Worth it to put on winter tires in Feb in GTA?

[Slick]

I am running Michelin Alpins, and last week with the deep freeze I was sliding all over the place (well, maybe a bit was my fault).
Even with my winters on, my traction has been compromised.

So I can easily visualize you sliding right through an intersection or a turn with your summers on.


If you are not prepared to put proper tires on, please leave it parked.

Or at least tell us when and where you decide to drive so we can stay away.

[chermo12]

Thanks everyone for all your feedback! Looking outside this morning, I saw a few cars sliding around. Don't want that to be me.

So, I'm definitely installing winter tires. Will try to get it done the same day I pick it up. :happy0180:

[Tdotmale]

OP,

how much do you value your car and your insurance, if something were to happen and you didn't have the tires on?

answer that and then you will know the answer to your question.

[Wattage]

I would not have been able to drive my car today if I didn't have my snow tires.

So yeah I would recommend getting some. Even if you only use them for a month or two right now.... its not like you won't use them next winter.

[BioRage]

Even with winter tires the 86 slides like cray.

:P

[Slick]

Originally Posted by BioRage

Even with winter tires the 86 slides like cray.

:P

Isn't that the best part?

[Sport-Tech]

Try having a partial seize-up of a rear disk caliper while driving on the 401 in 10 cm of snow, then you'll know the meaning of dangerous driving. Scariest drive of my life, even at 40 kph.

[f0rge]

JRP has a good idea on Hankook ipikes if you check the canadian classifieds, should be around $800 installed.

I went with that tire on the stock 17's and i'm relatively pleased. they are by no means a performance winter tire but they've gotten me through the couple of decent snowfalls we've had in toronto this year so far.

[Skurj]

Tell the dealer you don't want the tires it comes on from the factory, and you want them swapped for snows as part of the deal.

Then start shopping for your summer wheels and tires.

[chermo12]

I'm a fan of OEM wheels and kinda wanted the JDM 16"'s for my winter setup.
Personally, I don't like the steelies look and the JDM 16"'s are hard to get/pricey.

So I'm going to put winters on my stock 17"'s.

I emailed a few shops in GTA and narrowed my options to:

205/50/17:
A) Hankook iPike w409
B) Continental ExtremeWinterContact
C) Michelin xi2 or xi3

As for my stock summers, part of me wants to keep them and see how the car feels with that intended playfulness that the engineers intended. Other half wants to get 18"'s with grippy tires and lower 0.5" -1" for improved looks/handling.

Something to think about in the 2 cold months left. Lol

[f0rge]

Originally Posted by chermo12

As for my stock summers, part of me wants to keep them and see how the car feels with that intended playfulness that the engineers intended.

Winter tires have like half as much dry grip as those POS Michelins, you'll be going sideways all winter.

[Skurj]

I told the dealer to keep the stock tires, but I'm also not picking the car up until late march, and bringing my own 18's with me.

Next fall, if the BRZ is my DD, I'll be putting snows on the OEM wheels. I might though keep my current car for winter if I can get storage for cheap..

[klassick]

Hey everyone I'm new here, just picked up my FRS a few days ago. I was in the same dilemma as OP and I decided not to grab winter tires. After driving in tonights weather and getting stuck on the road twice. I have decided to grab some to avoid this happening again. Anyone know if any places are having sales at the moment since winter is almost done?

[YangerD]

Originally Posted by klassick

Hey everyone I'm new here, just picked up my FRS a few days ago. I was in the same dilemma as OP and I decided not to grab winter tires. After driving in tonights weather and getting stuck on the road twice. I have decided to grab some to avoid this happening again. Anyone know if any places are having sales at the moment since winter is almost done?

Check out Simply Tire. They usually have some pretty good deals. They had a huge group buy before winter actually came along with a lot of forums but that's done now I believe.