I used some studded Michelin snow tires, back in college when I had my old RX-7. They worked GREAT, and made life in wintry upstate NY much easier. A lot of people might argue with this point, but I think a well balanced car with proper tires is as brilliant in the snow as a truck or SUV.

Anyway, fast forward to 2007. I'm in the process of buying an RX-8, and I definitely need some winter rubber. I don't have any place to store a second car, and although I can probably use the girlfriend's Camry, it's not really much better in the white stuff. Although Delaware doesn't get much snow, I am subject to call from work, and need to be able to get around if it is wintry. Also, I plan on visiting my parents during the winter months.

I am going to purchase some 18" winter rubber for my RX-8, and i'm in need of a little help deciding. The old studded snows I used on my '7 were very noisy, but very good. If modern studded snows are just as noisy, a 5-hour highway drive may be a bit of an ordeal.

Here is the list I have narrowed it down to, in reverse order:

3) Dunlop Winter Sport M3
2) Hankook IceBear W300
1) Nokian Hakkapeliitta 4

If you have any other suggestions, please let me know. Thanks in advance!

 

Take a look at the tests and reviews at Tire Rack. Their test of studded snows compared to premium winter tires showed better performance all around WITHOUT studs. The best of all worlds. I know my blizzaks make the 8 nice to drive in the winter but it is still a distant second to my wife's Forester if you really need to get around, even with her stockers on.

 

im running bridgestone blizzaks as well. a little sliding but for the most part three years without a problem

 

A little sliding is fine, isn't it? And then again, the unexpected drift I found myself in this morning with the Protege 5 (black ice on a curve) wasn't so pleasant!.

 

I got some dunlap M3 winter tires and are doing great.

 

I've had the Dunlop M3s on 2 cars and they're great. Plus good high speed stability on dry.

 

none of the above, you want Bridgestone Blizzaks

don't recommend studs unless you live at the North Pole, the Blizzaks are awesome even on glare ice, studs on dry pavement are worse than regular street tires on ice IMO ...