The downside of buying a new Mustang, is that I have to use it this winter to get to work. I picked up a set of 17" wheels off Craigslist. Now I need to pick a set of killer winter tires.

Using Tire Rack, seem like Dunlop Winter Sports get the nod. Calling local shops, none recommended those as their first choice. A small local shop recommended Nokian Hakkapelliitas. Another recommended Goodyear Eagle UG. Got a few other recommendations, but they seemed to be selling me what they had, rather than what they would seem to say is "best". BF Goodrich WinterForce was another.

Consumer Reports put the Goodyears above the Nokian, but I have limited trust of Consumer Reports. Price-wise, they are about the same $$.

Since I'm going to live with the choice probably for 3 - 4 winters (assuming I keep the car that long).

Bridgestone Blizzak is another fairly well known winter tire, used by folks at work. Local price-wise, they are the most expensive.

Any other recommendations for a killer tire for a rear-drive?

Thx,

Jim,
Are you trying to crash the site again. You have a double negitive in your heading. A 5 letter "w" word followed by the "s" word. Shame on you

good luck with the tire search cause they suck to drive in the "w".

Snow tire talk on Labor Day. Who am I to talk, I am going to winterize the boat in 3 weeks.

If you can get Nokian Hakkas that is the way to go. Only reason I don't have them on the Subaru is they wren't available when I bought mine.

It's amazing how many "winter" tires I can find online that look like they'd be totally useless in 4" of snow.

I notice Cooper sells winter tires that actually look like winter tires. Having driven on 'the greatest snow on earth' for 28 years, I can safely say that snow tires that don't look like snow tires suck. If you're going to the trouble of buying actual snow tires instead of typical year-round "M&S" winter tires, then it doesn't matter what brand they are, as long as they have an aggressive tread similar to these, they'll work in the snow as well as anything...



One more thing---go with tires as narrow as your car and ego can handle. Wide snow tires, aren't.

Putting some weight in the trunk can't hurt. Soon as the white stuff starts flying my new stang is going into hybernation. Good luck. My friends wife has an 06 GT & they tried using it in the winter and finally gave up.

I have Dunlop Graspics on my car all Winter. They work great in snow. That said, I don't know anyone that regretted buying Hakkas

Snow Tires? In September?

Maybe a good time to do the research on them, though.

I particular like America's Tire / Discount Tire.

Yup. Research now, ready to buy when the sales come. The won't go on the car until November, hopefully. Didn't want to wait until they are hard to get and the lines are long.

Thanks!

Don't expect Hakkas to go on sale. I know in Northern Nevada they sell out at the beginning of winter.

I bought a set of Blizzak DMZ3s for my Honda Odyssey last winter. Found a wholesale price in New Jersey for a set of 4 new Honda OEM steel wheels at $167 delivered! The local Honda dealer wanted $105 each.

I put them back on again this fall. After 2" of new snow and falling temps where the snow packed streets got REALLY slippery, I am AMAZED at how these work. I have an AWD Subaru with fresh all-season tires and a Highlander with decent all-terrains. NO COMPARISON IN TURNING AND BRAKING. In deeper snow, acceleration is not quite same as AWD. On ice or really slick, it is better.

I went with a slightly narrower tire (225 vs. std. 235) and went up in series (65 to 70 I believe) to keep the same diameter. AS FR says, narrower is better in the snow - especially on a performance car where you've got a 245-255 wide tread. They look great, but tend to push snow instead of biting in. Fitting -1 or -2" rim from a lower performance version of your car is another route if If they will clear your brakes. Likely they cost less than the low-profile sizes...and who cares if your snow tires are speed rated for 120+ mph?

My 4th set of Blizzaks. 2 each of WS-50s and DMZ3.