Winter tires

[bombshell]

Ok, so I know it's a bit early (being July and all...) but I was thinking about my first winter with my first car and realised it would likely be worth the investment into winter tires.
So I need some advice...
First of all, what am I looking for? I know winter tires, but what size, what are good makes ect...
Where can I get them? My dealership, or another tire store?
Are there warranty's on tires?
How much do they usually run?
Anything I may have forgotten which would prove useful would lso be appreciated. Thanx for any help you can provide!

[StewPiddass]

Believe me, you want snows, the Dunlops suck... I put 14" Blizzaks on steel wheels on my Pro, they work great. Contact a few shops (tiremag, wheels direct, wheel and tire zone) or I'm sure someone will be doing a group buy when winter gets a little closer. You're probably looking at between $500 - $900 for good tires and rims.

[Scooter]

As Stepiddas said,...definately get winter rubbers. The stock tires suck in the winter climate.

As he also said,..there will probably be a group buy if you hold off for a few months.

I bought Nokian Hakkapeliitta NRWs last year and they were great. Got them at Steelcase Tires and Mags in Markham for about $800 with 15" steelies (taxes in).

You'll hear varying opinions on the board, just keep your eyes peeled for any good deals / group buys.

[CarDemon]

Comb through our main "Wheels, Tires & Brakes" section of the board and go back to around November/December 2002. Pay attention to the group buys and especially the Ghetto Concept Winter Deals.

I'm assuming you have a P5 and you work hard for your money. Go down to a 14" black steel rim so your rubber will be cheaper. Walmart sells them on special order for around $39.97 ea. Then you can read on the specific tire size and various brands everyone got too.

I picked up used steelies for $20.00 each and mounted some decent rubber all inclusive for $410.00 one of the cheapest and most effective in the club.

[nicholas13]

Like Cardemon, I too picked up a used set of steel 14" rims and ran the Khumho IZen winter tires. My total package was around the 400$ mark.

Good Luck. Maybe if you can find anyone who has winters left in stock they will give you a great price so they can get rid of there stock.

[Logan]

The tire you buy depends a LOT on where you will be driving, and what conditions you will be driving in.

If you're going to spend a lot of time on slippery roads, go with the Bridgestone Blizzak. They are possibly the best "ice" tire there is. You pay for that though.

If you're just going to be driving in the GTA, where the road care is generally good, than just a generic winter tire should do the job.

I don't think any winter tires have a "treadwear" warranty where you are guaranteed x number of km's from the tires. Winter tires are made of softer rubber, and will wear VERY fast in warmer temps. Most tires do have the regular warranties though. Make sure you research that when you buy.

I know a lot about winter tires, feel free to ask me more.

[Jika]

Get the Nokian Hakkapellitta 1. All four tires

195 55 R15

[Logan]

The hakkas are a GREAT DEEP SNOW TIRE. They have large tread blocks and do not perform as well on slippery roads as the blizzaks do. If you drive in deep snow often, buy these tires.
Also, the Hakka's have a softer sidewall than most tires. This means that when cornering there is a delayed response from the time you turn the wheel until the time the tires actually do the work. Soft sidewall also means they are more prone to curb damage, if you like curbs.

[bombshell]

Well basically I just drive around scarborough-ajax-oshawa area on the city streets so my main concerns are slippery and icy conditions and something which will last for a while.

[rowan]

Pirelli has various IceSport tires which are probably more use to you. Something along that line that is a dedicated Winter tire but not "snow" tire.

Hakka-1's are a complete waste of money anywhere but in the countryside.

Although Nokian does have a number of other models that would be perfect.

You don't want to go for an amazing snow tire and then have drastically reduced grip on dry pavement and ice ( 90% of the stuff you will be driving on )

[B-GTS]

Michelin Pilot Alpins are great if you still wanna drive fast when it's dry but cold out.
Great Ice traction as well. Good in deep snow too.
This will be my 3rd season using them on my Celica and I live in the same area as you, so it seemed to work well for me in our some what snowy conditions.

[Logan]

I agree with Rowan.
Michelin makes a lot of good tires. I think a "mid-range" michelin snow tire would be perfect for you. The arctic alpin is a good tire, but it might cost more than you want to spend.
The blizzaks, while providing excellent grip in the ice, are pretty soft, so they will wear faster than some other ones.

[frankm]

All of the winter tires mentioned in the above posts are good tires; any winter tire will be better than stock tires on snow & ice. Since it sounds like you don't want to spend a fortune on winter tires, may I suggest Firestone Winterfires. Much more affordable than most of the others, and very good performance. Check out the reviews on tirerack.com. I got a set of Winterfires last fall and found them to be excellent. I downsized by a factor of one; ie. stock tire 195-55-15; winter tire used 185-65-14.

[rowan]

Actually ... a 205/50/16 or 205/55/15 would be great.

You really don't want to go too skinny and tall if you are mostly doing city and highway driving because you'll lose a lot of steering response and sidwall stiffness which doesn't feel nice at 140 Km/h.

For more snow/gravel driving, skinnier will help cut through but you lose grip on pavement and ice by having a smaller contact patch.

[CarDemon]

I had the prementioned Winterfires by Bridgstone I think on my 89 HOnda Accord. They were one of the best bang for your buck wintertires you can get and of course my other ghetto hookups from a friend of a friend of a buddy who has a cousin named Cooter(the guy with a tow truck)

Once again, I went down to a 14inch rim with a slightly skinnier profile of P185/60series or P195/60series cause in the occasional deep slush, water, snowy downfall I wanted to cut through the snowy or winter elements, not paddle or wallow through it.

As for higher speeds, I don't own a Porshe or BMW and I don't DO WINTER ULTRA HIGHSPEED PERFORMANCE DRIVING EITHER. http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif There is something about that term that retailers try and push on me that doesn't go down well. I tire capable of 110km/hr+ or 120km/hr+ for the winter seems adequate.

What is a resonable budget for you? $500.00, $600.00, $700.00, $800.00. We have Al-Queida and Triad Members here who nearly went close to a $1000.00 which would be cutting into 3/4 or > of my summer wheel and tire package WET DREAM.

I personally just wanted to commute more safely and securely to and from work and have that added assurance. I'm sure I'll squeeze 3 more winters out of them and then they'll be an autocross tire.

All these brands mentioned are very good but I would definitely go down to a 14" 5 bolt P5 compatable rim first so whatever tire you'ld choose would be cheaper.

[YP5 Toronto]

.....no worries everyone...there will be packages in the fall and I will do my best to milk Wheels Direct for as much as possible.

You have many options available, but I do have to agree with Rowan....work with a budget that suits you best, but try to stick with the 15" when possible (your wallet and selection will ultimately dictate).

[redfyre]

One option is to look at your dealer. It may not be the best deal, but it isn't too bad either. Plus it's easy if you don't want the hassle of looking around. Last year the dealers offered a set of winter tires with steel rims for around the $400 mark. I'd imagine the same could be said for this winter. Maybe you can try looking into that.

[rcbear]

anyone looking for winter tires??

I have a set of Pirelli Winter 210 Snow Tire 205/45/16 Fit orginal Zoom Zoom rims. 70% Tread remains.

I have to sell my car, sadly =(

I am selling it for $400, paid $850 when new..

Cheers!!!

Derek