settle this argument for me....
 

first off, it's a stupid argument. i will admit it. but i still want to hear what you guys have to think.


it started out this summer, i live in ohio, and i heard from many people that i NEED to get blizzak ws70's for the winter. so i did some research, and found that i should probably get them. during this time, i emailed a guy at tirerack.com asking him about a couple different all-season tires and winter tires, and he said "I always tell my clients that I would feel safer in a rear wheel drive car with snow tires on than a all-wheel drive vehicle with all season tires." that's what finally convinced me to buy some in a couple of weeks.

today i was talking about it with my friend (we're in highschool, so i apologize if you think we're immature). i told him what the sales-rep said to me, and he said i was absolutely "crazy" and "full of shit". he said that there is no way what the guy said was true, and let me tell you, i was pissed off. i had been researching the subject for the last 3 months, and he comes in and calls me a liar pretty much.

now i would like to ask some of you members here with experience driving with winter tires on your rx8's, does it not make a huge difference? would you agree with the sales-rep, or with my friend?


i appreciate your feedback.

Winter tires are a significant difference. All-season tires got me stuck going to work on an up-hill off ramp; I switched to winter tires after that and it was a thing of the past.

or, you can read the stickies in the "wheel" froum and find that answers you're looking for... ;)

Winter tires are superior to all-season. However, all-season are all that I use even here. But, I live and work in the suburbs where the roads are quickly cleared. If you are rural and drive constantly on snow covered roads, that wouldn't be ideal.
Winter tires wear much faster too. You are only likely to get two season out of a set.

The WS70's are considered studless ice & snow tires while the LM60's are considered standard winter/snow tires. My reason in saying this is that the WS70's will perform well in actual snow, beyond the performance of a standard "winter tire."

You are right and your friend is incorrect. Ask him this - while driving 40mph if one has to suddenly stop, which will stop quicker - RWD car on dedicated snow tires or an AWD car on all-seasons?

I have the WS70s, and let me tell you, i was getting insane looks when I was passing some smaller SUV's with ease during the crazy NE winter we had last year. If you plan on driving in the winter, this should be your very first purchase :)