Many on here do not seem to mind not having a spare tire. Do you think that compressor and sealant that pretty much ruins a $200 tire will really work? Or will most just call Mazda roadside assistance? I like having the spare tire and if I need additional trunk space can always remove it and replace later as the sealant kit comes in every car. My salesman tried to tell me most tires today do not get flats but as long as big tires can get punctured by nails and other sharp objects I like the security of having a spare tire. Any thoughts?

 

I have been really thinking about getting the spare lately. Sitting and waiting for some tow truck, wincing at the thought of seeing my 8 dragged onto a wrecker, just for a flat, is nauseating. Not to mention the joy of riding shotgun, space permitting (if my family isn't with me).

I haven't had a flat tire in a long time, which leads me to believe I'm so due.

So yes, I'll be getting the spare real soon. It's about time since I got my 8 last July.

 

I plan on plugging mine myself, then using the supplied compressor to inflate the tire.

 

yeah, the plugging is the way to go. i just had a flat this past weekend. I ran over a 1 1/2 inch screw. It looked huge coming out of the tire. Anyway, as long as you dont have a blowout definiately plug it, it is just as fast as using the sealant and you dont have to replace the tire.

-JiM

 

True. Anything the sealant can fix a plug will do as well, and the plugs wont make you do a massive cleanup afterwards (and they are cheaper than a gunk refill from Mazda). I have the spare, but took it out as soon as I got the car since I only planned on using it for road trips.

 

If I only used my RX-8 for local drives, I may have been content to skip the spare, save some money, and have more trunk space. Since I make some 250 mile trips through some marginal cell phone or inhospitable areas, I decided I would rather have the donut tire option. My dealer was able to find a car with the spare tire. I think buying the spare as dealer add-on costs more than buying it from on the car from the factory.

 

I need the trunk space. I carry a plugging kit for use with the compressor. No flats yet in the RX-8 (knock on desk) but I have repaired tires this way four or five times in the past several years. The repair was quite easy, though it is not recommended in a three piece suit.

 

Those plug kits are what the tire shops do to your flat tire when you bring them in. It's a great thing to have in your car. It only takes about five minutes to plug a hole.

I just recently repaired my truck tire. Had a 5 inch long cotter pin in it...