For all you that live in the Chicagoland area, you know how horrible the snow gets. Would you even suggest buying an rx8 if it will be my only daily driver? I don't want to spend another grand on winter tires which all have stories of people barely making it to work...

 

I live in the western burbs. I use Continental all-season tires and I've never been stuck. I have lowered the car so there may be a day or two, each winter, that I may have to find a different way to get around. That is, until the snow plows take care of the roads.
If you do get the RX8, don't put sand or other weight in the car. It isn't necessary and it upsets the balance of the car.

 

I survived last winter in Forest Park (Harlem and 290) on a set of Nokian WR G2 in 225/50/17. As long as the snow wasn't taller than the bottom of the car, I had no problems. For the days when the snow got too deep, I stole my wife's AWD Hyundai Santa Fe.

Unless you are God, you aren't going to survive on a set of summer tires. You might make it on a decent set of all-seasons but I wouldn't chance it.

You can pay $1000 now or you can pay your deductable plus higher insurance rates for 3+ years plus potential hospital bills plus time lost dealing with a busted car in the middle of winter. I can almost guarantee that a set of cheap-*** 17" wheels plus a good set of snow tires will cost less.

 

No sweat with winter tires (only cost $600 for 17" wheel/tire set on Craigslist). On summer tires - forget it! I couldn't move forwards in 1/16" of snow! It's my daily driver.

 

Thanks for the advice guys, I think I'm gonna go ahead and pick up the car because I found a great deal and the guy is really moving on the price. It's the nordic green color, not my favorite color but it will have to do for the price I'm getting it at.

 

I know I'm late to this thread, but you should absolutely buy it.

I have Blizzaks on early November to early April. I absolutely love driving it in the snow. In fact, I actually look forward to it.

It truly has been a very reliable daily driver.

Christopher

 

Ha Ha , I was doing 100 mph in my driveway the first winter with the car on those Bridgestones.

 

First winter on summer tires? Couldn't get out of my parking spot in a dusting of snow. Road was curved, higher in the middle, lower towards the curb, and my *** just kept sliding back into the curb. Next three years on all seasons and no problems. Plowed through about a foot of snow on a parking lot once. That was fun.

 

Those Bridgestones are special, aren't they?

Before I got the winter tires I got wheel spin in 3rd on a clear and dry road. The problem was it was 10 degrees out. So, you don't even need any of the the fluffy white stuff to make them useless.

Christopher