The Winter's Coming Winter Tires Thread

[pylon]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Since you work in a dealership, I will tell you friend of my bought a car from a dealership (not VW). He usually buys winter tires. But that time, he didn't because the salesman told him the AWD in that car was so great that he wouldn't need winter tires.

And that is a stupid salesman. For numerous reasons. A) He is full of crap. And B) He just gave up an opportunity to make his parts dept a couple hundred bucks for a set of tires.

From Sept to Feb/Mar, I would estimate 50-60% of the loans I write, have winter tires built in to them. 5 or 6 years ago, it was maybe 10%, but people are catching on which is good. For me, it kinda sucks, as banks will cap how much is borrowed on a particular car, and sometimes it will cut into the extras that make my dept money like 3M, warranties, etc.... but I would never suggest someone dump winter tires in lieu of a vanity product for the car just to make a few extra bucks. It would be a very selfish thing to do.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I just think AWD is pointless if you don't have winter tires. What's the point of AWD unless you go offroading (which I know the majority of people don't). It's pointless to have during non winter months unless you're a race car driver and need to cut corners at high speeds. Most people in Calgary want AWD for better handling in the winter months when there is snow and ice on the roads. Well, newsflash to everyone. Having winter tires beats having AWD in the winter, hands down. Of course, having both is ideal, but if you can only settle for one, don't spend the money to upgrade to AWD and get a set of winter tires instead.

Most people just want the best in case they need it. Unfortunately, even when they need it, they don't know how to use it anyways. "'Needing' AWD for winter" is like the same idiots who think they can't stay warm in winter without UGGS and a Canada Goose jacket.

I agree that anyone who thinks AWD can overcome bad tires though is stupid. However, snow tires + AWD is easily better than snow tires + FWD from a performance standpoint IMO. That being said, how many people will actually notice a difference/are able to take advantage of AWD over FWD? Extremely few.

Snow tires + AWD > Snow tires + FWD
Snow tires + FWD > All weather + AWD

[BlackArcher101]

Too much arguing over FWD vs AWD.

RWD + winters is really where the fun is

[btimbit]

There is no excuse to not have winter tires, unless they literally do not make them in your size. Proper tires is a safety feature, the same as brakes. Get them.

Cost, I can understand. If you're buying the size I am, then $1500 in rubber can be a hard pill to swallow. But remember it's for the best, and long run it works out because you're effectively doubling the life of both sets

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

So you expect family A that owns a Honda Civic to scrap their OEM all-season tires that are in perfect shape to add the expense of winter tires? You realize that studless ice and snow tires wear down extremely quickly if driven in the summer which means that family now has to purchase tires semi-annually because you think there's not an excuse to not have them?

Sorry guys but I find your stance pretty selfish.

Scrap their tires? Hell no, that's silly. Put them in storage somewhere and put them back on in the spring. Also, modern winter tires do not wear down as fast in summer as they did even 10 years ago. It is much much much better to run winters year round vs all seasons year round

[zamler]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Too much arguing over FWD vs AWD.

RWD + Baldini's is really where the fun is

fxt.

[Northendzone]

what is a good target date to put the winter tires on my rig?

I was thinking that I want it warm enough to be able to use my hose to clean off the summer tires before storing them - so perhaps somewhere around Oct 20?

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

what is a good target date to put the winter tires on my rig?

I was thinking that I want it warm enough to be able to use my hose to clean off the summer tires before storing them - so perhaps somewhere around Oct 20?

I always do it on Thanksgiving long weekend.

[Jackpot_Smooth]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

what is a good target date to put the winter tires on my rig?

I was thinking that I want it warm enough to be able to use my hose to clean off the summer tires before storing them - so perhaps somewhere around Oct 20?

I'll usually push my truck to the end of october/early november but on my car, since i run straight summers i might put them on around thanks giving.

[btimbit]

I'll be doing mid October

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Too much arguing over FWD vs AWD.

RWD + winters is really where the fun is

RWD + Winters + Traction control fuse removed is where the fun is.

[GreenLantern]

The wife needs new winter tires on her Mazda 3. Her last set were from Costco, can't argue with the value she got out of them but thought I would dig in here for any suggestions on what others are buying/putting on their sedans this year.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

The wife needs new winter tires on her Mazda 3. Her last set were from Costco, can't argue with the value she got out of them but thought I would dig in here for any suggestions on what others are buying/putting on their sedans this year.

Canadian Tire and Fountain Tire both have good sales going on right now. Other than that Costco is the way t go

[The Yen Man]

Costco is probably my first choice, but Canadian Tire has a pretty good sale on Michelin X Ice tires. It's comparable to the Bridgestones at Costco in price, and actually cheaper than their Michelins.

[Shazam]

Urban Expressions.

Only take your car to CT if you hate your wife and/or car.

[The Yen Man]

I only use CT because I get 17.5% off the final price. I agree, their tire "experts" suck. I had to order the tires on-line, and have them shipped to my local CT.

[Robo]

hello everyone i would like some expert advice if anyone has any i have 3 quotes for winter tires first quote is the goodyear wrx winter tire for a set of 4 from fountain tire for 820$ installed everything included the second quote i have is durun w/r tire 4 installed is 590$ everything included (entry level ice tire i guess)and the third quote i got is firestone winterforce used tires at 60 percent tread with 4 of the steel rims for 400$ everything installed im just wondering what to choose i dont really know what to pick it will be going on my own family suv

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by Robo

hello everyone i would like some expert advice if anyone has any i have 3 quotes for winter tires first quote is the goodyear wrx winter tire for a set of 4 from fountain tire for 820$ installed everything included the second quote i have is durun w/r tire 4 installed is 590$ everything included (entry level ice tire i guess)and the third quote i got is firestone winterforce used tires at 60 percent tread with 4 of the steel rims for 400$ everything installed im just wondering what to choose i dont really know what to pick it will be going on my own family suv

I have not heard of Durun and upon research, they appear to be an el cheapo chinese tire. I'd steer clear myself, as frankly I wouldn't want to be a guinea pig. I also can't seem to find winter tires on their website.

The Winterforce tires aren't bad, but I wouldn't buy used, and at 60% tread for $400, that's a rip off. The shop likely paid someone (if they even paid) about $20 a tire and are reselling them. If you really need to save money, look at Kijiji for used winter tires. But beware! You may be buying tires that are out of shape, impossible to balance, have been retreaded, have a hole, or are so old that the rubber is no longer soft. A good price starting point on kijiji for used car winter tires is $50 each for 50% or greater tread and $20 each for less than 50%.

For example, here's a set of 4 Nordic's (another decent tire), WITH steel wheels and 60% tread for $200. http://www.kijiji.ca/v-tires-rims/ca...ationFlag=true

If you want a decent brand for a good price, Kumho tires are fairly good.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Urban Expressions.

Only take your car to CT if you hate your wife and/or car.

Canadian Tire is #### when it comes to parts and service departments, but you just can't look away at some of the sales.

My recommendation if buying at Canadian Tire though is to not get them to install. Buy them there but take them anywhere else to have them put on.

UrbanX ftmfw though. Best service in Alberta

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Canadian Tire is #### when it comes to parts and service departments, but you just can't look away at some of the sales.

My recommendation if buying at Canadian Tire though is to not get them to install. Buy them there but take them anywhere else to have them put on.

UrbanX ftmfw though. Best service in Alberta

I think Canadian Tire stores vary from store to store. The one in my town has been pretty good compared to what I experienced in Calgary.

[Jackpot_Smooth]

Another plug for UrbanX. Always great service however i think their prices have come up are closer to other retailers. If you're lazy like me and hate trying to line up truck tires to the bolts on the hub then UrbanX is the cheapest i've found ($45 incl mount and balance).

I just recently bought a set of Cooper weathermaster tires from tireworx mobile service. Quoted the same price as UrbanX but they come to your house.