Vehicle is a Mercury Grand Marquis, secondary family car, usually not driven in snow unless other cars are unavailable or out of service (rare). Has ABS but no TC.
Terrain is north central Vermont, one of the snowiest towns in New England from what I am told (I am pretty new here). Lots of hills and steep curves.
I had decent luck with studless General Altimax Arctics the past two years. The car went almost anywhere I asked it to, even in significant snow. My fiancee and I have decided that since this is a secondary car that is rarely driven in snow, we are not going to put too much money into a new set of snow tires, however we want something that will give the car competent handling.
Shopping for new tires now, based on discounts a friend can get me through his towing business, and have narrowed my choices down to the Hankook iPike (I would have them studded) and Continental Extreme Winter Contact.
I have never owned a Hankook tire, and the reviews seem to indicate that the tire is subpar without studs. There are not many reviews of the tires with studs.
My only Continental experience was just plain OK. I ran a set (forgot the model name) as summer tires on a 99 Monte Carlo. They seemed especially prone to hydroplaning and I am guessing the rubber compound was super hard, as the tires had almost no bite in any amount of loose sand on the pavement. But the treadwear was incredible, and cornering like a dream.
The EWC seems to be a great tire for my application, even without studs.
Any input or opinions would be appreciated. Right now leaning toward the Continentals, as they seem to be a better quality tire overall.
Terrain is north central Vermont, one of the snowiest towns in New England from what I am told (I am pretty new here). Lots of hills and steep curves.
I had decent luck with studless General Altimax Arctics the past two years. The car went almost anywhere I asked it to, even in significant snow. My fiancee and I have decided that since this is a secondary car that is rarely driven in snow, we are not going to put too much money into a new set of snow tires, however we want something that will give the car competent handling.
Shopping for new tires now, based on discounts a friend can get me through his towing business, and have narrowed my choices down to the Hankook iPike (I would have them studded) and Continental Extreme Winter Contact.
I have never owned a Hankook tire, and the reviews seem to indicate that the tire is subpar without studs. There are not many reviews of the tires with studs.
My only Continental experience was just plain OK. I ran a set (forgot the model name) as summer tires on a 99 Monte Carlo. They seemed especially prone to hydroplaning and I am guessing the rubber compound was super hard, as the tires had almost no bite in any amount of loose sand on the pavement. But the treadwear was incredible, and cornering like a dream.
The EWC seems to be a great tire for my application, even without studs.
Any input or opinions would be appreciated. Right now leaning toward the Continentals, as they seem to be a better quality tire overall.