snow tires again

[edkellock at juno.com]

Tim,

I have Yokohama Guardex 600's on the V8 for winter.
I also ended up driving to Phoenix and back on them in
May.  I am quite impressed.  The only thing I can compare
them to are the Blizzaks on the Coupe GT.  The Yoko's
inspire greater confidence, although they are on a more 
capable car.

I can give only anecdotal info.  Keep in mind the V8 comes in
just under 4000 lbs.  I commuted every day through a very 
curvy road down and then up through a canyon pass with a 
45mph speed limit which is actually fairly realistic, compared
to most overly conservative warning speeds.  I drove this all
winter and then into the warmer weather.  Then, tires were
definitely softer and squirmier, but I  was able to confidently
negotiate the curvy commute home at speeds nearing 70 mph
on these tires.  The limit in my opinion was witnessed when I 
made a crisp mid-turn lane change at 60-65 mph which was
completed by a slight tail-out attitude, for just a brief moment.
No drama. It was one of those times when you realize what
just happened and think "cool".  

The winter performance?  Uh, well, never a misstep.
I had a 50-mile/day round trip commute.  If it weren't for
traffic, I would have travelled at the posted limit 99% of
the time.  In several inches of new snow, I had to really work
at getting the rear to step out.  In a slightly ice, slightly snowy
parking lot, I again had to try too hard to make it fun to 
get sliding around.  

Long and winded as usual...

Ed
Colorado Springs, CO

On Thu, 12 Oct 2000 14:56:36 -0400 Penasack_Tim at emc.com writes:
> Looking for some commentary from any lister on the any of the 
> following
> tires:
> 
> Michelin - Alpin H 
>         - not a lot of road noise as compared to the other two 
>         - don't wear as well as the other two
>         - pretty good handling as compared to 3 season tires
> 
> Dunlop - winter sport M2
>         - more road noise than Hakka's or Alpin's
>         - wear better than the other 2
>         - handle similar to 3 season H rated tires
> 
> Hakka NRW-H
>         - less road noise than the Dunlop's but more than the 
> Michelin's
>         - wear better than the Michelin's but not as good as the 
> Dunlop's
>         - handling in between also
> 
> All of this commentary comes from a Direct Tire sales guy in 
> Watertown MA.  
> 
> I am driving most in Southern NH and MA.  Of the 100 days of winter 
> maybe 10
> "on" snow or ice.  Not consistently like Northern NH/VT or the 
> Rockies.  The
> Blizzaks are to aggressive and I will wear them down very quickly.
> 
> Thanks
> Tim
> 
________________________________________________________________
YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET!
Juno now offers FREE Internet Access!
Try it today - there's no risk!  For your FREE software, visit:
http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.