Well I solved my winter tire dilemma. I decided to buy 17 inch Dunlop Graspic DS-1's which are a studless snow and ice tire. I ordered the 215/45/QR17's for $97 each from the Tire Rack. With shipping they will cost me about $106.00 each. Not one shop around here could match that price. I will have my pal at the dealership do the mounting and balancing after hours, and I will pay him. He agreed to do it for $30, so thats not too bad at all.

I was trying to buy some 16 inch wheels and then buy 16 inch tires, but this worked out to be much less expensive for me. A few times I thought I had the 16 inch wheels and tires off E-Bay, but nothing ever came of it, I was out bid twice, and had private parties contact me, but more of the same there, all talk and no show. The 16 inch would have been nice, and left plenty of room for "fender-bergs". Some of you know what they are...lol

I know that 215 is a bit too wide for snow, but I think I made the right choice. The stock Conti's on the SVTF will not get the job done in the snow. And, man do we get some snow!!! I also know my wheels will be nicked and scratched from the sand and salt, but what's a poor white boy to do?
Thanks for listening!
bfocused

Sounds good man...Good luck. I'm going to run my stockers this winter (15's) and if it gets too bad, replace with a snow tire. I'm not too worried about the rims because I'm going to replace them with 17's in the spring anyways.

awebb, thanx for the good wishes. Do you get much snow there in DEs Moinse? We get a ton of the stuff, and having the right tires is a must. My wife drives a 03 ZX2 and the all season tires that came on it are going to do the job.

Off topic, but you know that ZX2 is a fast little car too. It has the ZTec and a 5 speed, but it is so de-tuned it is almost criminal.

have you seen the Continental Contitact extremes? i think it was on tire rack, but from what i hear they are very good all around tires

Yeah i had the same trouble than you. Because i bought my SVT this summer and it was a 2002. The guy did 7500km in 9 months and he give to me a set of 17 inchs winter tire. Because last year, he puts the same mag for the winter tire. The tire are brand new.


So I dont have to buys new tire even if i found it too wide for winter. But i m looking to buy new mags for next summer. Because Winter in quebec it really hard for a set of wheels.

bfocused, we don't usually get too much snow here. Last winter was pretty mild. I'm originally from Minnesota though, I've only been here for like 1 1/2 years now. Winters in minnesota can be pretty wild.

Last winter was a snow fest here. On Dec 26th we got 24 inches of the stuff, and one week later another 14 inches on top of that! All told I would guesstimate we got about 60 inches or so!. Great for winter sports, but driving is a bit of a challenge. And of course we have those 4x4 SUV folks who feel no need to slow down when driving conditions are not the best. What is funny about that though, is seeing them fly by you, only to pass them later because they are in the ditch!
bfocused