Would you take the 8 skiing?
 

I'll be going skiing e.g. in 2 weeks for a weekend to Tahoe, that's 500 miles roundtrip.

Now I'm unsure if I should take the RX-8 or rent a car. With my previous car (Firebird with folding cloth backseat), it was no problem.

I'm a little worried that snow-covered muddy ski will ruin the nice leather backseats, since there's only this little space in the middle.
Not to talk about other dirt tracked in.

Also a little rental car might save $20 on gas and it'd keep 500+ miles off my ODO.

Also I might need new snow chains for the 8 on highway 50..

What do you think?

-Peter

IMO I would take a rental or friends ride

I will take a rental. RX8 will impress the heck out of everyone there including all the female snowboarders. But remember the 8 is not a SUV. It should not be loaded with all the gears or my biggest heartache: the road condition.

Once my idiotic friend said "It's an RX8 for godsake, you paid 33k and it needs warmup?" Yep, I was sticking to warm up for 5 min every morning. It's an RX8 all right, it's not an invicible car.

rental!

Get a rental this car with stock tires will not go in the snow. Besides why get all the salt and dirt on the car. Mine is going to be parked most of the winter in the heated garage where it belongs. I don't drive it if the forcast is rain.

Um, since it's my only car, I got to take it in the rain, but you've got a point there on the salt. Did I mention my RX-8 is black?

What a unanimous [sp?] vote! Everybody would get the rental!

Thanks, guys... helped me

As RX8by said - with stock tires, you have to avoid snow like the plague (see threads about winter tires or snow tires for more details). Aside from that - I put winter tires and wheels on my 8, and it goes great in the snow. I plan to take it skiing to Lake Louise regularly this winter.

Regards,
Gordon

First of all, if you are taking your own car, GET A SKI BAG !!!! Alway bag your ski before sticking them back in the car !!! That will save you from dirtying up your car. The other thing is, you definitely NEED snow tires if you are going up there. I've been there a couple of times, it is not too bad if you have a regular front wheel drive car with All Seasons tires but I think you will definitely have trouble with the RX-8 and its Summer tires.

Anyhow, have fun ! which resorts are you hitting ?

If you are taking your 8, you'll will snow tires. Otherwise, take the rantal.:)

I live on the SF Peninsula, and also will be hitting up Tahoe soon.

What's a good place for rental? Just Hertz/Avis/whatever? Can you request one with snow tires and/or chains?

Last year I did Squaw Valley and it was awesome. What other places do you guys recommend?

See you all up there!!

Rental.

I have been at Tahoe with 8 feet of snow overnight... Opt for the rental and I would suggest extra for the full configured SUV. Plenty of room for your snow-bunny/buddy in the back too! Have fun. ;)

Here's my update. I called Enterprise and I'll get a Chevy Metro for $9.99 a day, that'd include 300 miles. I'll be going 500 miles, so I pay a little more.. $14.99 with 600 miles included.

That's $45 + tax for 3 days = $50 total.

I heard that the Metro gets 50 mpg, if that's true, then I'll be using 10 Gallons (versus 25 Gallons in the RX-8) .. which saves 15*1.80 = $27 in gas money.

Looks like renting that car will cost me only about $23!!! Total nobrainer!

And I won't need to buy new snow chains. And no worries about snowboarders denting my car with their equipment. I think this is actually the best part of driving someone else's car..

Now, driving 500 miles in a Metro might be a different story. I've never been in one. I predict that I will be looking forward to my RX-8 on the whole trip :-)

I would say retal also, I don't like the idea of taking my brand new $30K car up there if I were you, try getting those cheap mini suv such as Mazda Tribute those will save you money on gas and they are cheaper then the real suv, thats what I did when I go up there with my friends

I would say retal also, I don't like the idea of taking my brand new $30K car up there if I were you, try getting those cheap mini suv such as Mazda Tribute those will save you money on gas and they are cheaper then the real suv, thats what I did when I go up there with my friends

If you've got experience enough with snow it's a non-issue. Personally, my concern would be with some clown up there who can't drive in the snow plowing into you and causing some serious heartache. Eat it - go with the rental and just enjoy the trip with some peace of mind.