Winter tire suggestions?

[guest]

I have a 2002 Cavalier & need to get winter tires. Any suggestions that are reasonably priced? Also if you know of any garages in the Toronto area that are having any deals? Thanks...

[The General]

Reasonably priced winter tires... depends on what reasonable means to you. Some of the better tires are Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50, Toyo GO2, Dunlop Graspics and Yokohama Ice Guards.

If I am right, your tire size should be 195/70R14. This list should run you between 100 and 130 per tire. There are some cheaper ones out there but you always get what you pay for.

I believe that the Dunlops are the cheapest ones in the list. I don't have anyone I can recommend though. Try the APA in Toronto at 416-204-1444.

[woohoo!]

Since this will be the first year that I will buy WINTER tires, I was looking at some generic brand called Winterforce. Not great on ice, but good on snow. Since I'm used to 4-season-bald-as-a-baby's-botton tires, they will definitely make a difference to me... ;-)

For the record, a Winterforce 205/60R15 tire should cost about $100 a tire, so I assume 14 inchers will be less expensive.

[The General]

"4-season-bald-as-a-baby's-botton tires" Are these the new Michelin tires everyone's talking about?

I think that the Winterforce is either a Firestone or a Bridgestone... I think they are Firestones and not that bad.

[Capital Car Guy]

... I've ever gotten has been from www.tiretrend.com out of Vancouver.

Yes it's online shopping and you have to take delivery at your local Postal office, (or pay extra and have them delivered to my door as I did) and still have them installed somewhere, but I still paid $250 more in the end to get the exact same tire through a local dealer the first time I ever comparison "shopped", and they haven't let me down since.

Not only do they offer the most comprehensive selection of any retailer I've ever seen, but they offer fantastic advice as well. I was looking for a set of winter tires for my Saab Wagon a couple of years ago, and since it is a lease that I would be soon giving up, didn't want to spend lot.

After looking at thier site (there is another lesson here), I thought I'd go for the Dunlop Graspic's, but phoned them first to order. When I did, they asked me what car I drove, where I lived and where did I drive it primarily, and when I did, they discouraged me from buying the Graspic's, explaining that a) They are a real SNOW tire, developed for deep snow and ice conditions, which means that they wear quickly and are probably noisy in regular asphalt driving, and b) That they have tall/soft sidewalls that probably wouldn't withstand my cars weight and performance characteristics. They instead refered me to a set of Hankook Ice Bears that were even cheaper, and are indeed far more suited to my car and especially my driving characteristics. All the other retailers just asked me what size I wanted, never asking any of the other qualifying questions.

I've ordered 2 other sets from them since and have always gotten good advice and great value. One of them were Kumho (okay, you get what you pay for) and the others are Bridgstone Blizzacks for the Subaru Legacy which have been great. Check them out, you won't be diappointed.

[The General]

Thanks for the tip Capital Car Guy.

I'm going to visit the site for sure.

[woohoo!]

Thanks for the lead, Car Guy!

[The General]

For those who are reading this thread: start looking into tires, don't wait much longer. As soon as the first snow falls, everyone will be rushing to get them done... there will be a 10 day waiting list, insufficient stock...

Do it soon. :arrow:

[chelios_24]

I checked out the tiretrend web site. Wow, it`s awsome...tire reviews and everything.

It`s now nearing the end of January...and MY HOnda Pilot desperately needs winter tires. Don`t know if I should just wait until next year...I hate not being safe...

Having a 4 X 4 does absolutely nothing for you when your driving past 30 kms/hr.

[woohoo!]

Actually, since the big winter tire rush is over (usually before Xmas), tire dealers have lowered prices... now could be the perfect time to buy some.

[chelios_24]

Yes, that what I thought but for my Honda PILOT..I need 235/70/R16 and the PIRELLI SCORPION ICE is still fairly high at $143 each...

That`s on TIRE TREND.

Maybe I`ll wait until February....early February that is.

One question:
Is it worth it to get wheels too. I mean, my HONDA PILOT came with MAGS...do today`s mags resist well to the WINTER/SLUSH/SALT..or do they still get corrusion like MAGS of the 80s.

[woohoo!]

I think they still get corroded and chip/peel/whatever... they seem to lose their shine after a couple of winters... also, taking tires off and on their rims could damage their contours and create air leaks.

[The General]

If you're going to keep the Pilot a while, get steel wheels. They will actually pay for themselves over a few years (saving on the mounting and balancing every year).

woohoo! is right, the mags will get damaged and they are more expensive to replace than steel wheels.

[chelios_24]

Yeah, you`re right once again! Then I`ll have to dish out $1000 bucks but it`s worth it. I`m keeping the PILOT. Otherwise I wouldn`t have bothered buying a HONDA!

Thanks...good advice guys!

[dojawa]

Winterforce snow tires are made by bridgestone under the dayton brand
the older models were sold under the firestone label.
An excellent winter tire for good money but like the blizzak wont last to long if driven for long periods in warmer weather & on pavement.

Kumho makes some good winter tire for reasonable prices.

Doug