Metallicamasta

Hello there. My name is Kris (age 18, NJ). I am thinking about buying a new car for myself,
and I happen to be crazy about the RX-8, but the thing is my Dad is complaining
so much that it is rear wheel drive (since he drove a rear wheel for nine years
and he says its horrible in the snow which i can't argue). The fact that rear
wheel drive is extremely bad in the snow is the only reason why he doesn't want
me to get this car. However I did read another person's comment where they said
that in the snow, its not the type of car that it is that matters. Its what
kind of tires you get that matters. I wanted to ask you if you got the different snow tires, was your car moving (rear swinging etc.) at all to the point where you couldn't really control it? Or to the point where you would consider it to be unsafe for a young guy like me? ( I mean in the winter). Would you think that purchasing this car (and possibly getting those tires later on for the winter) would be a bad idea for the whole situation that I am in? Can you please help me out? Thanks alot.

Ike

As long as you get dedicated winter tires and some wheels to go with it you will be fine. The question is, can you afford or are you willing to spend money on an extra set of wheels with some winter tires on em (you're looking at $1000-$1500 for some cheap alloys and tires)?

Honestly, an inexperienced driver in a RWD car with a decent amount of HP in winter isn't a very good idea. So your dad is probably right to be concerned. But if you use some common sense and get the right tires it's certainly doable.

Stavesacre21

tires definetely would help the situation, but ike is right to an extent. The difference between RWD and FWD really is a learned-from-experience kinda thing. The one thing that you might hear from others that could possibly help a little would be DSC/traction control. Although it shouldn't be depended upon primarily for control, it certainly wouldn't hurt the situation!

swoope

iTrader: (5)

first thing i would recomend is you delete your mutiple posts....

after that... for a everyday driver in ny state. no... but ike is right with dedicated snow tires it can be done....

for the same money you can get the mazspeed 6... all wheel drive... sell you dad on that...

but i have to admit..... at age 18. i would get a mazda 3. and learn how to drive...

find a local racing school. or driving school...

good luck.

beers

Metallicamasta

Ok cool thanks...Well.....I've been driving for two years....and I am a very good driver...so i'm not TOO inexperienced haha...And I am very careful...Thanks for the advice

swoope

iTrader: (5)

the big hint was delete your multiple posts..

yes you are a excellent driver...

beers

BoosTED

iTrader: (2)

Swoope you crack me up. Reminds me of Rainman...

I have said this before but don't mind saying it again with the tires I have on my 8 for the winter (Dunlop M3 Winter sport) the car has been the easiest to drive of all the cars I have driven during the winter. From what I have heard Blizzaks do quite well also.

Main reason for ease is the traction and stability control. This is somewhat critical if planning to drive in snow and cold conditions.

limepro

when i lived in mass i was driving an 86 monte carlo didnt have money at the time for snow tires and i did fine with the snow tires and traction control u should be fine i had some fun times in my old car in the snow =D

Mazdaspeed RX8 ver2

a mazdaspeed 6 wouldnt be a bad choice though in your situation. awd is a good thing for snow. and if you're looking for room, ms6. if you're looking for speed with awd, evo or impreza. Many choices, just find out which one suites you best.

Paul_in_DC

I think your father is being overly protective. Rear-wheel drive cars are definitely not "extremely bad" in the snow if you know how to drive competently. Yes, with a front-wheel-drive car, it's easier to stay out of trouble when driving in the snow. But if you drive with a bit of caution and common sense, the rear-wheel drives do just fine.

You can't use the OEM tires that come on the car to drive in snow. They're summer performance tires, and they turn into hockey pucks on snow. If you get decent snow tires and swap them before the first snowfall you'll be fine. It's cheaper to put them on the same rims, although for the sake of convenience you could also buy a second pair of wheels just for the snow tires.

Do like a lot of us did when we were teens... When it snows, take your car to an empty parking lot and spin it around a few times to get the feel for the handling. That way you'll have a better idea for where the car's limits are. Best of luck!

Paul_in_DC

ps - I have the Dunlop Winter Sport M3 as well. Terrific snow tires. Below is a comparison of Performance Winter tires at The Tire Rack. The Dunlops rated #1 on the list. At $178.00 each, they're not a bad price either.

DailyDriver2k5

We were all GREAT drivers at that age, as most of us thought.......NOT .

Likewise in your case, you need more wheel time with a RWD car, its a totally diffrent beast from a FWD car. Before you get into trouble , because" you think your a great driver", why don't you participate in a performance driving school and get some serious time behind a RWD car. It would be the best 250 bucks you ever spent, and you will learn driving skills that will last wth you for a life time.

Asmoran

18+RX-8+snow=wreck

Torchmonkey

driving two years = good driver? Yeah, I've heard that one before.

StewC625

Driving 2 years makes you too inexperienced.

If you are paying for your own car (i.e. daddy is not paying), then buy what you want.

I personally think the RX-8 is not likely the car for you ...

ALP22

I have to disagree on the mazda 6 comments... All Wheel Drive means exactly that - DRIVE. i.e. all 4 wheels will work to get the car moving and keep it moving, but when it comes to stopping, you have exactly the same amount of braking power as a regular 2WD car. All wheel drive does not equal better braking, and it often means worse due to the extra weight of the transmission.

I think in terms of safety, stopping distances, and general handling, an 8 with snow tires plus DSC is equal if not better to an AWD car with all-season tires.

unpocoloco

It can be true, folks. Given a certain number of people that have been driving for two years, some of them ARE going to be good drivers. Geez, there's always such skepticism. Not entirely without reason - you're probably just playing the odds, but I'm tired of seeing young drivers get auto-bashed (no pun intended) just because they are young.

One thing to consider is, it can be kind of fun to have a beater car at that age for different reasons. First of all, with the money saved, you can get a kick-*** sound system. And another for your home. And a sweet microfiber La-Z-Boy (so comfortable). And...(etc) Also, you can treat your car like crap and not worry about it. In addition, others can treat your car like crap and you don't have to worry about it. The finance thing is something to really consider, as the RX-8 has higher maintance costs than many other cars (partly because it just does, and partly because we all take especially good care of our 8's!)

Umbra

What part of the country are you in and how much snow are we talking about? I mean realistically around here in WI we get a lot of snow but there are only a handfull of days the roads are that bad.

If you do go with an RX-8 get the traction control and replace the tires with all weather tires and you should be ok.

Personally though if it's a car you have to drive all year I would get something else. Your going to spend a fortune in gas alone much less another set of tires.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I'm from Chicago and have driven the RX8 through 2 winter seasons now. The only time I had a problem was the first season and I tried to use the original Bridgestone summer tires. Just a little snow, even a dusting, and the car will not move. I immediately installed All-Season tires on the car and have never had a problem since. Just like any car, you still have to adjust your driving for the weather conditions.

BTW: Asmoran's signature is "*Disclaimer - I make stuff up"

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

You're right about the braking part. but wrong about the traction part.

The reason is that AWD will always get more traction than any 2WD car has to offer. When you comparing both with Winter tyres on.

Of course, with enough skills and the right tyres, the 8 do just fine in snow. (hey, Im in NY and I can live with All season, so I think u'll be fine, if u're getting the 8)

khtm

Read the Canadian forum...we know what snow *actually* is and there's tons of people who have driven their 8s (with SNOW TIRES) through three winters now with no problems.

Just make sure you get DSC/TCS, because it's very helpful in shitty weather.

lourx8

Former A4'er

2 winters on snow tires in Colorado and I haven't had any problems. Snow tires are a must if you are planning on driving in the snow.

w0rm

The Summer tires the car comes with make the car impotent in inclement weather.

As far as RWD goes, if you get the a package with TSC/DSC traction controls, it will take care of you.

dillsrotary

i'm in NJ as well, our snow removal is pretty well suited and does clear major highways and roads by the next day except for of course major major storms. go for all season tires, but mainly if you don't have to drive it in the snow then don't, most jobs (you being 18) won't care if you don't show up for work with 4 to 6 inches of snow on the ground, so just wait it out indoors.