I drove my '8 all last winter, with good tires it is great!
No chance of finding a set of 'cheap cheap' rims, the smallest you can go (on the Canadian GT model) is 17".
Some of the Montreal owners got a group buy together at Talon tire, I got in on it and bought FRD rims and Toyo Garit tires. My car has no TPM system, so no sensors needed. The Garits have crushed nut shells in the compound, ice feels like it has already been sanded, a great improvement in traction. The larger rubber % of the 17s also give a much better ride than the stock RE040s, which I actually prefer (Guess my age is showing!)
My car was my daily driver, had to build my own oil pan heater because the MORONS at Mazda Canada neglected to design one.....
Actually it makes a very good winter car, has traction control, anti-lock brakes,dynamics stability control, limited slip rear, (what more could you ask for?) and has EIGHT airbags. My old Acura had non-of-the-above.
I tried some 'split traction' experiments, with one wheel on ice, one on dry pavement; stopping was straight and relatively quick, the ABS has good control. Starting off was also drama-free, the traction control cuts power and the system uses the brakes on the 'looser' wheels, then the car accelerates nice and straight.
I will be treating it a little better this year, and using a 'beater' to go to work, but it will have it's winter boots on for special occasions!
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doc