Chicago. Winter. Sh*t....

[Draco-REX]

Summer tires for the summer, winter tires for the winter. Best tools for the job at all times. And you'll get just as much use out of them since you're using each set for only half the year.


..and I'll stop my rant on all-seasons and those who buy them before I start...

[meeskee2]

I live in New England. I have not gone through a full winter yet (bought my car at the end of Feb.) but I would recommend getting a good set of snows on steel wheels. It costs a little more up front for the extra wheels but it sure beats paying to mount and balance twice a year, just my opinion.

[KKaWing]

Just keep in mind below 45 degrees F (7 degrees C), no-seasons turns hard. This makes the tire have less traction, even if it is above freezing. This is especially true in the wet/rain. Think hard plastic (Cantonese pun in there...) wheels on those playskool power wheels or w/e.

You spread the wear over two sets of tires so cost is basically offset. Added benefit is the ability to point and laugh at people stuck in snow banks (in the city of course, and do at least ask if they need to use your cell in the boonies... just a nice thing to do).

[Dezoris]

I chicago area, got cheap alloys and Blizzak WS70 for winter. Last year was fine, despite me ruining the rear tires after 6 months. (Rotate often)

[KKaWing]

Oh before I forget, Costco sells their steelies part #: X40867 for $45.99 ea. shipped here in Canada. They're hub centric and all that so should fit perfectly. I would guess a similar deal would be available in the states as well.

[Turbowned]

Buy a $1000 beater if you have a place to park it. I won't be driving mine in the snow. Not 'cause I don't think it will handle well, but because I don't want to ruin it with salt and snow.

[SciOnDrifTtSlIdeR]

cant go wrong with a nice set of winters,

[spdfreak]

My plan is to burn off the stock tires this season and slap some winter tires on the OEM wheels. Then, come spring, I'll have a set of nice wheels and sticky tires to put on.
The stockers will remain my winter wheels. Did that with the speed6 and it worked out great. Skinny winter tires can really handle in the snow.

[BRZBlack]

Decided that putting some winters with 17' steel wheels and keep the stock ones with the stock rubber in storage until spring. First upgrade after winter is a nicer set of summer tires. No plans on getting coilovers/wheels or anything til maybe 2015. Thanks for the input everyone.:happy0180:

[BRZBlack]

One more thing: what about the sensors? Get a new set of them or have the origionals transfered over? Any idea how much they cost for 4/each?

[rbizzle004]

I live in southern WI (Rock County). I drove last year with winter tires on steeliness with no TPMS with no issues at all

[Laika]

Originally Posted by BRZBlack

One more thing: what about the sensors? Get a new set of them or have the origionals transfered over? Any idea how much they cost for 4/each?

What do you need the sensors for? A tire pressure gauge is pretty cheap and you should be checking tire pressures more often when there's drastic temperature changes.

16" steel wheels + general altimax arctics gets my vote. I paid $700 shipped for this setup from tirerack. Spare set of wheels means I can just change them on my own volition whenever I want. I personally love the utilitarian steel wheel look, even on a sports car because it doesn't have the "ghetto" factor of a 90's corolla with steel wheels. Instead it has the look of a purpose built vehicle capable of doubling as a blizzard rescue vehicle.

I've had a RWD car before and it was miserable in the snow even with the right tires, this car is fantastic. Up to a point, the altimax arctics grip better in light snow than the stock summer tires do in the dry.

[AznBRZer]

Originally Posted by BRZBlack

Decided that putting some winters with 17' steel wheels and keep the stock ones with the stock rubber in storage until spring. First upgrade after winter is a nicer set of summer tires. No plans on getting coilovers/wheels or anything til maybe 2015. Thanks for the input everyone.:happy0180:

Save yourself some money and get 16's. Driving without TPMS is fine too. That's what I'm planning to do.

[wheelhaus]

Originally Posted by BRZBlack

One more thing: what about the sensors? Get a new set of them or have the origionals transfered over? Any idea how much they cost for 4/each?

If you are only mounting tires to the OEM wheels, I believe the sensors can be reused. If you're getting a cheap set of black steelies, I recommend 16's and don't bother with the TPMS sensors. This will save cash in the long run by not paying for mount and balance twice each year to swap snows. The tire "!" will illuminate intermittently on occasion, but it didn't bother me. I just considered it a reminder that I'm on my snow tires.