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best snow tires?

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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 10:52 PM
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Default best snow tires?

So my firebird is my DD which means it will have to see some winter driving. Hopefully it wont have to do any snow beyond a spin or two through the local parking lots, but it very well may. What is a good set of snow tires I can get that wont be absolutely miserable on the road and if at all possible, quiet? Im not worried about having the absolute best, i just need a good cheap tire.

Also, what size should I get it in? I have C6 Z06 rims right now, Im guessing that any decent snow tire isnt going to be nearly wide enough for these rims, should i just look around for a set of stock rims on the cheap?
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 10:57 PM
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you could probably find a beater car to drive around in the winter for the same price of snow tires.
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 11:14 PM
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buy a beater.... salt kills cars
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 07:27 AM
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Originally Posted by whitew01ws6
buy a beater.... salt kills cars

I live in the "snow belt" of western New York, and I agree.



However, if you must drive it, I suggest a set of the cheap, steel wheels that some of the online tire stores have, and a set of the Firestone Winterforce tires. Get the narrowest tire you can get, and still maintain the OD that will keep the computer happy.
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 07:45 AM
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Originally Posted by leadfoot4
I live in the "snow belt" of western New York, and I agree.



However, if you must drive it, I suggest a set of the cheap, steel wheels that some of the online tire stores have, and a set of the Firestone Winterforce tires. Get the narrowest tire you can get, and still maintain the OD that will keep the computer happy.
I threw some Winterforce tires on the back of my old Town Car and that thing would go through anything. For the price they are a great set of tires. Hell I think the guy who bought the car off me two years ago is still running them. Don't waste your money on fancy snow tires.
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 08:04 AM
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i had some BFG KDWS's on my car when my SS was my D/D. They were the only ones i could find with a snow rating above 5 (i think they're 6). For what they were and for what they went on, they were great. Those, coupled with my TCS and M6, made the car driveiable. I agree w/ everyone else that if you can afford a beater, that is your best bet, that is what i did.
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 08:09 AM
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I have to drive my car in the winter as well. You might want to go under the car and do some undercoating, especially if you have some rust spots.
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 08:57 AM
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No money for a beater at the moment. Its not like im going to be commuting daily in the thing, im a college student so i dont have to drive very often. But for getting back home for vacations and the occasional random trip I definetly want snow tires.
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 09:32 AM
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tirerack.com they have the cheapest tires out there and there starting to sell them now ..if you have to go through the winter with it
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 10:01 AM
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I used Dunlop Winter Sport M3s the one winter I had to daily drive my Camaro...it wouldn't be in one piece today without those tires.
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 10:12 AM
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Bridgestone BLIZZACK are the best, in my opinion. I put two 40lb bags of cat litter in the hatch (on the deck, so the weight is right above the axle, not in the boot). I never had a problem. Get the Blizzacks all the way around. A lot of people just put the snows on the drive wheels(the rear in our case), but by having the snows on the front also gives you the ability to stop and turn 1000% better. The Blizzacks used to be tested on ice skating rinks; thats how good they are.
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 10:18 AM
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Just dont get studs. I know they help but with our cars being all plastic and glass on the front and thin on the rear a stud coming loos at 75mph will make a mess of your pant where it hits also they kill your dry traction.
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 01:32 PM
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A few people are right, for the price you would go through with everything its probably better to find a beater for $1000 or something. Your not thinking of the longterm effects, sandbags in back, snow tires.. which you don't want to get cheap snow tires btw, different rims so the salt doesn't hurt them, your clutch will probably be hurting more when trying to pull out in snow, and not to mention if you get stuck you would just be burning more rubber. In the long term effects its just better to buy a beater then at least you would be covered for all winters. Just look for a rusted 90s cavalier for like a grand, I say this... if the heater works and the car runs then its good enough for the winter ahaha.
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by 99monguse
Bridgestone BLIZZAKS are the best, in my opinion.

I agree, however they are also among the most expensive. I know, 'cause that's what's on my Winter DD...a GMC 4x4.

The Winterforce tires are almost as good, but much cheaper. STILL, however, by the time you get done with a set of cheap steel wheels, the snow tires, etc. you're probably looking at $600-700. Another $3-400, and you've got a beater....A beater that could last 3-4 winters.
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 08:39 PM
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I've always heard about Blizzacks being really good also.
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 09:05 PM
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I ran a set of used Blizzacks for 3 winters, on a 95 LT1. I had a set of summer tires till they got stolen., but anyhow those tires are the best. Stop on a dime and get out of a hole quickly and they were not horrible on the noise level. Hit up one of those mail order or better yet how bout Tomz support one of our companys on here. A good dose of lizerd skin or Por 15 on your rust prone areas and washing your car regularly your good for the winter. I wouldnt want a winter beater casue your gonna need tires for that too, not including taxes the extra maintance of an extra vehicle and insurance for that too. Just my ideas I constanly kick around too for my situation.
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 09:48 PM
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I run my 96 firebird(not the 02 WS6) in the winter time here in north east PA. We get plenty of snow and I run Cooper Weathermaster ST2s with studs. No sandbags or nothin. Awesome tire in the snow.
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 10:21 PM
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BLIZZAKS. Best there is. You actually have to buy them in a set of 4 because the grip is so insane just putting them on one axle is dangerous.
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 10:31 PM
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Both my boys ran Blizzaks on the rear last winter on their V6 Firebirds. They said they helped immensely - no problems in lots of snow. I got by on G-Force SS A/S, but this winter, I'm running Blizzaks on the rear.
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 10:34 PM
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