Quote:
Originally Posted by headlikeahole
This would be somewhat true for the Gsi5, however the Observe Garit are designed for performance vehicles and are very good in dry/cold weather. Very little sidewall movement so they corner nearly like summer or A/S tires.
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I've only driven on the older Observ T rated tire. I disliked them intensely but I cannot quibble with their winter performance. They were truly superb for the task.
Mind you Yokohama builds great tires. They seem a bit like Cooper: pretty big but not the biggest and they try harder as a result.
I will say that the main challenge for these cars in winter is cornering. The brakes are excellent and easy to modulate, ABS makes modulation a comfort and control thing rather than a safety factor. The grip to get going is fine due to the Torsen and two stage traction control.
The same twitchy chassis becomes even more so on very slippery stuff.
On snow or ice and with traction control fully off and a set of Sottozeros on I can easily spin this car 180 practically in its own length almost without changing lanes. I.e this car will do a handbrake turn without using the handbrake.
That means you must respect this car while driving on anything remotely slippery if you have to corner.