GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

What would you guys recommend? I saw that the Continental ContiWinterIce or whatever were rated pretty well and the Blizzaks weren't rated the greatest. Thoughts?

Anything really man.... seriously, the difference between the cheapest and the most expensive is not that great... Blizzaks ARE great tires, the biggest problem with them is there technoligy wears away quickly (it's like a super hight density closed cell foam) on dry pavement... there is a new Donlop that look really nice, no idea on price though... They do have a really neet video of the tech... http://www.dunloptires.com/cat....htmlIf I were you, I would look at Blizzaks to start with and after you have worn them out, try something else... I long to have Blizzaks again, but not to pay for them for the short amount of time they last... http://www.tirerack.com/winter...k.jspI currently run the Winterforce on my Subie, but I have AWD http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...M%2BS If you are able to stud your snows, that is the way to go... Don't forget to look at Nokian tires as well, some of the best wither tires made, but not sold to a huge market in the US...

I wouldn't touch Continental's with a 10 foot icicle. I put the top rated Dunlop SP Wintersport 3D 205/55VR/16 on the Vibe. If you want a winter performance tire they can't be beat. On special for $94.00.http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...rt+3D I put Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 on the Subaru because they are highly rated for ice, light snow and deep snow traction and cornering performance and noise were not an issue on the Sub. I had Nokian WR's on the Vibe the last 2 winters. They were great at first but lost their snow grip as they began to wear down. They sure handled well though.

I luv the Blizzaks,much better than the x-ices IMHO.The blizzaks are on their second season,and still hold the road great.Once the Vibe is out of the body shop,I'm swapping them on the Vibe and putting the michelins on the sunfire.Great tire.

I have always gone by the belief that Blizzaks are the standard.For me the only snow tires I have had were on my Civic, I put a set of Kelly snow tires. Not sure of the specific model, but they were not expensive and got me from down here in CT all the way up to New Hampshire a year or two ago when the NE got nailed by a nasty storm. 4-6" of snow on the highways, never passing 30-40mph. I got in one of the empty lanes that was still covered while others stayed in a grooved path. Was able to get up there in 4 hours, not too bad, considering I was stopping periodically to break the ice off my headlights so I could see better.

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »I have always gone by the belief that Blizzaks are the standard.For me the only snow tires I have had were on my Civic, I put a set of Kelly snow tires. Not sure of the specific model, but they were not expensive and got me from down here in CT all the way up to New Hampshire a year or two ago when the NE got nailed by a nasty storm. 4-6" of snow on the highways, never passing 30-40mph. I got in one of the empty lanes that was still covered while others stayed in a grooved path. Was able to get up there in 4 hours, not too bad, considering I was stopping periodically to break the ice off my headlights so I could see better. 4-6 on the highways... you never been to Buffalo then huh.... That about the time it's time to head for the hills... I "almost" got stuck in the blizzard of 2000' in buffalo, my GF called me and she couldn't get out of her parking spot (~20" of snow had fallen in 3-4hrs at that point) and asked me to come and get her... Well, a 20min drive there took me 1.5hrs and it took another 3-4hrs to get back home, 20min driver remember... all in all 25" came down in under 5hrs and CLOSED Buffalo for 2 WEEKS..!!!There were 3500 school kids that didn't make it home that night, local bussiness opened there doors to let them have a place to keep warm, people were stuck on the highway overnight... the inner-city took a full 2 weeks to plow, tow a car, plow, tow a car, plow....ect... It was crazy... and where I lived 20min away, we got 10"....lol.... Buffalo is crazy..

Blizzak WS50's were good to me...

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »Blizzak WS50's were good to me...2nded, Blizzaks are always a good place to start.. The only problem is "once you go Blizzak, you won't wanna go back" lol

I know firestone came out with a firehawk PVS winter tire which lokks pretty good

Quote, originally posted by Scootman! »I know firestone came out with a firehawk PVS winter tire which lokks pretty goodYeah, but would you put Firestone on your car, I wouldn't, just personaly

I got the conti viking snowtech, highly recommended by CR for moderate winters. So far they have been fantastic and were cheap. In the crazy duluth snow downfalls they got me through the crap most cars got stuck in. I drive 300+ miles a week as well in all weather and they worked great on the snowy highways too. I would totally recommend these

I've owned several sets of snow tires of the years.....currently I have Blizzaks REVOs...but the best I ever were Blizzak WS-50s. I would recommend them for anyone for winter use.

As for winter tires, this is my first year/season with "winter only" tires and I am very glad that I made that choice. I went with the Dunlop Winter Sport M3 in 215/55/16. They are on sale at the Tire rack for $85.00 a piece. I put them on about 3 days before we got hit with about 6-8 inches of snow and I am sure glad that I did. I highly recommend the summer/winter approach on tires (IF you can afford it!). These particular tires are top rated (right below the SP Winter Sport 3D). But in my opinion, I think its a better "biting" tires in the snow. Good luck with your decision. Let us know what ya get!

I purchased a set of 4 Michelin X-Ice 195/65/15's.I don't like driving in the snow with all the other nutty drivers here in the Garden State. But if I have to, I like the added edge I have with snow tires. It gets me where I want to go AND I can stop better as well.

A good all season high performance tire that has been really good to me in the snow/ice is the Kumho Ecsta ASX. Really good snow traction, it was rated in the 8's on tirerack for snow. I know a full snow/mud tire is best, but combine what I have with my awd and it makes a nice combo.

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »A good all season high performance tire that has been really good to me in the snow/ice is the Kumho Ecsta ASX. Really good snow traction, it was rated in the 8's on tirerack for snow. I know a full snow/mud tire is best, but combine what I have with my awd and it makes a nice combo.I still don't and wont ever agree with A/S tires in the snow... not as a recomendation at least...