I'm going to purchase my RX-8 soon and I would rather not expose my new baby to the cold elements, salt, snow and ice freeze. What do you guys think? Is the Winter Weather something I want to avoid?

I have been thinking of simply puting my RX-8 in my garage during the Winter Weather months and purchasing a "Beater Car" during that time. Is this a bad idea?

I know there are issues like, cold starts, whether or not the RX-8 can handle the snow ( I would rather not expose the RX-8 to the snow) and deterioration of the RX-8 due to the Winter Weather elements, salt, snow and ice. WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK? LET ME KNOW.

 

I've been sloshing cars through northeast winters for 20+ years... never had a problem that I can attribute to salt, cinders, etc. No rust, etc.

With snow tires, the car is actually FUN in the snow. The weight balance, low torque, limited slip diff, stability system and traction control all work together to make it a fine snow car.

 

I have had my 8 for two winters now. As long as you get SNOW TIRES for the car it is great in the snow. The stock tires will get you in trouble fast in the snow. DO NOT DRIVE IN THE WINTER WITH THE STOCK TIRES!!!!! But if you get snows you will be more than fine.

Happy motoring!

 

Have a look thru the Canadian forum and you should get all your answers.


Lots us us drove all winter and had NO problems.

 

That is all GREAT to hear guys, however I must admit, I was hoping to get some different responses, for example, some responses that sounded like, "NO WAY," "DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT DRIVING AN RX-8 IN THE WINTER" OR "WE WOULD NEVER DRIVE OUR RX-8 IN THE WINTER" responses. I guess I'm old school and I was just planning NOT to drive my RX-8 in the winter. I have this notion in my head that if I drive my RX-8 during the winter, it will deteriorate sooner, the body might develop some rusty spots in several years or the ice and snow might lessen the brilliance of the new paint job. I guess I'm wrong...AM I WRONG?

Based on most of the responses to my initial question, the RX-8 is a fine winter car and I will have no reason not to drive it in the winter! CRAP, I was really looking forward to those mid-winter garage visits. :-)

 

The RX-8 is perfect in the winter. Better than those silly SUVs. Besides, it's loaded with goodies that make it an EXTREMELY safe car (ie TCS/DSC, 50/50 balance, good crash rating, LOWEST chance of flipping over). The other thing is that you'd probably have to shell out more moola on insurance on a beater car that potential is LESS safe.

 

Guys

I'm happy to report that the 8 is great in winter!

Mind you, my winter is a bit different to yours. Today (approaching middle of Autumn ) it's a balmy 27 degrees C and I'm feeling hot in t-shirt and shorts. :D

Remember, there's no such thing as bad weather - just your location. :D :D

Relax, just jokin' with you.

 

Spend the beater car money on MODS!!!!!

 

I have driven my 8 thru 2 winters in Buffalo NY with Pirelli snows. Never had any problems as it is tons of fun to drive in all conditons. I just got some Avon Tech M550 all weather tires which are fantastic. Check them out at Tire Rack!! I keep the 8 well waxed with NXT from Meguire's and it looks better than new. Just go buy the 8,you will have no regrets.

 

I suppose it all depends how you look at the car. Is it a car you don't mind putting through the punishing winters and using it as if it were a toyota corolla? Is it a fun car you plan on babying and using as a second car? To me this question is extremely subjective because many of on here will not use this car for that purpose, even though with proper tires it can be. I treat my rx8 like a dream car, so it will not see the effects of winter. Personally I feel this car is nice enough that you shouldn't want to put it through the strains of salt, cinders, and sand, along with all the rock chips. I got slack from friends when I bought an STI to use in winter. It is certainly more practicle in winter because even with all seasons it barrels through snow like no tomorrow. If it's your only car, then why not use it year round, and buy a carthat was meant to be driven. Some of us think it's a ferrari, but in reality it's just like any other car only nicer.

 

I don't think driving during the winter is nearly as extreme of punishment as you're making it out to be... you just need to make sure you clean the salt and road crap off every week or so. It's not like we're driving a $200k Ferrari through the Siberian tundra... it's a great year-round daily driver.

 

I use all-seasons Nov-Mar and summer tires Apr-Oct. Thought about getting a beater, but Winter driving is no problem. As far as wear and tear goes, I look at it this way... I could either:

a) drive car 12 months/year and develop some rust in 8-10 years
b) drive car 7 months/year and develop some rust in 15-20 years

I'd rather enjoy the car year-round and get another one in 6-7 years.

 

It's fine, i was worried about the same thing, just be sure your getting the salt off the car as often as you can and rust won't be a problem. Cars are made today with better paints and protection against the elements.

 

The best part about driving the 8 in the winter is turning corners - give it the gas & have some fun :D without worrying about ripping the rubber off the tires!

Seriously though, drove it all winter and no problems - only issue is if you get very deep snow and end up using your car as a plow. :o

Just make sure you get one with DSC and traction control if you're driving in winter.

 

Like others have said. No problem if you get winter tires. I got 17" rims with blizzak tires. Sticks to the road in snow. The stock tires have as slick as butter on a hot pan.

 

ARE YOU CRAZY!!!! I just got my 8 out of storage today. I sat in my garage, all covered and safe since November. When I pulled off that car cover, it was like seeing it again for the first time!!! It was clean, I mean showroom clean!!!!

Get the beater. Save the 8!!!!! Plus you can drive the beater on all rain-days. You and I will have the nicest 8s in Ohio!!!

DO NOT DRIVE IN INCLIMATE WEATHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!

 

Sorry, but in my opinion life is too short to drive crappy cars half the year.

 

Amen and hallelujah. You are so right. Besides, it gives the rubberneckers something to gawk at over the winter months.

 

Thanks for all of your input. It is a bit calming to know that the RX-8 can be a great winter car. The other thing I'm concerned about is, I'm going to purchase the Mazdaspeed bodykit, and I just can't imagine how that would look, and feel, for that matter. Imagine my Mazdaspeed bodykit, Greddy exhaust RX-8 plowing through Northeast Ohio winters. It would just feel very uncomfortable and I know there are other expenses and concerns when getting a "beater" car, but I'm planning to have atleast those two modifications on my RX-8 and, to me, it would not feel right to take this exotic-looking and sounding sports car (MS kit and Greddy EXhaust) and subject it to snow, salt, ice and freeze-overs in the winter. Having said that, do you guys think I'm out of line?

 

yes, yes you are out of line

 

I'm with you guys...why buy a nice car only to let it sit in a garage?...It makes no sense.

 

Yeah...drive the chit out of it, yo! :D

I don't think salt is even used in Calgary, is it rotten? We just have to worry about flying rocks.

 

I'd like to use my 8 as a winter beater and buy a new C6. :D

 

My 8 is my winter car.

 

Ok forgive me for my horrible bias. I have an STI as my winter car, and that thing took a royal beating this winter. Thank god I did not use the RX8. From the constant snow storms here, with ice, slush, sand and cinders laid down, the STI has seen it's first winter, and it was far from friendly. I guess since i drive in snow during LONGGG commutes, I see a brunt of it. The cinders that trucks kicked up chipped and scratched the front of STI, I was hosing it down every other day from the rock salt on it, and the finish on the rims seems to have taken a nice hit as well. I suppose if you don't suffer snow and ice every other day, and drive long distances, why not. Not for me though. That's why I got the STI, and it's one hell of a beater winter car if you asked me. I can handle it getting beat up, but not the RX8, because that's be BABY.