So after giving my '09 GT some more time, I'm ... 'okay' with it, and not in the same rush to get rid of it that I felt before. However, bottom line, I don't plan on keeping this particular car for the long haul. I'm not feelin' the love I felt for my '05, and I just want the functionality of the 1st gen back.
With that in mind, I'm looking (casually) at '08s. Only one year older with the possibility of comparable miles (if I'm patient in my search - which I can afford to be since this '09 is brand new-to-me). So, since my '05 was so absolutely horrid in the snow and even in the rain, BUT at the same time drivers of any other year Vibes seem to not have had that particular problem with handling in inclement weather - that I have spoken to or read on here - I'm wondering what the experience of those with '08s is when it comes to handling, and particularly snow? I'm not putting snow tires on no matter what year I drive so I just want to know, for those who keep all-seasons on year round, what is your experience?
Thanks!!
calling '08 Base drivers - handling in snow?
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lannvouivre
- Posts: 1601
- Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2011 1:00 pm
- Location: Texas yay
Re: calling '08 Base drivers - handling in snow?
I have an '06, and when we have had snow, the Goodyear Eagle RSA tires were completely worthless. I got Arizonian Silver Edition tires and they were much, much better. They still weren't as good as snow tires, but I live in TX and getting snow tires for TX is not very realistic. The tires are really what makes the difference here. KITT said something about tearing past 4WD trucks in the snow with his snow tires.
"If you don't love me at my diddliest, you don't deserve me at my doodliest." - User ktluvscricket of reddit
Re: calling '08 Base drivers - handling in snow?
Sounds like you had crappy tires if the car had traction problems even in the rain. Do research and find a good all season tire that is good in the winter as well. I recommend tire rack for reviews. I had a set of all season hankook optimo 727s on a buick that were cheap and good in the snow.
I run snow tires in the winter on my 07 vibe and it is better in light snow and ice than our 4x4 jeep, because the winter tires handle better on the ice, plus you can stop easier. I run the general altimax arctics they are relatively cheap and worth every penny to me.
I run snow tires in the winter on my 07 vibe and it is better in light snow and ice than our 4x4 jeep, because the winter tires handle better on the ice, plus you can stop easier. I run the general altimax arctics they are relatively cheap and worth every penny to me.
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star_deceiver
- Posts: 5802
- Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2009 1:49 pm
- Location: Airdrie, AB
Re: calling '08 Base drivers - handling in snow?
Buy a set of snow tires on their own rims and put a good set of summers on another set of rims! I recommend studded Firestone winterforce for winter and Hankook Ventus V4 for summer! The Hankooks I had on the Vibe were next to impossible to hydroplane even at excessive freeway speeds in a downpour!
As for the Firestones..... The speed in this vid is about 115km/h
As for the Firestones..... The speed in this vid is about 115km/h
2021 Ram 1500 4x4 CCSB
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2016 Ram 3500 4x4 RCLB Dually w/stick (traded in - 05/10/19)
2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 Cheyenne 4x4 (Traded in - 03/30/16)
2009 Vibe. (Traded in - 12/12/12)
2019 Ram 3500 4x4 CCSB srw 8HP75 (traded in - 04/15/21)
2016 Ram 3500 4x4 RCLB Dually w/stick (traded in - 05/10/19)
2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 Cheyenne 4x4 (Traded in - 03/30/16)
2009 Vibe. (Traded in - 12/12/12)
Re: calling '08 Base drivers - handling in snow?
Make that two votes for Hankook Optimo 727's if you stay with All Season tires! Awesome in snow and not expensive.robtco99 wrote: I had a set of all season hankook optimo 727s on a buick that were cheap and good in the snow.
Also, The 05 vibe doesn't have traction control, the 08 Vibe does; this should make a HUGE difference in snow!
Re: calling '08 Base drivers - handling in snow?
Thanks guys. Again, I won't be getting snow tires no matter what. I have no place to store them and I'd have to have a mechanic put them on every year. It's just not practical. But as far as my '05, I have read others on here having the same issue so I'm hoping the '08s handle better. As far as tires, I put three sets on during the only-six years I had the '05 to try to improve handling. Two sets of Goodyears (different styles) and one set of Michelins.
I figured traction control would be helpful too, but from what I'm seeing, it's really rare to find an '08 that had that option. That's what's making me wonder so much about it's handling. Was traction control just an option most people (who bought them new) didn't need?? I've only seen the ABS/trac. option package on one '08 for sale so far. That's not to say more won't become available, but it jsut makes me wonder how popular it was and if it was deemed unnecessary by most because the car already handled decently?
I figured traction control would be helpful too, but from what I'm seeing, it's really rare to find an '08 that had that option. That's what's making me wonder so much about it's handling. Was traction control just an option most people (who bought them new) didn't need?? I've only seen the ABS/trac. option package on one '08 for sale so far. That's not to say more won't become available, but it jsut makes me wonder how popular it was and if it was deemed unnecessary by most because the car already handled decently?
Re: calling '08 Base drivers - handling in snow?
My wife's car has had Cooper CS4's on her car for almost a year now which we replaced her BFG's with.
Needless to say, as the miles added up on the BF's.....they began to impress me less and plenty of feedback on the CS4's got me looking at those.
After a year, zero complaints so far on the tire and again....they aren't as good as true snow tires, but they are a great all-season tire which I was happy with in the winter time if/when we drove it last winter.
Recently my brother (who's had tire issues with his Subaru) finally gave them a shot and hate's to admit to big brother that they aren't a bad tire one bit.
Zero brand loyalty to tires from me as this is the first set of cooper's I have owned....but I wouldn't think twice about putting their tires on another vehicle of mine.
Best of luck
Steve
Needless to say, as the miles added up on the BF's.....they began to impress me less and plenty of feedback on the CS4's got me looking at those.
After a year, zero complaints so far on the tire and again....they aren't as good as true snow tires, but they are a great all-season tire which I was happy with in the winter time if/when we drove it last winter.
Recently my brother (who's had tire issues with his Subaru) finally gave them a shot and hate's to admit to big brother that they aren't a bad tire one bit.
Zero brand loyalty to tires from me as this is the first set of cooper's I have owned....but I wouldn't think twice about putting their tires on another vehicle of mine.
Best of luck
Steve