So, what's your choice of snow tire this year?

[fiasco]

Got the Hankook i409s on my silver Legacy. Reason purchased: cheapest non Wal Mart off brand snow I could find (esp. with the Discount Tire Direct sale in October). Both times it's been nasty out, my wife's been driving the car (whoever doesn't need the child seat drives the silver car), no complaints. I did a quick 1.5 mile beat run on them last night and had no complaints with traction. I'm sure on ice they're not going to be in the same league as the Nokian RSis. They're a little noisy and squishy on the highway, but not at all bad.

On the Outback I have Yokohama IG20s. Again, cheapest non-crap tire I found. I got a few miles of snowy road driving on them, and I was impressed. With my son in the car, I wasn't going to try any silliness, but the only time I broke traction was hammering it uphill on a snow covered dirt road from a standstill. I was expecting a lot more "slippy". But I don't have enough miles on them to say OMG buy this right now!!!!

Seems like the two most popular winter tires at this year's Rally of the Tall Pines were the IG20s and the i409s (with a smattering of Yoko rally snows, Nokian, and others out there). May have something to do with contingency money, but hey. The Tedneck driver I crewed for had IG10s (the older version), which he bought a bunch of two years ago because they seemed to be 95% of a Blizzak at half the price.

Yokohama IG20s 185/65 15s are $65 each at discount tire direct, FWIW.

--Andrew

[matt]

Same sams club special "pacemark snowtrakker" cost me something like $320 installed which is a good deal in 225/60/16 at least as far as I've seen. I pretty much didn't have a choice at the time, big snow storm + long drive + craptenzas = certain death or at least dismemberment.

They do pretty good in the mud too.

[max]

Why'd you end up getting them so wide?

[Geoff]

I did a quick 1.5 mile beat run on them last night and had no complaints with traction.

On the practice stage next to your house?

[monte 283]

I have been a loyal Nokia/Nokian buyer for the last 10-15 years. I currently have a set of Q's which have amazing traction on everything, including glare ice. On packed snow they offer the same level of grip as a a good rally tire on gravel; on ice they give up a little lateral grip but it makes the car easier to pitch sideways in a controlled slide and then bring back in line with brakes and throttle. Before this I had Hakka 1's, 185/65R15 and Hakkapelitta 10's in the same size, when Nokia made tires (tyres?) instead of cell phones. I think the best combo was my 1980 900 with 165/80 Nokia NR09's, (back when you could buy very skinny tires) mounted on plain steel wheels. I usually gained a couple inches of ground clearance with this set-up and I could easily drive through 10-12" of snow with nary a problem. I used these tires for ice trials as well and it was nice being able to drive around AWD cars that were bottomed out when they went off course.

[79-99]

The hakka's are just too damn expensive for me at 187.50 each. I'm going with the General Altimax arctics 90 bucks at tirewarehouse . Made by Continental
Ed

I need 215/55/16, they are $$$$

[Crazyswede]

The hakka's are just too damn expensive for me at 187.50 each. I'm going with the General Altimax arctics 90 bucks at tirewarehouse . Made by Continental
Ed

$187 where are you looking and what size? I paid about $400 for the set of studded 2's I have right now in a 185/65/15

[Geoff]

Sounds like you're looking at the Hakka 5s or something... You'd probably save money (not over those cheap General tires) buying some 15" steel rims or some used 15" rims (so long as they fit over your brakes) and getting some Hakka 2s or Nordman 2s. They'd be a good investment in Maine

[matt]

Why'd you end up getting them so wide?

me? that's stock size on the outback.

[DeLorean]

I got some used Dunlop's for my Viggen.
DS-2 I think they are.. Should provide decent dry/wet traction and get me through the couple of days of ice/snow. I always find that hardcore ice/snow tires wear too fast for the amount of actual really bad weather I get. Not to mention the almost dangerous dry handling. If I lived in VT,NH or Maine, it might be a different story.

I feel the same way, oddly, I also have the Dunlops too, a junk yard find, they were nearly new. I think they are the A2-sport A/S. had them out in the ice a few days ago, it's no winter tire but you can still get around in adverse conditions just fine. just have to adjust your driving for conditions, something a lot of people seem to have a problem doing...

[79-99]

I need 16" not 15s . 187.50 per tire was for 215/55/16 not studded. What do you guys think about Dunlops ? I know...Generals have a reputation as a cheap tire, but the Altimax arctics are identical in tread pattern and material composition to Gislaved Nordfrost 3, whaich are also made by Continental.

OK OK please don't ban me from this site... they are for a 9-3 sport sedan

Ed

P.S come up to NEFR, I'll by beer for the team...provided you are over 21!!!

[79-99]

187.50 for 215/55/15 Hakka 2s I can't use 15s

They are for a 9-3 sport sedan...please don't ban me from this site!!!

Ed

[Jordan]

Can't the 9-3SS use 15 wheels? My brother has one and lists 15" wheels ok for snow tire package. And they came on the linear model.

[max]

187.50 for 215/55/15 Hakka 2s I can't use 15s

They are for a 9-3 sport sedan...please don't ban me from this site!!!

Ed

Don't worry, I have a Lil bunny foo foo, and I'm not banned...


...then again, I'm an administrator, sooo... yeah.


admin ninja edit:

[79-99]

Just put on new Hakka 2s after work today. 10-12" tonight and tomorrow...should be fun for the morning drive to work.
Ed