[beat3rfocus]

Well as us northern people know, winter sucks. So get some winter tires and have more fun than renting hookers and getting some blow on a snow day.

I purchased a set of 195/60/15 General Altimax Arctic tires.

Found here: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...e&partnum=96QR5AMAXA&fromCompare1=yes&wTire=9

The car they are going on...

This tire can be studded for those who enjoy that, and are legally allowed to use them.

Now I have had them on my car for a few days, wet and dry pavement, no snow yet. i am surprised on how well the tires grip in both situations and are quiet. Also the price factor makes them really worth the value.

I plan on updating this once snow flies and I get to have some real fun and testing.

 

[_spyder]

Nice... what rims are you using then?

 

[beat3rfocus]

Nice... what rims are you using then?

Stock 15" Split spoke design. Matted with Gorilla Locking lugs. Clearing SVT Rears, stock Front brakes. Braided lines on the front, rubber rears from the swap.

 

[beat3rfocus]

Update with the tires.

Have had some time to play with them in the little snow we have received. They are amazing, pull through the slushy crap, just grab and go on ice, I've done a few e brake slides with them, car won't rotate like it used to, will do about 110* at most from 15-20 mph. I cannot wait for our first real storm to see how they fair.

Also with the mud flaps I am seeing A LOT LESS crud on the car.

Very much worth the money for these tires of Blizzaks.

 

[..:: sleestak ::..]

I was looking at a set of these tires. Apparently continental bought General tire and these tires are getting great reviews and the price is good to boot. Nice score! Nothing beats a good set of winter rubbers.

These look a lot like the Hankooks I am looking to buy. I am actually considering both the generals as well as the hankooks.

Grats on your snow tires. It's def a worthwhile investment. Just don't get over confident, lol.

 

[beat3rfocus]

I was looking at a set of these tires. Apparently continental bought General tire and these tires are getting great reviews and the price is good to boot. Nice score! Nothing beats a good set of winter rubbers.

These look a lot like the Hankooks I am looking to buy. I am actually considering both the generals as well as the hankooks.

Grats on your snow tires. It's def a worthwhile investment. Just don't get over confident, lol.

I have had a set of hankooks before and I enjoyed them, but these Generals are a lot better than I remember the hankooks to be.

I still drive like an old lady in bad conditions, but it is good to know where you can dart your car and where you cannot in storms. I purposefully went threw some crap today by my house to hit my mach 1 lip and see how it would do. Works out pretty well and the tires are solid, as long as you use common sense with the throttle, they just grip and pull the car around effortlessly.

 

[..:: sleestak ::..]

agreed on the security of the tires. Probably going to get the hankooks though. I found someone locally selling a set with less than 500 miles on them for 200 bucks. Bought them for his son and just after mounting, someone t-boned him. can't pass up a deal like that.

 

[Geezer]

The General Altimax Artics are actually built by Gisalved which is a Finnish tire company. My set, however, says made in Germany on the side wall...go figure. My guess is that there is a European relationship between Gisalved and Continental. Anyway, I trust those Scandinavians when it comes to snow tire design and performance.

 

[beat3rfocus]

Mine say Germany on the side too.

Continental bought out General tires last year I believe.

 

[beat3rfocus]

Well today was the test of doom!

We are getting about 3" an hour currently here in MI, and I decided ya know what, lets drive to work.

Snowing about another 3 inches on my drive to work, I realized, my tires rock. I was doing 45 MPH on unplowed highways. Lane changes, passing, hitting ruts, it didn't freaking matter, these tires just hooked to whatever snow they could find and just went.

I was passing 4x4 trucks, whatever, the car pulled like crazy. These tires blow anything I have used before in the winter out of the water. I am in love, and cannot wait to go out driving later!

 

[trailbikerider]

I've got Blizzak's, and they're pretty good too. Sounds like these may be better though, could be my next set of winter tires.

 

[beat3rfocus]

I've got Blizzak's, and they're pretty good too. Sounds like these may be better though, could be my next set of winter tires.

I think Blizzak's are over rated. They are expensive, and the rubber compound they use sucks on dry pavement. Once you get through the top half, they suck hard core on snow.

I'll use these from now on.

 

[SVT_BMXer]

I use Dunlop Winter Sport 3D's, I love these. Not only great in snow but just overall good in cold weather conditions.

 

[beat3rfocus]

What did those Dunlops cost?

 

[RobZX3_2006]

I think Blizzak's are over rated. They are expensive, and the rubber compound they use sucks on dry pavement. Once you get through the top half, they suck hard core on snow.

I'll use these from now on.

I agree. I hate the way my Blizzaks are on dry pavement and they are not very good half worn. Your review may have decided my next set of winter tires.

 

[ZX4STDoug]

I also have the General Altimax Artics and I couldn't be happier with them.Awful conditions here today and my car performed great. Great bang for the buck and to me, a MUCH better value than Blizzaks or some of the higher priced Dunlops, etc. out on the market.

And Continental is a German company, was founded in Germany and is still HQ'd there.