Need some snow tire info.
 

I'm looking for a set of snows for my daughters 2005 Mercury Sable. She lives near Buffalo, NY.

Her budget is really at getting 2 studded snow tires for the front, but I'm hearing from some stores they won't even sell/install just 2, saying its unsafe.

Standard tires on car are 215/60-16's.

I found a set of 4 slightly used Blizzak Revolts 205/65-16's off of a '97 Lexus, for what I think is a very good price... $225.

But Blizzak doesn't make these tires anymore, so any info is appreciated.

Thanks.

I wouldn't use just two snows. The regular rears will pack with snow and/or not grip and the back of the car will easily come around. Blizzacks are good. If that's what the budget supports and the tires have good tread, then that's what I would do. But make sure there is good tread depth, not just legal tread. You need deep channels. I tried just front snows on a saab and the back came around very fast and unexpectedly. Four snows for your daughter is a smart investment. I use 205/55-16's on our current saab.

Thanks Rick.

I bought her 4 new Blizzaks last year for her old Subaru, but I have no personal experience with them.

I live in NY State also and just bought 4 studded tires to run on a heavy RWD car.

I thought on a FWD car you could get away with running just a set of 2 studded or non-studded snows, but I see your point.

I'll make up the difference if need be if she also believes in going the 4 studded tire route. Last year I read how good the new Blizzaks are in snow, but because of black ice, I've always thought studded snows are the ultimate for stopping power.

I used to run studded tires but they'd slide a bit on dry roads. I put Cooper snows on my K1500 - what a tank.

Sounds like you could have some fun with that truck in the winter Rick.

I don't like studded snows on dry pavement either of course, but living in a semi-rural area with a lot of wide open spaces, the winds turn roads that are clear into snow covered roads quickly. :(

Skip,

I'm just outside Pittsburgh, so I know how you feel. In my opinion studs is personal pref. but I would put 4 snows on at a time. I did that on my wife's Grand Am Gt and you would have thought it was AWD. We never did studs, because she was afraid to drive in bad weather anyway. The tires were just in case she got caught. LOL Blizzaks are good, but I have had great luck with Hankook's snow stuff. Much better prices as well. We have 4 I-Pikes on her AWD Outlook. Very sure footed and quiet on dry roads. Just another option. Good Luck.

Thanks for the advice on the Hankook's Chad. :thumbsup:

From what I've heard, the Blizzaks work pretty good.
Good luck Skip!!:thumbsup:

Thanks fellow Northeastenbrrrr. :D

I have been DD'ing FWD cars for 7 years now, and my Grand Am with snows on the front was the most unstable car in winters. My DD VW Golf currently has 15" steelies with Firestone Winterforces that I got last winter. They are GREAT in the snow, almost puts too much confidence back to me, I gotta remember to slow down LOL.

I paid something like $475 shipped from tirerack.com with 4 new steelies.