Well, it's about time to start planning for driving in the [censored]ing snow again. I found out last winter that snow and my Pilot Sports do not mix, so I've got to make a decision. Do I:
- spend ~$950 to replace my 18" tires with 18" Blizzak LM-22 and risk getting my rims scratched again during each tire change.
- spend ~$1150 to buy new 17" ASA KA3 wheels and mount Dunlop Winter Sport M3 tires on them and avoid having my 18" rims scratched upon replacing the tires.
- spend $1-2k on a piece of crap car or truck to use during the snowy winter days and not worry about my wheels on my G getting scratched or having to constantly clean the salt off of my G.
I'm going to get a piece of crap to drive to work and back most days during the week, and I'll have that to use when it snows as well. I'm single so there's no spouse to fall back on (honey can I borrow your car?) so I reason that I need another car anyway. But I'm going to try to get a semi-decent piece de merde...
G35 Coupe | 5A | Everything except Sat (coming soon)
If you can live with 17", option two sounds like a pretty good deal. I had those tires on my 17" sedan wheels last winter, and they were great. Looks more aggressive than my Goodyear summer tires, and my fairly well calibrated ass-ometer couldn't even tell the trade off in dry performance.
However, option two has a hidden cost -- tire pressure sensors. As I found on the forums here, they are well over $200 a piece. And you need all 4 to avoid the light. That's almost a truck. I guess you can just get use to the light in the winter -- your Christmas decoration for the G.
Option 3 -- don't drive your G in the snow? Can't live with that. It snows quite a bit here in Michigan, but they clear the roads too quickly. I was so disappointed not being able to really drive in the snow a lot. But that's just me.
04 Sedan 6MT/Caribbean Blue/Aero/Sunroof/Bose/Free broken Infiniti pen
Thanks guys. I have a 2003 couple and no tire pressure sensors, so that's not a problem. I'm kind of leaning towards getting the 17" (I'm glad to hear that they look good and perform well), but I think that getting a crappy car is also a valid option. Let's see what some others say too.
talking about getting a crappy car, do I need to get that car insured?
TB/Black, 6MT coupe, Aero, Premium, Navi, Pop Charger + Z-Tube, Clear Corners, 30% tint.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">I don't know about you guys in California...things can be kind of backwards there.
The POS might be a workable option, but make sure it's not too crappy or you're going to end up driving the G anyway......after you have your jaunt through nature in the dead of winter.
"you will rue this day....well go on start ru-ing" Stewie Griffin
Depends on the laws in your state - most states require liability insurance though.
In NY if have plates on a car, and don't have liability insurance on it (whether or not you are driving it, if its just registered) - it's an $11 a day fine, plus your drivers license is suspended for the number of days the vehicle isn't insured.
Randy, which all seasons do you have? How are they in the snow?
"People on 'ludes should not drive"- Jeff Spicoli
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I haven't had a chance to try them in the snow yet.
I've put Continental ContiExtremeContact tires on in July. I used the stock size for the rear 245/45-18, and 235/40-18 on the fronts. That lowers the front of the car 4 tenths of inch.
The minor difference in the front tire diameter is unnoticeable; it doesn't affect the VDC system, the appearance of the wheel, seeing traffic lights, headlight aim, braking, or handling ... at least not as far as I can tell
The gas mileage appears to be about the same
The Continentals are quieter, ride better, and handle better in the rain. On fast starts they "chirp" louder than the stock Michelin's. In hard corners they seem to "waddle" a bit, where the Michelin's held firm until they let go.
I just dropped $1680 on 18x8 ASA JH3s (look pretty close to stock 18" G wheels) with LM-22s mounted & balanced on them, but TireRack sent me two sets of front passenger and rear driverside wheels instead of one for each corner, so I am having them ship me the two I need and then they will have UPS pick up the two extra a few days later.
Otherwise they'd be on since last night and I'd have pics for you.
One thing I'll say about driving your G in the snow instead of driving a beater. Say you spend the $$ on the other tires and drive your G all winter. Fine, you're ok, but what I'm thinking about is all the other people out there who drive like mad in the snow, don't leave enough space for stopping, and so on. You have to worry about them too. So you could end up with a $1700 winter tire setup and a $2500 collision claim. That's one reason I'm considering the beater.
G35 Coupe | 5A | Everything except Sat (coming soon)
I'm considering the same setup (17's though). Can you post a pic once you get them on? I'm considerng the same wheels because they seem similar to the stock 18's.
One thing I'll say about driving your G in the snow instead of driving a beater. Say you spend the $$ on the other tires and drive your G all winter. Fine, you're ok, but what I'm thinking about is all the other people out there who drive like mad in the snow, don't leave enough space for stopping, and so on. You have to worry about them too. So you could end up with a $1700 winter tire setup and a $2500 collision claim. That's one reason I'm considering the beater.
G35 Coupe | 5A | Everything except Sat (coming soon)
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You live in NC? And you're worried about snow? What do you get, 6 inches a season? Just catch a ride that day .... geezzz
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Advice for this winter...
