Is the Miata a viable winter car?
With winter tires and the optional detachable hard top, the Miata is a viable and enjoyable winter car. The interior is quick to heat up and, believe it or not, it is actually peppier in the winter, thanks to the cold, dense air that the engine is breathing. Be sure to mount 4 good quality winter tires. Nokian Hakkapeliitta tires are very popular with winter Miata drivers (and rally drivers). This Finnish tire company has a long reputation for outstanding winter tires that are very reasonably priced. If you are considering getting “all season” tires, start thinking of them as “no season tires” tires that are not particularly good in any conditions. The rubber compound and the tread will never come close to the traction provided by a true winter tire (indicated with a snowflake and mountain symbol on the sidewall). Choose your winter tires in a size that is “skinnier” than your summer tires.
With winter tires and the optional detachable hard top, the Miata is a viable and enjoyable winter car. The interior is quick to heat up and, believe it or not, it is actually peppier in the winter, thanks to the cold, dense air that the engine is breathing. Be sure to mount 4 good quality winter tires. Nokian Hakkapeliitta tires are very popular with winter Miata drivers (and rally drivers). This Finnish tire company has a long reputation for outstanding winter tires that are very reasonably priced. If you are considering getting “all season” tires, start thinking of them as “no season tires” tires that are not particularly good in any conditions. The rubber compound and the tread will never come close to the traction provided by a true winter tire (indicated with a snowflake and mountain symbol on the sidewall). Choose your winter tires in a size that is “skinnier” than your summer tires. This will increase the pounds per square inch of tire that is being pressed onto the road surfac
