Hello Everyone!!

[LeoCanuck]

I had posted this by accident in the "My other car (is not a mazda)" Thread. So here it is:

Hi everyone, i am a soon to be owner of a 2005 Mazda RX-8. i know, yay...I currently own a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara JLX SUV, and while awesome it is to drive in the snow and ice, i have always wanted a really sporty car......that's where the RX comes in.......one dilemma though, is there anyone here that lives in the northernly type climate that drives their RX in the winter time, and if u do, i would only assume that you have kick butt winter tires on?.

Please help, as i will be purchasing my car in about a month and would like to make a decision on whether to drive the car in the wintertime or just keep it as a summer vehicle.

Many thanks for your replies, and glad to be part of the forum.

Gracias.

Leo (canada)

P.S - Sorry to have to repost this here, but your feedback would be greatly appreciated. AND, very happy to join the forum!! (stooges)

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

I've heard mixed on the Rx8 in the snow...its RWD so snow driving needs to be done carefully...

 

[Antoine]

(hi) Welcome Leo...Don't worry...I took care of your other thread.

 

[KYLiquid]

I live in FL (so no chance of anything but rain and heat here) but I have several friends that drive their cars daily in the snow (durring winter).

Mazda did EXTENSIVE wintertesting with the RX8 in heavy snow and ice in some of the coldest places on earth. The car is light and RWD but the traction control/stability system on the car is one of the best in the world, and that makes bad weather driving a breez in the car.

All you really have to do to the car to make it snow ready is put on some good snow tires (and thats not really cause of the car, its cause the stock bridgestones/dunlops the car comes with are SUMMER ONLY tires and even on a cold DRY night they can be slippery).

So basicaly get a set of good all-season tires or a set of snow tires for the winter and your set.

The oil is already light (5w20) and the car runs warm so it doesnt have a problem driving in the cold.....just remeber if you live in a place where it goes below freezing to never shut the car off cold. You dont have to run it for 20 mins......but if you start it, at least let it run for a min or two so you dont have to worry about flooding. Its not a "for sure" it will flood, but there is always the chance when the temps go below about 35*.......although with the latest flashes they have done on the ECU have made it all but a possibility.

Enjoy the car.