I've been hearing some amazing things about the Nokian Hakkapeliitta Snow Tires.

I still haven't bought my snow tires (I have the Jeep Liberty 4x4 as a backup, so no rush).

 

They're great winter tires, the Nokian WR is about the only true all-season tire (in that it actually has decent snow performance compared to true winter tires, rather than relatively poor snow performance), and the RSi is a just flat out great winter tire. I've owned 2 or 3 sets of Nokians over the past 23 years...

Last time I checked, though, Nokian didn't have a winter tire in a proper RX-8 size.

 

Hey Gord.

They do now.

I talked to The Tire Factory in Lansing, Michigan today.

They also recommended the Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme, in 18", as well.

The guy I spoke with said they'll (both the Nokians and Vredesteins) last three times as long as Blizzaks or Dunlops, so even though they cost more up front, it's well worth it.

I do not know if this is true, but he sounded like he knew what he was talking about.

 

Hmmm...

Check out http://www.nokiantires.com/

They have a vehicle tire selector - it shows no tires available for the 18" size and no 17" choices, only choices for the 16" on the base Automatic RX-8.

Manually browsing the RSi or Hakka 2 sizes also doesn't show a good size fo 17" or 18", unless you want to go significantly shorter or taller in diameter.

 

Gord,

The Hakkapeliitta 2 is available in 235/50R18:


HAKK 2

The RSI is available in 225/40R18:

RSI