BRZ + Nokian Hakkapeliitta = Snowmobile

[Randoman5]

I was a little nervous facing my first winter in Cleveland in a lightweight rear drive sports car but these tires are incredible.

The car is so confidence inspiring. It passes SUVs going up hills it hardly initiates ABS on full stops and when you turn off the nannies it slides like cars slide in your dreams. It doesn’t slide until you order it to and it is sooo controllable.

I can’t think of anytime I’ve had more fun in a car. These tires are miraculous. Pics when I can figure out how to post them.

[navanodd]

Welcome to the dark side!

Some people put their cars away for the winter, I just get excited.

[Leonardo]

IMO, Best snow tires ever!

[Sarlacc]

Sorry, but "BRZ + Nokian Hakkapeliitta = Snowmobile" is pure bullshit.

You don't specify which of the 4 current types of winter tyres Nokian have on the market (Hakkapeliitta 7,8,9 or R2) you actually have, but I've driven on ALL of them.

They are all very good. The studless R2 is very good on everything except hard ice, the 8 and 9 is very good on everything except wet roads.

All in all, Nokian Hakkapeliitta makes the best winter tires I've tried, and I've tried a lot.

So why bullshit? I'm in my 6th Norwegian winter driving a GT86. And it's OK.
BUT, its's not more than OK. The light weight, RWD and low ride height makes the GT86 way below average of cars sold in Norway in recent years, in winter navigability.

I have no problem letting people drive my car, but not in winter. Norwegians are used to cars that are a lot easier to drive in winter, so I'm afraid they'll have nasty accidents if they drive my car.

So snowmobile? Nope. Not at all.
I'm guessing you haven't driven something like a Subaru Outback in serious winter conditions. That is a very good car for winter navigability, although boring and ugly the rest of the year.
And I take for granted you have never ridden on a snowmobile.

So congrats on buying a cool car and for choosing good tires for it.

- But if it gets really slippery, please drive carefully on public roads. Very, very carefully.

[churchx]

I'm on HK8. My experience mirrors yours, good at most situations, but rather skiddy on wet tarmac. And agree on OK but far from best overall possible experience for winter driving.
Still, that "OK" is sufficient to drive easy & safe enough to manage normal driving throughout winter season without resorting of more fit vehicles use, and that's what matters.

[Leonardo]

HK7's on my AWD Ridgeline. Way better than iPikes.

[JazzleSAURUS]

Originally Posted by Sarlacc

Sorry, but "BRZ + Nokian Hakkapeliitta = Snowmobile" is pure bullshit.

You don't specify which of the 4 current types of winter tyres Nokian have on the market (Hakkapeliitta 7,8,9 or R2) you actually have, but I've driven on ALL of them.

They are all very good. The studless R2 is very good on everything except hard ice, the 8 and 9 is very good on everything except wet roads.

All in all, Nokian Hakkapeliitta makes the best winter tires I've tried, and I've tried a lot.

So why bullshit? I'm in my 6th Norwegian winter driving a GT86. And it's OK.
BUT, its's not more than OK. The light weight, RWD and low ride height makes the GT86 way below average of cars sold in Norway in recent years, in winter navigability.

I have no problem letting people drive my car, but not in winter. Norwegians are used to cars that are a lot easier to drive in winter, so I'm afraid they'll have nasty accidents if they drive my car.

So snowmobile? Nope. Not at all.
I'm guessing you haven't driven something like a Subaru Outback in serious winter conditions. That is a very good car for winter navigability, although boring and ugly the rest of the year.
And I take for granted you have never ridden on a snowmobile.

So congrats on buying a cool car and for choosing good tires for it.

- But if it gets really slippery, please drive carefully on public roads. Very, very carefully.

I think if we look past the obvious reality that his car, indeed, isn't actually a snowmobile, the intent is that a GOOD winter tire allows this car to navigate all but extreme winters admirably. The chassis dynamics and great differential help make up for the things that make this car harder to drive in the winter, like light weight, low ride height, and RWD.

To OP, glad the winters are working out for you. You made a great choice, (any of,) the Hakkas are great tires and some of the best on the market, but don't know you're in something more suited for the snow.

Heavy AWD Subaru's are genuinely outrageous in the snow compared to these.

[Cole]

Not sure OP has ever actually driven another vehicle in the winter time.

I'd take my work truck 9 times out of 10 over the FRS. More clearance, AWD or 4WD and a much more comfortable ride.

[churchx]

Cole: it's fun drifting twins on snow/ice though. LOT of fun.

[JazzleSAURUS]

Originally Posted by churchx

Cole: it's fun drifting twins on snow/ice though. LOT of fun.

I think 2" is where the fun begins to drop off a bit, and it slowly turns into a chore/PITA after that, even running Forester size tires and a 3/8" spacer, (about a 1" lift total.)

We routinely get snowfall greater than 6", so anytime snow is coming greater than a 3" forecast I take the Forester.

[8RZ]

I'm glad I live in Florida sometimes lol, welcome.

[churchx]

JazzleSAURUS: i'm at stock height, without any lift. Unless snow is above front buldozer shaped bumper it was all ok (hmm, wasn't stock ground clearance some 124mm (4.9")?). Pitty that unlike for routinely used for rallying imprezas, for twins making CF engine & bumper protection pan due one-off anew-mold will cost 3x times as much as for some wrx, if I'll ever decide on going a bit more rally route

[Cole]

Originally Posted by churchx

Cole: it's fun drifting twins on snow/ice though. LOT of fun.

Well aware. I have winter for approximately 4 or 5 months per year, and for the first winter I had the car, it was my daily, sun, rain or snow.

Now that I don't HAVE to drive the car every single day, I often choose not to. I'm positive that of those on here who have the option of driving another vehicle, are often glad they have the choice.

Originally Posted by JazzleSAURUS

I think 2" is where the fun begins to drop off a bit, and it slowly turns into a chore/PITA after that, even running Forester size tires and a 3/8" spacer, (about a 1" lift total.)

We routinely get snowfall greater than 6", so anytime snow is coming greater than a 3" forecast I take the Forester.

Entirely agree with this statement. Nice to be able to drive the truck and not have to think "hmm, I shouldn't risk taking this route because there's a chance it hasn't been plowed yet." With the truck it has a leveling kit(so not full on lifted, but noticeable when parked beside stock Silverados) and somewhat aggressive tires (general grabber2's) I rarely need to worry about where I'm going if there's pavement.

[Sarlacc]

Originally Posted by JazzleSAURUS

I think if we look past the obvious reality that his car, indeed, isn't actually a snowmobile, the intent is that a GOOD winter tire allows this car to navigate all but extreme winters admirably.

I'm feeling quarrelsome today.... -"admirably" is too strong a word, IMHO. Can we agree on "adequately"?

Originally Posted by JazzleSAURUS

The chassis dynamics and great differential help make up for the things that make this car harder to drive in the winter, like light weight, low ride height, and RWD.

Still quarrelsome... The diff, absolutely! I have not been so stuck I needed help to get out in my GT86 yet; with an open diff I'd probably be a popsicle by a lonely mountain road by now.
But chassis dynamics? Doesn't feel like it matters much in low traction, low speed, and low G's conditions.

Originally Posted by JazzleSAURUS

To OP, glad the winters are working out for you. You made a great choice, (any of,) the Hakkas are great tires and some of the best on the market, but don't know you're in something more suited for the snow.

Uhm... Nope, just agree

Originally Posted by JazzleSAURUS

Heavy AWD Subaru's are genuinely outrageous in the snow compared to these.

They are! AWD Volvos are good, too. And very boring the rest of the year.