and welcome to the club. post some pix of the new 8 when u get a chance. we've all gone thru similar exp joining up here. so, don't feel alone and jump right in the madness.

as far as snow tires goes- i'll defer to our east coast/ northern region members to answer that, as i live in southern cali and don't really have that issue. personally i think the stock potenzas are pretty good for the climate here. but, die hards will for sure tell u to upgrade to something better.

great color choice btw.

CarAndDriver

Welcome and post pics!

Stock Potenzas are great in the dry, slick in the wet and dangerous in the snow and ice.

dbright007

Welcome!
I want a stormy blue - beautiful color!
I live in the deep south, and was terrified of everything I had heard about the stock tires and even a pinch of snow. Even a light rain here and the Bridgestones got squirrely. They are awesome in dry warm weather, but if I were you, I wouldn't move that car an inch in snow on the Bridgestones.
Am on Toyo now (still summer tires) and much better in the wet.

Either sit out the snow you might get, or get the snow tire set now. Don't risk that pretty car. Just do a search on snow. The stock potenzas are regarded on this site as an accident waiting to happen in icy/snowy condintions. You might as well be on slicks. And that is in less than an inch.

reaper1

The stock suck on wet and snowy roads. Winter is over so I wouldn't worry now. Gas is not going to get any better. I also had the Mazda 3, I traded in for the 8 too. Now I don't know what system you have but the 8 sound way better, than the 3 to me. By the way welcome.

enforcer

can you post a photo?

TimzSI

congrats. I recently bought an 07, and was deciding between stormy mica and phantom blue. I went phantom. :p But post up some shots asap anyway!

Opethdtr

Super Congrats! In the end this car will ultimatly become part of your soul! Bridgestone stock tires are ok. Just take it easy when it rains. Most people average around 10k to 15k on the stock tires but it depends on how hard your drive or how often. Descent tires run around 150 nowadays. Post picks ASAP!

NoTears316

congrats

Mendossa

Congrats for your new acquisition!

I suppose you had the chance to take a test drive mule to 9k? If not you're in for a pleasant surprise soon!

saturn

Don't you mean "good job"?

djkrazy

welcome to the club .... i would tell you by personally experience that driving that 8 without snow tires in the winter ... you are driving a death trap

New Yorker

Welcome to the 8! I had a Miata before mine, and two before that one. The Miata did pretty well—and was fun—in the snow with winter tires, but I'd say that 8 is a little better, probably because of the traction control. Here's what edmunds.com said in their long term test:

"Those who have to deal with slippery driving conditions will benefit from the RX-8's perfect 50/50 weight balance and available traction/stability control system. Throw a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks on this baby and you should be able to handle most anything winter throws your way."

My OEM Potenzas have been very good in the dry and "not bad" in the wet.

Have fun!

MogWV

The stability/traction control really is a huge help in the winter. That combined with a good set of snow tires (I have Dunlop Wintersport M3s) should get you through whatever winter throws at you. You still have to be more careful with it since it's RWD and has some power, though. The traction control got me safely up and down a few hills this winter that had the usual FWD sedans spinning like mad.

cquinn

I don't have any experience driving the 8 in snow with stock tires, but with snow tires you will not have to worry at all. The only thing you might have to worry about is driving through snow that is too deep and scooping it into the radiator inlet in the bottom of the front bumper. If it doesn't snow too much where you live, then you might consider keeping it parked on days it snows rather than investing in snow tires.

Galen_Darkmoon

^ to true. Spend ya money on a beater instead of snow tires and wheels. Our RX8 will never see a day in the snow, unless you just can't live without driving this wonderful sports car in snow, salt and sand. While my 75 ford van is a rusted POS it handles any snow and won't plow snow and ice and tear off the underbody pan "see another thread for those pics" and I pity anyone who runs into it.

speeddemon32

Wizerud, congrats on the new purchace. your gona love it!

one thing though. its nice to see that you are patient enougn to break in your car..... but I have a little good news... (and a little to late news). Your Mazda RX-8 came broken in from the factory. you are able to "romp on it" right now. (if you dont belive me read your owners manual in the glove box, or ask anyone on this forum)

anyways, congrats. hope you enjoy. :D

New Yorker

Racing Beat's take on break-in. Go here…

http://www.racingbeat.com/FRmazda4.htm

…and then click "How to Break-in Your New RX-8".

dmc27

congrats. 1k will come pretty quick, and the break in Q does seem to generate several opinions.

Stock Potenzas are just ok. don't drive like a d-bag in the rain and you'll be fine, and don't drive it at all on them if you're getting snow.

jarnone xo

congrats, post a picture sometime =]

DarkBrew

Congrats on the car and welcome to the club!

Winter tires for sure even if you never drive in snow. Summer performance tires turn to hockey pucks below about 40 degrees F. Combine that with night time wet conditions and you have a dangerous situation. (I speak from experience)

TheKDog

Congrats, Stormy Blue is a cool color. I almost went with Blue with the Sand interior.

Shinka-Dono

Welcome and congrats. Stormy Blue is a good thing.

RotaryP7

Grats, I myself have a '07.. What else can I say.. Enjoy it.

fitz75

congrats from a fellow 3 and 8 owner... I've had both rx8s and 3s' and the sound system in the 3 sounds alot better.

anyway I got caught in unexpected snowfall a week ago w/stock tires and could not make it up an incline to my house. Had to have my fiance meet me and take her the rest of the way home - he shut off the tsc - he can handle the car better without it.

I was in a bad accident w/an ex boyfriend who flipped his 98 trans am on I 80, so it has kind of scarred me of driving in the snow w/rwd. Hopefully i'll gain the experience of handling rwd through winters through fellow 8 owners here and listening to my fiance now and then...