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#16
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Re: 2014 Snow Tires
Being a mechanic in Colorado I have the benefit of driving multiple subarus with snow tires on the same day. Direct comparison on outbacks I would say blizzak is the best non studded tire as far as grip but feal soft when driving in warmer weather. The Michelin has slightly less traction but a better feel. The goodyears make a lot of noise but grip ok. The continentals grip more like an all season and wear quickly. If going with studs arctic claws by cooper grip great but are very noisy, these are very cheap though. Hankook is noisey driving slow but quiet on the highway due to offset stud pattern.
Sometimes we have so many outbacks we have to write the plate number on the key tag because if you write maroon outback we might have three. Maroon outback for head gaskets might be two.
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Current Stable: 1992 SVX 1979 K5 Blazer Cheyenne 1956 Plymouth Belvedere - Daisy 1967 Chevy C20 1953 Chevy 210 1969 Plymouth Satellite 1949 Chevy Thriftmaster 1959 Chevy Apache 1951 Chevy Stepside 1969 Chevy Camper Special 1978 Ford F150 w/ stroked 460 1986 Volvo 740 turbo wagon 1999 GMC 2500 Creep Van 1994 Impreza Outback |
#17
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Re: 2014 Snow Tires
Thanks for the practical comparison. My son and his SVX are at college in Northern PA, so more snow and ice. Seems like the Blizzak WS-80 or the Michelin X-Ice might be best for his SVX. My daughter is Southeast of me, with less snow. I'm thinking that the Blizzak LM-32, Dunlop winter 4D, or Pirelli SottozeroIII (higher performance tire but a little less snow/ice traction) might be better for her SVX, especially with the way she drives (spirited). Have you driven any cars with the LM-32's?
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Carpe Diem 1994 LSi Laguna Blue 93K 1996 LSi Ebony Pearl 84K 1997 LSi Polo Green 56K 1997 LSi Polo Green 17K 1992 Liquid Silver 206K (parts) 2009 Legacy GT Spec B 46K 2000 Volvo XC70 201K |
#18
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Re: 2014 Snow Tires
Those were the Revo1's, which are discontinued now. I got 4 winters out of them (including a couple Snow-X seasons), gave them to a friend who got another year out of them, and then sold them for $100. My only complaint was dry weather handling. I had to make a sharp lane change to avoid some debris and it felt like the tires tried to move over but the car didn't come along. My suspension was pretty shot at the time though - leaking/clunking struts, broken end links...
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Chris 92 Ebony Mica LS-L "A Rolling Restoration": 223,250 KM - Sleeping 2007 STi 6MT, Stance GR+ coilovers, PWR Rad, JDM hood badge, svxfiles 6000K HIDs, JDM Clear Corners, $15/15 min mod, $20/20 min mod, Energy Swaybar Bushings, Hella Supertones horns, Gold STi BBS rims, Group A lightweight crank pulley, A/C system removed, Custom header-back exhaust, Hybrid carbon/metal rear sway bar, restored headlights with CCFL halos 2008 Subaru Legacy Spec B - Diamond Grey Metallic - Sold 2020 Ram 1500 Longhorn - Red Pearl |
#19
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Re: 2014 Snow Tires
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I used to look at the speed ratings to tell the difference between the types of winter tires but that doesn't work as well anymore because the speed rating of the pure ice/snow tires has gone up. In Michelin, the Alpin PA3 is the 'performance winter' tire I prefer in my region' the X-Ice Xi3 is the one aimed at folks who do more ice/snow driving. In Bridgestone, LM-32 is performance, WS-80 is ice/snow. TireRack appears to separate them into 'performance winter' and 'studless ice & snow' categories.
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1995 Caterham 7 Twincam 2002 Porsche 911 targa -- now with FSI 4.0L power! 2007 BMW 328i Cabriolet 2012 Tacoma 4wd v6 Access Cab 2013 Mercedes E350 4Matic Wagon 2005 STi - totaled after 10 great years 1994 SVX LSi 5spd - sold but not forgotten 2000 Legacy GT 5spd sedan - gone after 150K miles of bliss |
#20
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Re: 2014 Snow Tires
I'm happy with my General Altmax Actic. I'm sure all the tires you have all mentioned are superior but these are decent performers for a low cost snow tire. They have been nice to have going up the snowy backroads around the ski ares.
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1992 LSL ebony pearl 170k - Thank you Ron Mummert Reading Box of Wine Car ----------------------------------- 1992 SVX LSL 5-Speed Sold at 180K 2019 1995 SVX Lsi Polo Sold at 118K 2007 |
#21
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Re: 2014 Snow Tires
Hi Sean. I'm also considering those although I'm leaning towards the higher speed rated tires. I've heard that they are very good in snow. How would you rate their dry and wet road handling?
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Carpe Diem 1994 LSi Laguna Blue 93K 1996 LSi Ebony Pearl 84K 1997 LSi Polo Green 56K 1997 LSi Polo Green 17K 1992 Liquid Silver 206K (parts) 2009 Legacy GT Spec B 46K 2000 Volvo XC70 201K |
#22
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Re: 2014 Snow Tires
They feel softer and a bit spongier than my summer tires but otherwise they are fine on both wet and dry roads. I've never noticed any issues. They are quiet on the highway as well. However I will say that I do not generally drive the car aggressively.
You can come take it for a ride if you want, I think we are close to each other.
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1992 LSL ebony pearl 170k - Thank you Ron Mummert Reading Box of Wine Car ----------------------------------- 1992 SVX LSL 5-Speed Sold at 180K 2019 1995 SVX Lsi Polo Sold at 118K 2007 |
#23
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Re: 2014 Snow Tires
I don't know how 'superior' one brand might be over another. I was putting a ton of highway miles on my cars back when I bought those, and tires (and brakes!) were not an item I wanted to skimp on. For an occasional driver, I would definitely consider something that saved me a few $ and still gave decent performance. It sounds like those Generals might be just that.
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1995 Caterham 7 Twincam 2002 Porsche 911 targa -- now with FSI 4.0L power! 2007 BMW 328i Cabriolet 2012 Tacoma 4wd v6 Access Cab 2013 Mercedes E350 4Matic Wagon 2005 STi - totaled after 10 great years 1994 SVX LSi 5spd - sold but not forgotten 2000 Legacy GT 5spd sedan - gone after 150K miles of bliss |
#24
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Re: 2014 Snow Tires
The consistant thing I hear, is the Bridgestone are the best traction, when they are new. Whne they wear 1 season, they are about done, and when the tread is about 1/2 to only 1/3rd gone, they are like hard hockey pucks, all the soft tread is gone when they still show a lot of tread left.
I have heard, consistantly, that Michelin, Nokian, etc,the tread is soft all the way til the tire is bald, so you can get 5 years or so out of them before they become hockey pucks. looking for used snow tires, I would stay away from Blizzacks, and go with the other brands.
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1985 Brat GL 138k 91 CRX Si 40k 91 CRX Si 155k 97 SVX Lsi 70k 2003 s2000 91 RT4WD 166K |
#25
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Re: 2014 Snow Tires
Again, thanks for the input from everyone. All of my kids are getting winter tires for a Christmas present now that they're traveling everyday for jobs and college. Hopefully it will help keep them safe. My tire guy is giving me a great deal on the Michelin-Xice $103 per tire incl installation, so they're going on the 2 SVX's and a Prius. I think I'll try the generals on the Volvo Cross Country. Thanks again.
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Carpe Diem 1994 LSi Laguna Blue 93K 1996 LSi Ebony Pearl 84K 1997 LSi Polo Green 56K 1997 LSi Polo Green 17K 1992 Liquid Silver 206K (parts) 2009 Legacy GT Spec B 46K 2000 Volvo XC70 201K |
#26
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Re: 2014 Snow Tires
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1995 Caterham 7 Twincam 2002 Porsche 911 targa -- now with FSI 4.0L power! 2007 BMW 328i Cabriolet 2012 Tacoma 4wd v6 Access Cab 2013 Mercedes E350 4Matic Wagon 2005 STi - totaled after 10 great years 1994 SVX LSi 5spd - sold but not forgotten 2000 Legacy GT 5spd sedan - gone after 150K miles of bliss |
#27
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Re: 2014 Snow Tires
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1992 LSL ebony pearl 170k - Thank you Ron Mummert Reading Box of Wine Car ----------------------------------- 1992 SVX LSL 5-Speed Sold at 180K 2019 1995 SVX Lsi Polo Sold at 118K 2007 |
#28
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Re: 2014 Snow Tires
Even though Bliizzaks are usually half the price, you only get one season on them, and then they are usually used up. I would rather pay the extra 50% and get 4-5 year use. just me,
(never EVER buy used Blizzaks, they are done when the owner has figured it out they are hockey pucks……and no matter the price high or low they are TRASH tires for snow. heck of a deal on the X-ICE. good stuff.
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1985 Brat GL 138k 91 CRX Si 40k 91 CRX Si 155k 97 SVX Lsi 70k 2003 s2000 91 RT4WD 166K |
#29
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Re: 2014 Snow Tires
I can not praise the new studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8s enough.
I bought these for the Forester. Outback and SVX run on 7s..... /T |
#30
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Re: 2014 Snow Tires
Yes, but your government hands them out for free to all it's citizens. I'd use them too for that price.
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