Ok I have read so many pages that nothing is being absorb. Just a few quick question from the experts.

I have the stock 18 inch wheels at the moment.

Question 1.
What is the widest size that would fit for the stock wheels. Discount tire says 275 35R 18. Is that true? Ayone here have this set?

Question 2.
What is the difference I would be experience if I went with a thinner tire in the front in terms of handing, comfort, performance etc...? Good or bad? (Cheaper for cost)

Question 3.

If I plan to go 19 and wider in the future in the rear wheels, is it safe to say to keep the 18 and thinner tires in the front?

Thank you the response. Forgive my newbness.

 

1) With the right installer, some of the autocrossers have fit 295's on 18x8's.
2) Less width up front will (probably) lead to better initial turn-in followed by understeer at the limit.
3) In all likelihood, you'll probably just exacerbate what you start in #2.

 

wider tires in the back equals alot of understeer...... 275's should fit but might feel smushy

 

1. Widest I would go on stock tires would be a 245/40/18. Yes you can fit wider, but it is not ideal. The only reason autocrossers do it is because they are limited to stock wheel size of 18*8 yet have no limitations on how wide the tires can be.

2. I would stick with the same size all around. The money you save on the cheaper fronts will most definitely screw you in the end because you will no longer be able to rotate the tires. Since the rear will wear faster (RWD car) you will be replacing the rears (which will be more expensive) sooner. Handling has already been discussed, add more grip to the rear, the fronts will break loose sooner which is understeer.

3. I wouldn't ever put 19s in the rear and 18s in the front, it would look really bad. Stick with either 18s or 19s at all four corners. Keep in mind the wider you go in the rear the more understeer you will have. I'm not saying its a bad thing to have wider rear wheels, but ideally the car is balanced from the factory so you should try to keep wheels the same size all around and keep the natural balance of the car. If you want it just for looks then go ahead, lots have already done the staggered thing but if you are concerned about handling at the limits then don't bother.

 

EDIT: someone got here before me =(

 

1. unless you're a stock class autocrosser and wants just the absolutely widest tire patch to put on the pavement, putting anything more than 245 wide tires on the stock wheels are just stupid.

2. thinner tire up front = less grip in front = even more understeer than stock, why do you want your rwd to drive like a fwd car?

3. RX-8 doesn't have enough torque to break loose the 225 stock rear tires to begin with, why even bother with anything wider and heavier and slow you down even more.

seems like you really want to make your rx8 drive like a fwd family sedan :P

 

I agree.

the 245's will let you handle better if you track it.

 

dont do different tire diameters in the front and back... ie 18"wheels front 19" rear

this makes front spin faster than the rear and the PCM will hate you for it. you'll get CEL and TCS lights on and the car may do dumb stuffs with the throttle and timing trying to correct for a spin/slide situation that isnt realy happening(PCM just thinks it is cause how the wheels arent spinning at the same rate)