Tire suggestion for CA winter

[nicebloke]

Hi there - did a search and couldn't find anything that really answered my question. I have a 91 LSi with WRX alloys, and it's time for new rubber. I know I'll be up at Tahoe in the snow at least twice this winter so wuld like something with reasonable grip in the snow, but don't think I want snow tires per se since 99% of the time I'll be driving around San Francisco in either the dry or rain.

Is there such a thing as an "all-weather" tire? Any recommendations for something not too expensive that I can get in 205/50ZR16? I'd like the 50s as opposed to the 55s to have a more accurate speedo.

I'm a motorcycle guy so haven't bought car tires in years, hence my bone-head questions.

[jamal]

I hear the Pirelli PZero Nero M+S is good

I'm probably going to settle for Kuhmo ASXs because they're cheap.

If you want to order online, I've heard good things about the Avon Tech M550

Nasioc has tire reviews, as well.

[dscoobydoo]

I have the Pirellis on the RS and the Kumho ASX's on the Maxima. I know the Pirelli's work ok in the snow, and the Kumho's look like they would be good also ( but have yet to find out)

[Manarius]

Sorry to be a cheapass, but I like my Cooper Lifeliners. They have a lot of rubber on them and they aren't that expensive. I have 195's on my car, they're 1 hell of a tire for snow.

[LaureltheQueen]

I absolutely love my Bridgestone Potenza RE950s. They grip nearly as well as a 750(summer tire) in dry, but perform amazingly in rain, and from what I hear, rather well in snow as well. I'll be able to report back to you on that in a few months. These are great tires, but you pay for them. With my hookup price at firestone, I think I got them for around $500 installed with the road hazard warranty.

[professor]

Yokohama avid V4 = good tire, nice balance of grip, sidewall stiffness, good rain traction, we'll find out about snow

this is the best rated all-season performance tire in this size on tirerack.com for less than $100, in fact $82 which isn't cheap but I hate bad tires

it is very quiet also which is nice. so much better than RE-92's that it isn't even funny, in all conditions

[Subtle]

Been running Toyo Proxes 4--205 55 16 on older Forester
wheels for one year now. Best I've ever had in the rain. Rated all-season ,I've found I've not needed snows on
frequent trips to Whistler Mtn. They have been good on muddy back roads as well.

Speed-rated to 149mph, Toyo also claims they can take some moderate track time. Haven't tested the latter two yet.

[scottzg]

I've run summer tires at tahoe without incident. It rarely snows there, just keep it slow going down the hill.

[AWD_addict]

Yokohama YK420 is a decent tire for all road conditions.
Seems to lose snow ability in about 10 inches of slush (but that might've been due to that car's ground clearance).

[greg donovan]

Yokohama avid V4 = good tire, nice balance of grip, sidewall stiffness, good rain traction, we'll find out about snow

this is the best rated all-season performance tire in this size on tirerack.com for less than $100, in fact $82 which isn't cheap but I hate bad tires

it is very quiet also which is nice. so much better than RE-92's that it isn't even funny, in all conditions

i second the vote for these tires. i have the H4 (next lower speed rating than the V4) on my wagon. they were very good when new and pretty good now that they are on their last winter.

[Legacy294]

Nicebloke,

You should run 14"s or 15"s for the Winter. Something skinnier w/ a taller sidewall does much better than a wide low profile HP tire, which acts more like snow skate.. Look at the sort of snow tires they run in WRC, super skinny (155) and very tall (75) with lots of bite. = more weight on the contact patch.

It will also cost less for the set up (rims and tires) than just the set of 16" tires. 185/70 r14 or 195/65 r15 will work well for your application. Costco sells some decent BF Goodrich all seasons for less tha $100 ea. Have also run General all seasons and Toyos with good luck.

Didn't even know you were on this board..