After driving in the little bit of snow last Thursday I realize I need to do something before a heavier snow falling happens. I really don't have $900 to drop on snow tires. I was thinking maybe I could just buy two for the rear, what does everyone think about this? Would it still make a considerable difference?

 

Two snow tires on the rear wheels = no steering (one of the jobs of the front wheels)
Two snow tires on the front wheels = no go, rediculous oversteer.
Four snow tires = good grip

Maybe one snow tire on the left front and one on the right rear?

Seriously, if you have anything but 4 snow or A/S tires - don't drive in snow.

 

Don't forget
Two snow tires on the rear wheels = no braking (the other job of the front wheels)

Yeah, two snow tires only will let you get the car moving just fine - how are you planning to turn and/or stop? Winter tires have to be used in sets of 4. If you can't afford it, then simply leave the RX-8 parked where ever it is when it starts to snow, and take a bus, cab, bum a ride, pay to have it towed home (flatbed) - just don't try to drive it on the summer tires. Those options are cheaper than winter tires, which are much cheaper than the repairs if you slide it into a curb, guardrail, ditch, etc. on the summer tires (2 or 4).

Regards,
Gordon

 

Seriously, if you have anything but 4 snow or A/S tires - don't drive in snow.[/QUOTE]

8is enuff is right. You have to have 4 snow tires. Go to Tire Rack and look at getting
a set of 17" wheels(ASA JS1) and some Dunlop Graspic DS-2 snow tires. You should be able to get it done for about $600.

 

I drove my Miata through two winters with all-seasons on the front, and snow tires on the rear. Never had a problem. Unfortunately, the 8 doesn't come with all-seasons... The stock tires have NO capability whatsoever in the snow...

 

What about 2 of the 16'' stock all-seasons that the A/T base comes with on the front and 2 snow tires on the rear? I currently have a lit of trouble on all 4 all seasons in the snow right now and ordered 2 snow tires for the rear.

 

Are the 16" OEM tires even all-seasons, or are they still summer tires? Regardless - mixing 2 all-seasons with 2 winter tires is still a bad idea. The handling on dry pavement will tend very much to oversteer, the handling on snow will tend very much to understeer. Don't take our word for it - go to the Tire Rack Tech Center and start reading articles in the Winter Tire Tech section. Start with the article Four Winter Tires - The Only Way to Go .

Regards,
Gordon

 

I went through the same thoughts - but look at your stock tires, they're racing slicks.

I bought four bridgestone Blizzak's from the tire rack, 17", low speed rating (Its heresy, but I don't need to go over 99 in the winter anyway) and then I got new wheels to go along, and it was about $1,000.

But you're going to have a tough time doing anything for less than $600-800, even if you get new tires and no wheels. I would look into a set of cheap all weather tires with a low speed rating. They won't give you razor-sharp handling on dry pavement, but they'll improve the grip a lot. And what we have going for us with the RX8 is the 50/50 weight distribution, which helps a lot for handling and going and stopping in the snow. You can also put a 50lb bag of sand in the trunk to help your weight distribution even more.