hi, ive read many threads here about these stock tires and i agree they arent that great. my brother has a mazda 3, stock goodyear tires on stock 17's. when i drive it, obviously it isnt a sports car, but i do actually "feel" more from the wheel/tires more than the rx8. like in the 8, the car handles what you do to it, but i just dont feel the "grip" through the stering wheel as much. like the car grips, but there isnt feed back in your hands on the wheel from what the tires are doing...... i hope you guys understand what im trying to explain. maybe it has to do with the different steering sytem and not the tires?

but anyways, has anyone else experience this as well? also, will upgrading the tires give more feed back of grip from the tires through the steering? thanks guys

 

That's odd. You know the Mazda 3 is FWD, right? Totally different ballpark. Maybe have the alignment on your 8 checked.

FS

 

From the Mazda site.
The RX-8’s power steering, which conveys extremely accurate feedback on road surface conditions, incorporates a torque sensor on the pinion shaft and operates by an electric motor on the rack. The computer controlled power assisted steering is speed-sensitive.

Rough translation:
The RX8 steering feels a bit artificial at low speeds but the feel improves as the speed increases.

 

Yes, I experienced the same (coming from a Mazda Protege). It seems that DarkBrew is right on.

Maybe the electric power steering filters out that minute feedback, so the RX-8 steering wheel is more numb in that sense.

I don't know though why the electric power steering would have such an effect? That's the "excuse" but don't know why.

 

I did notice a difference in turn in with a set of toyo T1R tires

the new tires are a huge difference and were worth every penny!