Don't even know why I'm asking but everyone says they're totally worth it and it's like driving a different car. Considering getting them for the winter for my Outback. Everyone swears by them and that they help tremendously for braking and cornering.

Thoughts?

9/11/2013 11:36:18 AM

If I was living in CO I would definitely get them. Hell if I was living in PA/NJ/NY I'd have a set of snow tires for the winter.

AWD helps you accelerate in the snow/ice but it doesn't do a thing to help you turn or stop.

9/11/2013 12:52:42 PM

AWD helps you accelerate in the snow/ice but it doesn't do a thing to help you turn or stop.

9/11/2013 1:08:29 PM

Okay sure if you're turning while giving the car a fair amount of throttle. Any other turning scenario...no it doesn't.

9/11/2013 1:38:57 PM

Yeah leaning towards a set of blizzaks:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Blizzak+LM-50+RFT&partnum=26R7BZLM50RFT&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Subaru&autoYear=2014&autoModel=Outback&autoModClar=2.5i%20Premium

Can get the entire set for $568. Debating whether to get new rims so swapping is easy or just pay someone to swap them out with my existing OEM rims the first season.

9/11/2013 2:55:13 PM

of course you should buy rims, just get cheap steel rims

9/11/2013 2:57:41 PM

^yep.

plus that way you don't have to worry about keeping your nice, fancy wheels clean of all the salt/slag they put down.

9/11/2013 3:11:05 PM

Good point. Will probably do that.

9/11/2013 3:13:33 PM

We rented a condo at Keystone from Nov - Mar so we'll be doing that drive probably every weekend for ski season.

9/11/2013 3:16:34 PM

you need snow tires on an outback?? are you rallycrossing now?!?!?

the NC surplus warehouse had some snowtires last year. $20 each. they were studded. but for $20, they worked well for snow, ice and dirt

9/11/2013 4:17:22 PM

It's a common misconception that just because you have a truck/suv/etc you can drive in snow. AWD really only gives you more power to all wheels and MAY help with traction assuming you have the right tires. Snow tires are pretty key.

I don't want studded because I'll be driving to work as well during the week. Fri-Mon I'll be in snow.

9/11/2013 4:20:33 PM

yes.. we all know.. but the fact is that it doesnt snow down here (unless you live somewhere else). thats why we bust balls.

winterforce tires are pretty good. they wont pack the snow in and good in the wet with the sipes on it. blizzaks are good too.

but i picked up some older winterforce (like 1-2 models old) from the surplus warehouse. studs wont hurt anything (except maybe the road if 1000 people have studs). they'll most likely fall out while driving. i wouldnt invest too much in snow tires. unless you really really want them. or unless you rallyX on the side.

9/11/2013 4:25:37 PM

I'm pretty sure studs are illegal in just about every state.

9/11/2013 4:34:22 PM

hmm. yeah i remember reading that. i know theyre illegal in most states. not sure if i ever looked it up for NC. i think i read that they're def. illegal in states that have a lot of snow due to more snow tires.

http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/laws/studded-tires/

permitted in NC. interesting
looks like they are permitted in almost every state. i would have thought the other way

[Edited on September 11, 2013 at 4:44 PM. Reason : ]

9/11/2013 4:41:11 PM

Sorry forgot to mention. I live in Denver and will be driving in some legit snow every weekend. Defin. going to invest in snow tires.

9/11/2013 4:44:53 PM

^^weird!

9/11/2013 4:58:46 PM

I'm gonna take the s2000 to Canada during the winter

9/11/2013 5:41:09 PM

Quote :

"I'm pretty sure studs are illegal in just about every state."

Most states that get significant snowfall allow seasonal use of studded tires. Most people I knew in CT, MA, NH, NY had them on the car during the winter if they lived in the areas that are hilly.

9/12/2013 1:22:35 PM

Yeah if you live in Denver it's dumb not to

If you live anywhere out side the mountains south of pa it's dumb to get them unless you have a rwd car or have no idea how to drive in the snow.


The best description I've given a southerner about driving in the snow is

" ever driven a jet ski? Drive like that
You have nearly no brakes unless you want to lose steering
You have barely any steering unless you give is a little throttle
Turn the wheel too hard in one direction and give it too much throttle and you'll do donuts
But if you look a head, plan ahead and drive with half a brain you'll do fine"

9/12/2013 4:34:40 PM

I had an Evo IX with limited slip diffs in the front, rear, and center...and it still was very underwhelming in the snow on Azenis or AO48 rubber. I took it skiing multiple times up in WA and it always served the purpose, but I would keep a set of at least moderately winter-ish wheels/tires if I was going to live long-term in a snowy location.

9/13/2013 12:49:20 AM

On my legacy gt even modded when it snowed and I wanted to go play in it, it didn't want to let go still.
But that was on conti dws and with me driving it. My friend tried to turn hiss once in the parking lot under braking locked em up slid into a curb and broke a pro-drive wheel.

9/13/2013 7:21:55 AM