[Rookie84]

I would never drive in snow with summer tires. They just have no traction in cold weather and in snowy conditions. When I am forced to do so, something always happens. I had to drive home to VA in March and it just had to snow like hell that day... in the middle of March!! Well, the conditions kept getting a lot worse than I expected and I ended up in a center ditch on the highway... I was lucky there was a ditch and not a concrete median.

On the other hand, I used to have a G35 Coupe and I slapped on a set of Blizzaks for the winter. I did quite well even in deep snow while FWD and AWD cars with all seasons were struggling and sliding all over the place.

So winter tires for winter FTW.

[blk rex]

Originally Posted by Steve

Those of you who use Continental Conti Extremes (are there any of you out there?), what has been your experience with them as a winter tire? I have them and did fine in my Michigan winter last year, my first winter with the car. However, when I went looking for snow off-road, there were a couple of times when I wished I had Blizzaks on. Blizzaks got me through eight winters with my 95 Impala SS, mildly modified.

Steve
05 STI
04 Forester XT
95 Impala SS

I used ContiExtremeContacts on my Legacy last year. They were great. I loved them. They stopped me from "playing" sometimes, since I have less power, I need a tire that will give sooner to play..

We immediately noticed a difference going from my Kelly Explorers (Cheap ass tires) to the Contis..In serious mode and play mode..

[blindfold]

it is a great idea to own a set of all-seasons for colder weather, however it does get pretty expensive you have to buy another set of wheels and tires, still debating on my part.

[jutes85]

I mounted the re070's the day before the last snowfall in April. It felt like I was on ice, normal turning was non-existant and I had to resort to crab-walking. I would still do it again.

[0120]

I can tell you first hand the STI does a nice "falling leaf" maneuver when driven on snow/ice of any real thickness. It wasn't my ideal choice to drive the car after a snowstorm, and while fun, it was all over the place. Some blizzaks should fix that though

[Grog The Red]

Yep You're going to be stuck doing the old seasonal tire cange. I prefer it, because You can Maximize your performance based on the Seasonal conditions.
BFGoodrich KDW 2's,
Yokohama Ice Grips.

[wdb]

Another major and often unmentioned factor when considering two sets of tires for the STi is that changing tires totally transforms the car. It is a fabulous summertime onramp ripper with dedicated summer tires, and it is equally at home tearing up snow covered hills with dedicated winter tires. It's like getting two cars for the price of an extra set of tires.

[lucidmedia]

Originally Posted by wdb

Another major and often unmentioned factor when considering two sets of tires for the STi is that changing tires totally transforms the car. It is a fabulous summertime onramp ripper with dedicated summer tires, and it is equally at home tearing up snow covered hills with dedicated winter tires. It's like getting two cars for the price of an extra set of tires.

Absolutely true... get the cheap rims from Tire Rack and a good set of sport snow tires and winter is awesome...

[i<3myawd]

so what are some good yet cheap winter tires? i live in cali not colorado, but plan on driving my car up the mtn to snowboard once in a while... oh and have some fun in turnouts and parking lots

[05 CGM Sti]

Originally Posted by i<3myawd

so what are some good yet cheap winter tires? i live in cali not colorado, but plan on driving my car up the mtn to snowboard once in a while... oh and have some fun in turnouts and parking lots

Where in Cali do you live???

[RedlineSTI]

yeah they're are horrible in snow. i almost crashed my car in my own driveway last winter!! never again will those tires see snow.

[allwheelsdriven]

i think currently the cheapest are the conti extremecontacts

[Arfrce]

Come on I have read through almost all the posts. I live in colorado for 10 years, then I moved to Northern Arkansas. Not alot of snow in Arkansas. Got all of 8 inches last year. I bought my STi in Octover and kept the stock tires on for the winter. They worked ok for me. But, I am use to driving in the snow.

If you don't drive in the snow then yes you shouldn't be out in it with stock tires. But, if you know how to drive in the snow then it is not that big of a deal. I had a blast in the snow with the stock tires.
Just watch what you are doing. Don't get radical unless - your in a parking lot. lol

[Majin]

Originally Posted by Arfrce

Come on I have read through almost all the posts. I live in colorado for 10 years, then I moved to Northern Arkansas. Not alot of snow in Arkansas. Got all of 8 inches last year. I bought my STi in Octover and kept the stock tires on for the winter. They worked ok for me. But, I am use to driving in the snow.

If you don't drive in the snow then yes you shouldn't be out in it with stock tires. But, if you know how to drive in the snow then it is not that big of a deal. I had a blast in the snow with the stock tires.
Just watch what you are doing. Don't get radical unless - your in a parking lot. lol

the answer is "no, you shouldn't use your RE070s if there is even a dusting of snow, or the temperature has been below 40°F for a few hours."

[thunderbird]

Originally Posted by Majin

the answer is "no, you shouldn't use your RE070s if there is even a dusting of snow, or the temperature has been below 40°F for a few hours."

The RE070s on an STi are no problem in the snow, but then again, I drove a corvette with 315/35R17 summer tires year round for a few years. It took patience and care to drive that corvette in the snow. The STi on stockers is no problem. The STi on all seasons will get you anywhere, especially if you still drive with care. Buy snow tires if you don't want to slow down and don't mind ending up in the ditch every once in a while.