Snow tire/rim recommendations

[ronbo]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
I run firestone winterforce on 14's that cost under 80- bucks ea mounted and balanced to new steel rims from Tirerack. They do very well. I hear the Altimax are better, but I am happy with the VERY aggressive, tall and open tread blocks on the Winterforce.

I have them too and they are highly rated by users on TireRack, BUT they are snow tires and not snow and ice like the mentioned General Altimax. Altimax are better in snow also from the comparison test I read.

 

[eljefino]

Originally Posted By: mattwithcats
Remember, rim size does not matter, tread width matters in the snow....


It matters insofar as a 185 or 195 likes around a 6.5 inch rim which could be narrower than OP might find.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Well I will search for 4 cheap 14" rims and winter tires. I am counting on eljefino, the super sluth of savings to pull through for me.

Thanks for that low down on 4 tires compared to 2. Sometimes my ideas sound good on paper, but in the real world are not that smart.

 

[steve20]

another vote for the General Altimax Arctic-- i have them (studded) on my 04 Accord---get'em before they don't make this tread pattern anymore--they are fantastic snow/ice tires

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Originally Posted By: steve20
another vote for the General Altimax Arctic-- i have them (studded) on my 04 Accord---get'em before they don't make this tread pattern anymore--they are fantastic snow/ice tires


I ended up getting General Altimax RT43 Standard Touring All Season 175/70R14 at Tire Buyer.com.

I found rims at salvage yard for $5.99. It was fun pulling them in the snow, but price made it worth the effort. They had three different tire brands mounted and a very loose lug nut. It is no mystery why this 3rd Gen SL was in the salvage yard.

Tire Buyer offered free shipping to Auto Tire plus $25 off order. So 4 tires were $195 plus tax. That was the deciding factor. Tire Rack had nice Car and Driver review of the tire. They were highly rated. Tread is deep and aggressive compared to my half worn CS4.

We get one good snow a year, maybe two. A tire I could use year round when the CS4's wear out was a factor. The tires may outlast useful life of car for my needs.

Thanks again for guiding me!

I had alignment at Firestone under lifetime alignment plan. A lady was quoted price on 4 tires with the road hazard warranty, free rotation, etc. for just under $1000.00.

With some new hubcaps my total is right at $320.00 after install.

 

[Rand]

uh why wouldnt you just replace the cs4's and not even buy wheels then?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
I ended up getting General Altimax RT43 Standard Touring All Season 175/70R14 at Tire Buyer.com.

So you asked about a snow/winter tire, and you bought an all-season instead?

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Originally Posted By: Rand
uh why wouldnt you just replace the cs4's and not even buy wheels then?


1. I can get another 30,000 miles out of the CS4's. Wanted to get full life out of them.

2. New rims were $5.99 each. New tires on used rims were cheaper, especially for the quality I bought. They ride better than my CS4's and Michelins I had in past. Snow traction is acceptable, unlike before. Better than any all season tire I ever bought.

3. Rotations will be easier. Twice a year when I switch out tires.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
I ended up getting General Altimax RT43 Standard Touring All Season 175/70R14 at Tire Buyer.com.

So you asked about a snow/winter tire, and you bought an all-season instead?

Ha, ha, ha...As others have said I march to a different drummer...

1. I asked about 2 snow tires.
2. I was convinced to buy 4 tires.
3. The reviews were stellar for Altimax, even in snow.
4. The price was over $50 less than any snow tire I could find.
5. The cheapest snow tire was Goodyear. The two worst tire purchases I every made were Goodyears. It is one brand I avoid/do not trust.
5. In 3 years when I wear out the CS4's I will just sell the aluminum rims.
6. I wanted something that was also good with rain (which we have more of).

Looking at all these factors it made sense to me.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
3. The reviews were stellar for Altimax, even in snow.

Stellar as far as all-season tires go. But even the best all-season tire will not be as good as an average winter tire when it comes to snow handling. Apples to oranges. But as long as you're happy, we're happy for you.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
But as long as you're happy, we're happy for you.


Happy for now. If we start getting more snow than usual and I get stuck, then I will be regretting not going for the snow tires. Time will tell....

 

[Quattro Pete]

Yeah, I am regretting going with the all-season Conti DWS on the wife's car right now. She doesn't get stuck because she has AWD, but stopping and turning blows donkey balls. Plus, going on the hwy with some snow on it at anything above 40 mph results in the car losing traction and starting to sway, while most other cars easily pass us by. Pathetic. She's getting rid of this car soon, so I won't be buying winter tires for it now, but will definitely do so for her next car.

 

[Astro14]

Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
But as long as you're happy, we're happy for you.


Happy for now. If we start getting more snow than usual and I get stuck, then I will be regretting not going for the snow tires. Time will tell....


Getting stuck is the least likely outcome of insufficient traction. Crashes are more common...they happen when you can't stop or can't negotiate the turn. ABS and AWD are simply aids...it's the tires that matter most.

As was said, the best all seasons are not as good as snow tires. Now, we get snow once or twice a year where I now live, so I have done the cost/benefit and chosen all seasons...but when I lived in snow country, that choice of all seasons was not worth the added risk for the $$ saved.

 

[99Saturn]

OP, I'd be extremely interested in hearing your review of the RT43s if you go through a snow storm or two. If I have my SL2 next year still I'll likely be in the same boat as you.

At this point I can't justify the cost of outfitting dedicated snows but won't feel too bad if I replace the current P4s I have with a good deal from DTD and the car still goes.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Originally Posted By: 99Saturn
OP, I'd be extremely interested in hearing your review of the RT43s if you go through a snow storm or two. If I have my SL2 next year still I'll likely be in the same boat as you.

At this point I can't justify the cost of outfitting dedicated snows but won't feel too bad if I replace the current P4s I have with a good deal from DTD and the car still goes.


We have a few inches of snow but had freezing rain before it started. So road had some icy areas. At first I slipped a little pulling out of subdivision. I eased off the trottle and rest of time was getting pretty good traction.

Cannot say that for the Mustang going Westbound on 40. I went Eastbound for short time and then took side roads. I noticed the West bound traffic was backed up. A Mustang spun out and was blocking the interstate.

So far they are working well. They are giving a great overall ride. I hate it when the tires ruin the driving experience. These seem to make it better.

If you get a chance watch the Car and Driver review posted at Tire Rack.

The tread is fairly deep and aggressive looking on the edge of tire especially compared to my CS4's. If keep the miles off them I think they will continue to do well in snow.