GRM Forum Sells Tires!

Short story, the GRM Forums influence purchase decisions.

Longer story, today I searched the forums for "best tires," read several threads, decided to focus on the General Altimax RT43 and the Continental ExtremeContact DWS, did more research at a GRM advertiser (Tire Rack) and then bought some tires.

Epilogue: I was really excited about buying the Continentals but was able to get four of the Altimax RT43 tires for about $150 less. I'm excited to see how the Subaru handles an Ohio winter!

I'll be curious to hear how they fare in the snow.

I just bought my first Subaru two weeks ago, but I don't think snow tires are in the cards this year.

Snow tires make a huge difference in grip. Snow tires in the snow are like the difference between all seasons and R-comps on summer pavement.

Continental owns General. EVERYBODY WINS!!1!$6

The difference between all season and snow tires is probably even bigger than the gulf between all seasons and R comps. I think even awful snows grip dry, warm pavement better than most all seasons.

I've been "buying" my next set of tires for the f150 for... 6 months now? still have yet to make my mind up.

Oh if you all knew how low I stopped for my last set of new tires... let's just say I spent $55 each shipped on 18" tires and it wasn't for a bike.

In reply to John Brown:

I know how low you stooped.

I've driven on identical tires, and they weren't horrible!

Cactus wrote: The difference between all season and snow tires is probably even bigger than the gulf between all seasons and R comps.

This. I think the best description I've heard for the difference between winter tires and all-seasons in winter weather was something like, "real snow tires are like a cheat code for driving in the snow." I think that sums the difference up pretty well.
I vividly remember putting my first set of (used, off-brand, unevenly worn) winter tires on my 1994 Honda Accord. Getting out of my driveway was transformed from a feat of managing momentum, timing traffic, and crossing fingers, to a drama-free process hardly any different from doing so on a dry day in June or July.
Driving in traffic becomes almost eerie. It's as if you are operating under a different set of laws of physics from other drivers. You come to an easy controlled stop where they slide, gently rotating, into the middle of the intersection. You calmly pass them accelerating away from traffic lights or going up hills as they spin tires in futility and madly fishtail along behind you, an ever-shrinking dot of frustration in your rear view mirror. You briefly feel a pang of guilt when you drive undramatically through snow drifts in which others are hopelessly stuck. As they dig themselves fractionally deeper with every revolution of their all-season tires the pang of guilt disappears.

Cactus wrote: Continental owns General. EVERYBODY WINS!!1!$6 The difference between all season and snow tires is probably even bigger than the gulf between all seasons and R comps. I think even awful snows grip dry, warm pavement better than most all seasons.

Truth, truth, and truth.

We are a Continental/General dealer at work, and we sell the hell out of the RT43s. They're a great tire at a good price.

Absolutely nothing will beat even a crappy winter tire compared to an all-season, of course. And an awesome winter tire makes you think "OMG IDDQD"

ShadowSix wrote: This. I think the best description I've heard for the difference between winter tires and all-seasons in winter weather was something like, "real snow tires are like a cheat code for driving in the snow." I think that sums the difference up pretty well.

That might have been me if you saw it here. Not that it's at all an unusual sentiment.

Driving in traffic becomes almost eerie. It's as if you are operating under a different set of laws of physics from other drivers. You come to an easy controlled stop where they slide, gently rotating, into the middle of the intersection. You calmly pass them accelerating away from traffic lights or going up hills as they spin tires in futility and madly fishtail along behind you, an ever-shrinking dot of frustration in your rear view mirror. You briefly feel a pang of guilt when you drive undramatically through snow drifts in which others are hopelessly stuck. As they dig themselves fractionally deeper with every revolution of their all-season tires the pang of guilt disappears.

All this and more.

It's a similar sensation to driving on good grippy summer tires in the rain. Teh Volvo was all but undrivable on all-seasons if it was raining. With the Comp2s, it felt planted even at (redacted) in a downpour, towing a trailer...

All season tires suck in all seasons.

Re the Generals: The last time I was shopping I was steered away from them due to the tire shop I use seeing sidewall issues with them. I have always been a big fan of continental tires and went with them. With continental owning General does anyone know if they have resolved the issues?

ShadowSix wrote:

Cactus wrote: The difference between all season and snow tires is probably even bigger than the gulf between all seasons and R comps.

This. I think the best description I've heard for the difference between winter tires and all-seasons in winter weather was something like, "real snow tires are like a cheat code for driving in the snow." I think that sums the difference up pretty well. I vividly remember putting my first set of (used, off-brand, unevenly worn) winter tires on my 1994 Honda Accord. Getting out of my driveway was transformed from a feat of managing momentum, timing traffic, and crossing fingers, to a drama-free process hardly any different from doing so on a dry day in June or July. Driving in traffic becomes almost eerie. It's as if you are operating under a different set of laws of physics from other drivers. You come to an easy controlled stop where they slide, gently rotating, into the middle of the intersection. You calmly pass them accelerating away from traffic lights or going up hills as they spin tires in futility and madly fishtail along behind you, an ever-shrinking dot of frustration in your rear view mirror. You briefly feel a pang of guilt when you drive undramatically through snow drifts in which others are hopelessly stuck. As they dig themselves fractionally deeper with every revolution of their all-season tires the pang of guilt disappears.

+2 The Tacoma with Altimax Artics is still sitting in the garage untested in snow. Drove the CX 5 with the Blizzaks for 1st time yesterday (see previous posting) instead.

I was told that The Answer to all tire questions is always Chen Sheng Blems...

stroker wrote: I was told that The Answer to all tire questions is always Chen Sheng Blems...

You sir have been well and truly lied to.

I have a set of altimaxes on my Frontier and Volt. Last year I never had to use 4wd in the truck because they grip so well. I do however want a diff for fun sideways shenanigans. Granted it was a lighter year for snow, but its still Erie, PA. This will be the first year for the Hybrid in the snow but I'm not expecting any trouble.

Knurled wrote: That might have been me if you saw it here. Not that it's at all an unusual sentiment.

That's entirely possible. I've been a lurker here forever. It really is the best way to describe the difference.