Tire Wear
 

Some members have changed their tires at 25k miles with 5k rotation intervals so that's only one change in 3 years, but the treadwear on the stock potenzas are only at a poor 140 and are decent but not the best bang for the buck if you were to replace them.

I have almost 15,000 miles on my first set and they dont lok like they've worn much at all. Others may beg to differ. I also try to baby my car and dont do donuts or burnouts on dry days. Save that for the wet surfaces.

About 1 mile for this guy :)
http://0401.netclime.net/1_5/8/P/E/RX8_low_qual.wmv

I have 14,500 miles, and got my 8 in July 2004. Manual transmission. I don't peel out. I drive fast on occasion. My rear tires are completely worn. I have to buy new ones. Mazda wants $250/each for the factory tires. I'm shopping elsewhere.

I can't believe that I have to replace these tires so soon. They are mosly bald in the middle, I was thinking overinflation, but they have always 32psi from the dealership and I typically drop them down to 31.

Sux. Cha Ching.

21,000 and my wear bars are almost flush. I had the Potenzas, and I am in the market for new tires. Purchased 10/03.

I have 17,700 on mine from Dec '03 - the fronts are pretty worn, but the rears have some tread left. Two tire guys told me to come back at 20,000.

Are you really thinking of changing from a two-seat convertible to a four-seat, four-door coupe, because of the miles the tires last?

If you drive the S2000 and the RX-8 the same way, with the stock tires, the tires will last about the same. Almost certainly, more S2000 owners drive aggressivley than RX-8 owners, given the demographics of the two groups, so, statistically, the S2000 tires will wear out quicker, but that's mostly because of the way they drive. I went through my OEM RE050s on my S2000 in much less than 15,000 miles, but that included four track days and two autocrosses (I save my real aggressive driving for the track). I expect that my wife's RE040 OEM tires on her RX-8 will last much longer than that, because she will only go to the track once (for high-performance driver ed), and she also does not drive aggressively on the street.

If you want your S2000 tires to last longer, either drive more gently (and, in that case, why have an S2000?), or buy less expensive, longer lasting tires (in which case, you will not be able to drive as aggressively safely). If you want a great four-seat, four-door coupe, buy an RX-8, but not for longer-lasting tires.

LOL OMG No!!!! My lease is up in a year. Looking to get out of it in about 6+ Months. I've always been a Rotary Fan having previoulsy owned an 88 Vert and now driving my brothers around. I did always love the 8, and was looking forward to getting it after the S.

The reasoning to my question is.. I do not want to have to dish out more $$ on tires like I do in the S, if I were to get the 8. I don't drive like a granny but i also don't drive my car hard. I don't autox either. Pretty much i am a regular driver who sometimes speeds a little ;) I do have to say according to everyone's wear & Tear in the South Florida area they all have had only done 10-12K miles on their tires before having to change them out, some even less. I just am doing some research into the 8 before buying it. Get me??

Yeah, that makes sense. I would call up Connor or Jim at Tire Rack and ask your question. They seem to know tires, and they don't seem to try to "upsell" you. 10,00 - 12,000 seems to me to be a bit on the low side for the RX-8 tires, absent pretty aggressive driving, but I could easily be wrong on that. It's pretty common for the S.

One thing to keep in mind is that the RX-8 has 18" wheels, so tires are a bit more expensive, and there are fewer choices than in your S, unless you swap out wheels.

Yeah I understand the 8's wheels are larger. Big difference of 16's to 18's. Anyway. Like i said just doing some research. It's hard enough now trying to get new tires for the S when it's going to go BuhBye in less than a year. Anyway..


THANKS EVERYONE for your input, greatly appreciate it!! :)