Hey guys. I am having trouble finding some winter tires for my 16x8 GTA rim. It now has a very, VERY bald set of Comp VR4s, 245/50/16. I mean, there is not a grove left in them, no longer DOT approved. I need something in case it snows here (can any day) and now that my left leg is broken I can't really do much around my car(s), and kinda gotta drive the automatic. What size/brand of winter tire should I go with for the rear? Or should I just go with a set of all seasons, but I don't know about that. Thanks guys.

 

I've ran a set of 215/60/16 Blizzaks on all four corners before, still in my basement, and 100lbs of "playsand" in the trunk. I made it thru some good snows no problems...An excellemt tire, just don't try to take off-ramps at 60mph or you'll find out what "tread-squirm" is!!!(It really is a good-soft-sticky winter tire.)
(sp)

 

For the same price as four tires plus mount and balance plus the risk of you or someone else damaging your car i would just buy a beater.

plus beaters are fun to drive through snow banks

i bought an 83 celica for 125 dollars cdn all i had to do is put a timing cover on it. It had a power sunroof and power mirrors and it even was fuel injected

 

I personally don't drive my car in the winter,but I have a buddy that drives his 95 T/A every winter and he runs 245/50/16 blizzacks and that thing grips amazing for a standard with no traction control.

 

I didn't think Blizzaks were made in 245/50/16. If they are, I should get a set of those

 

For what those 16" blizzaks cost, you can buy some 15" steel rims, have 15" wheels mounted and balanced, and wind up coming out with less money spent, and the ease of being able to swap the tires over whenever you want to. The biggest advantage is that you can get a narrow tire. A 215 on a 15x7 wheel will be better in the snow whan a 215 on a 16x8" wheel. You could even get a 6" wheel and do a 205 tire. Sure it looks like hell, but a GTA with salt all over it looks like hell anyway.

 

225/55/16

I ran that size of the old style Blizzak for 2 snow seasons. I think it was the WS-15 or WS-10 model...the one with all of the 90 degree edges...looks like a bunch of squares. They bite like mad on anything(They're softer than my Nitto Drags...for real..don't spin em unless you wanna buy 2 sets!!)

Put a few extra pounds in the hatch/cargo area also, maybe like 3 or 4 50lb bags of salt(Use the salt if ya need it...etc)

That size actually looked pefect to me. goodluck!

 

Going to a 215/65 size tire will make a big difference compared to the 245/50 size. With the narrower tire you can get by with all season tires. If you want dedicated winter tires, take the advice of Jim85IROC above. I just did exactly what he suggests here.

 

I agree that skinnier tires grip better in the snow, but if you are going for looks, that is were the wider and lower profile blizzak's come in to play. If you are driving in a place were it is snowy and slippery every day then by all means get the ugly skinnies. In my opinion I'd rather have a tire that hooks very well like the 245/50/16 blizzak's, and when the there is no snow you can still polish up the car and look good. Six years ago I would definatly have to go with the skinnies but now days we only have snow on the ground for a quarter of the winter if that. That's just what I'd do, but you can't go wrong with the skinnies.

 

I drive my 86 Camaro year 'round and I have all seasons, Goodyear Eagle HP 225-60-R15.

I don't have any problems.

 

I guess I forget that some people live in a more mild climate than me. Up here, appearance is a non-issue in the winter months. Cars don't look good when they are in a snowbank off the road. Who cares how it looks... it's winter! It'll be covered in salt 90% of the time anyway. I keep my sled nice and clean all winter though.