How does the FRS/BRZ handle the PA snow?

[Hoahao]

Get a set of snow tires on seperate rims, or maybe get a beater Corolla when you get there. A Corolla will run 1500-2000 bucks. The lands pretty flat around Houston as I recall. I suspect you'll like driving an FRS in the hilly country around Pittsburgh more.

[slim blanco]

Originally Posted by redwing634

You guys use stock rims with the winter tires?

i picked up an extra set of oem wheels to put snow tires on. i'm on stock size hankook ipike rs snow tires and they've been great for me so far. this hasn't been the worst winter, but the way i go to work isn't usually plowed that well or at all, and i feel very confident on these tires. i went one snow storm on the stock tires and it was sketchy at times haha. i usually disable the traction control just in case things get slippery, but if you understand how to drive a car, you'll be fine on snow with snow tires as long as you take it easy. i'm not by pittsburgh, but just over the pa border in nj.

[PandaSPUR]

Originally Posted by dem00n

OEM wheels are best choice.
The lighet weight tuning wheels such as RPF1's aren't ideal for winter...

I expect about 5-7 years out of the OEM wheels with the winter potholes here in Long Island. They're already taking a bit of a beating, but they'll be fine for a few more seasons.

Originally Posted by slim blanco

i picked up an extra set of oem wheels to put snow tires on. i'm on stock size hankook ipike rs snow tires and they've been great for me so far. this hasn't been the worst winter, but the way i go to work isn't usually plowed that well or at all, and i feel very confident on these tires. i went one snow storm on the stock tires and it was sketchy at times haha. i usually disable the traction control just in case things get slippery, but if you understand how to drive a car, you'll be fine on snow with snow tires as long as you take it easy. i'm not by pittsburgh, but just over the pa border in nj.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the thin 7.5" stock wheels actually work better in snow than say a wider tire right?

[dem00n]

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the thin 7.5" stock wheels actually work better in snow than say a wider tire right?

For snow, less tire patch is ideal. Honestly, running an 8 inch wheels with 215 sized snow tires, is not going to make a big difference then a 7.5".

Some people on here run a 205 sized tire. Since i'm not driving on the snow everyday on winter, i rather run a 215 for standard fitment and extra grip.

Though i'm sure there are certain 205 sized snow tires that are actually wider than 215 tires. Etc, etc.

You'll be fine.

[sb]

It's not a bad idea to check the Tri-State classifieds on NASIOC. You could pick up a set of old WRX wheels pretty cheap, sometimes with winter tires already mounted.

At least thats what I did.

As far as driving in the snow, everyone else already said it: RWD w/ winter tires > All-season FWD (and some AWD). Just be patient and cautious.

[Pkush]

I got the tire rack's "sport tuning" minus size (16) off of a dude that sold his frs. got the set with winter tires for $600. pretty good deal if you ask me, and they aren't as bad as steelies

[opened1]

I've got 205/55 16 inch ws70. No real problems as long as I'm not plowing through like 8 inches of snow.

[SubaruLifer]

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the thin 7.5" stock wheels actually work better in snow than say a wider tire right?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the stock wheels are 7" wide, aren't they?

OP, I bought a set of inexpensive wheels from TireRack that were on clearance and mounted Conti EWCs onto them and have had no issues so far (outside of spinning the tires a little when I wasn't thinking and started in first instead of second at a stop sign).

[Maximal]

Good read for the AWD with crap tires vs RWD with snow tires: http://jalopnik.com/heres-irrefutabl...hle-1671708207

With that said the other week on the highway a BRZ blew past me driving my Jeep on snow covered roads without an issue.

[zc06_kisstherain]

as long as you have winter tires, should be fine.
i drive my car winter only few times so i still use my OEM summer tires on winter and it really sucks..

[smacdon]

I've been living in PA for 3 years now and have had my FRS for 2 of those winters. I run general altimax studded snow tires and have no problem. Before with the stock tires I couldnt go anywhere with any snow, but now I've been in snow up to the bottom of the doors with no issues as long as its fluffy. I learned growing up in MA that good snow tires make a world of a difference.

[FRSupra]

@redwing634

PA winter's don't get bad until late. October through December typically doesn't yield much more than a few dustings or maybe an inch. January and February though is where it becomes tricky, and once accumulation occurs it typically continues little by little everyday though those two months. You might go into January with nothing on the ground and get snow the first week, and not have clear ground again until March.

The thing about PA is the roads are terrible and PennDot uses an extreme profusion of road salt, even when it is not needed. This alone is worse than high amounts of snow. The roads stay white for weeks, the salt dust lingers in the air. Your car will be subject to salt debris chips and it will happen no matter how careful you are. The past couple years it's been in the low teens, to negative temperatures which cause car washes to stay closed.

If you're bringing you car here, it's smart to have a heated garage with a drain so you can wash it. Keep it stored as much as you can in winter and drive a beater for those two months.

OP, one last thing. A lot of PA drivers hold their car very low on their value scale in life, and they will do the same for your car. Don't be surprised to see expensive and brand new cars staying caked and becoming rusted while you're getting cut off and sprayed with debris. Pennsylvania drivers are some of the worst and it's rather embarrassing. It will be a lot different than Huston.

[Thrilled]

Just finished second winter in Philly area with FR-S. On the stock tires, the first winter had some real white knuckle moments. So, I did way too much reading on winter tires and got Nokian Hakkas just in time for our first slushy day. The rest of the winter was a real treat. It wasn't like driving on train tracks like my previous AWD Subaru sedans, but it was entirely predictable. It does exactly what you want and expect in the slush, ice, and snow. You'll know if it's not entirely happy and have plenty of time to do adapt.

[redwing634]

Originally Posted by Thrilled

Just finished second winter in Philly area with FR-S. On the stock tires, the first winter had some real white knuckle moments. So, I did way too much reading on winter tires and got Nokian Hakkas just in time for our first slushy day. The rest of the winter was a real treat. It wasn't like driving on train tracks like my previous AWD Subaru sedans, but it was entirely predictable. It does exactly what you want and expect in the slush, ice, and snow. You'll know if it's not entirely happy and have plenty of time to do adapt.

did you put those tires on the stock rims or get new rims? And how much do a set of those tires typically cost?