New Tires All season

[Erin]

Hello!I have 28500k on my factory tires on an '05 AWD Vibe.At my last oil change, I was told I should get new tires before winter driving (I live outside of Buffalo, NY.) I asked for a second opinion (my dad) and he agreed I should replace the tires before the snow flies. I still have a few months to save up some cash, so I am doing research now for good tires & prices.I need a tire that is good in snow and ice but is also OK for summer driving. I drive on both country and city roads, and drive on the highway 5 days a week.I would like to get all season tires. I don’t feel I need winter tires, I have had the AWD for 3 1/2 years & it goes great in the snow (even with the crappy factory tires). I drive through 6-12 inches of snow often (the town rarely plows my road). I don't need any fancy performance tires, just something that I can get more than 30k out of. I was thinking Goodyear Assurance triple tread or Comfort tread. Is there anybody out there who drives in similar conditions as me that has bought these tires? Or has any recommendations?I looked for tire recommendations on this thread and it seem many of the people asking for advice live in California, lucky!! If there is another thread about tires for my climate could someone point me in that direction??Thanks!!!

[lovemyraffe]

Welcome! I put some Toyo's on my car about 1 year ago, I have the base model, and it was wonderful in the winter. I do a lot of snowboarding in the winter and spend many days driving snow-covered canyons. I too did not like the stock tires that came on the car. I love my Toyo's in the snow.

[Erin]

Thanks for the adviceThat looks like my typical winter in your pictureI will look into Toyo...Cute puppy BTW

[lovemyraffe]

Quote, originally posted by Erin »Cute puppy BTW Thank you.

[Sublimewind]

Erin,Welcome to GenVibe... Also, I used to live in Buffalo, North Tonawanda actually.. !! If I were you, and I know that I am not, I would REALLY REALLY consider getting dedicated snow tires for your Vibe... You just CAN'T beat the confidence you get from snow tires with a no-season tire (what I like to call all seasons, because they are a comprimise) I've driven both in Buffalo winter and I will NEVER look at A/S tires again... The cheapest snow tire will do better for you, than the BEST A/S tire in the snow, peroid... I'm sure it would be easy to find a set of used steel wheels for the car, yuo could put snows on them and then get some A/S tire for you other wheels later (save over winter)All be told, I wouldn't drive in Buffalo without snow tires.... Consider what a set cost... 400$I look at it like cheap insurance I could go on and on and on... I've made many a trip down to Kissing Bridge and Holiday Valley, I just wouldn't consider doing it on A/S tires.... If you would like some help in finding a decent but cheap tire, any tire really, let me know, i've done exhaustive research on the subject, and have done TONS of winter driving (I used to be a snowboard instructor down at KB)

[Erin]

Sublimewind:What a small world, I live in Hamburg / Eden NY.I have been to KB & holiday Valley, the 219 in winter is crazy...I never really considered buying snow tires, I have driven in Buffalo every winter since 1996 (the awd Vibe since '04) & really haven't had to many problems with driving unless we really get hammered with snow (then I try not to drive at all, lol). I have never had snow tires!I will look into it, but I don't really have the cash flow to buy two sets of tires at the same time. Are you saying buy cheap snow tires & cheap rest of the year tires? How much do you think rims are for the snow tires? It would be a good investement for me to make, considering I plan on driving my car until it dies Oh, my deductible is $250, lol.

[sloth]

Since you have the AWD, you can probably get by with the A/S. I have some Kumhos that do pretty well. I think they're the Fuzions. However I still switch to snow tires during the winter, but then again I don't have AWD.

[Kamikaze]

Kuhmos are one brand.. Fusions are another... Sublime... Not all of us want to have 2 sets of tires... As much as I love a dedicated tire (snow or summer) I can see how much of a pain it can be, (and is)I think something like the Goodyear Assurance triple treads would be a great All Season tire, they have a good higher treadwear rating and should last quite a while... and with the AWD you should still get decent traction...

[Erin]

Hey guys!Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated I think having the AWD really helps in the snow, I am really glad I got the upgrade. 3 1/2 years & only stuck in the snow 2 times (in unplowed driveways, luckily) The difference from my last car (FWD Chevy Beretta) and the AWD is like night & day.Even with FWD I didn't use snow tires (although I'm sure they would help). I might consider getting 2 sets of tires if I could find them cheap enough, but I think I will probably end up with 1 set.I think I may have snow tires on my 1st car, but that was an 1980 Malibu