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Old 09-20-2012, 10:43 AM   #1
wavear15
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Default 2012 2.0L - Dedicated winter wheels/tires

About that time of the year to start considering winter tires and/or wheels.

I've been scanning the TireRack website reading reviews and looking around.

Seriously considering going with a -2 wheel size setup simply because it's less expensive all around. I've had dedicated winter wheels tires and wheels on my previous two cars and consider them a must buy purchase considering my commute from Eastern Long Island to NYC is approx. 65 miles each way.

So, what do you guys suggest? Looking hard at those General Altimax Artics...
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Old 09-20-2012, 11:22 AM   #2
ans2k
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curious as well. i thought about just DWS for my region(just below the snow belt)
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Old 09-20-2012, 11:25 AM   #3
ocellaris
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curious as well. i thought about just DWS for my region(just below the snow belt)
I had DWS tires on a FWD car last winter and they were fantastic for All Weather tires. I live in Maine, the tires got a good workout.

Then I got an Impreza and starting skating around on the Yokohamas
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Old 09-20-2012, 11:33 AM   #4
sgoldste01
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I had Altimax Arctics on my Golf TDI, and they were excellent. You won't regret that choice.

I bought a used set of 16" WRX wheels with still-good used Blizzaks for the Impreza. I will use those in the winter until they wear out, and then replace them with Altimax Arctics.

By the way, the Altimax Arctics are studdable. Don't bother getting them studded. They're quieter and have better dry road traction without studs. Studs only help on ice. They make things worse in all other conditions.
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Old 09-20-2012, 11:38 AM   #5
ans2k
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but will just two snow tires work. i can't really justify 4 snow tires for my area, since the most snow if any will be 2-4 inches for maybe a week. also, the yok have not wore out yet.
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Old 09-20-2012, 11:52 AM   #6
ocellaris
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but will just two snow tires work. i can't really justify 4 snow tires for my area, since the most snow if any will be 2-4 inches for maybe a week. also, the yok have not wore out yet.
No. Running different tires that will be slightly different sizes and have different levels of traction will cause problems with the AWD system.

If you are worried about it and don't want snow tires, buy 4 good all season tires that are highly rated for snow traction.
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Old 09-20-2012, 12:23 PM   #7
jr0bb5
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I will most definitely be getting a set of dedicated winter tires/rims for driving in New England. After buying my first set of winter tires about 6-7 years ago for my last car, I preach to everyone the benefits of season specific tires. Dedicated winter tires make a world of difference driving in cold, foul weather... AWD or not. It may be more expensive, but I personally will never go back to all-seasons.
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Old 09-20-2012, 12:30 PM   #8
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Ive slid a couple times on the stock yokos but most the time it was on purpose, lol. I do not believe these tires are anything special, but im prob not gonna get winter tires. I would definitely like a set but its just so darn expensive for steelies n tires. My plan is to see how this first winter goes. I just hope I dont regret this decision.

Hope i can drive well enough with my fingers crossed the whole way. lol
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Old 09-20-2012, 12:47 PM   #9
sgoldste01
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Don't forget the option of getting a used set of winter wheels/tires. Keep your eyes on the classified ads on this forum, Craigslist, and so on.

I got my used set of 16" WRX wheels (they could use a paint job) with Blizzaks (tires only have 5k miles on them) for $280. No TPMS. But my traction will be secure, and my original 17" wheels won't take the winter abuse.

For that price, it was a no-brainer.
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Old 09-20-2012, 02:16 PM   #10
G-Omaha
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The Conti DWS tires are a good all season tire. The Conti EWC is an excellent (somewhat low priced) tire. When looking at "cost" insure that you include the free/for cost "road hazard" coverage's.
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Old 09-20-2012, 05:08 PM   #11
finklejag
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sgoldste01 View Post
Don't forget the option of getting a used set of winter wheels/tires. Keep your eyes on the classified ads on this forum, Craigslist, and so on.

I got my used set of 16" WRX wheels (they could use a paint job) with Blizzaks (tires only have 5k miles on them) for $280. No TPMS. But my traction will be secure, and my original 17" wheels won't take the winter abuse.

For that price, it was a no-brainer.
Our 12+ Impreza uses a wheel offset of et48. The WRX uses et52. You might rub running older Impreza wheels on the our car.
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Old 09-20-2012, 06:04 PM   #12
sgoldste01
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Originally Posted by finklejag View Post
Our 12+ Impreza uses a wheel offset of et48. The WRX uses et52. You might rub running older Impreza wheels on the our car.
These are old WRX wheels (I don't remember the year). The offset was 48 for these too. Anyway, I mounted one onto the car before I bought the set and all was good.
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Old 09-20-2012, 07:24 PM   #13
ishgogreen
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According to Tirerack, the et52 of the WRX wheel will fit the 2012 Sport with a et48. In looking at the difference, referring to a wheel offset comparison, here's what I came up with:

The clearance from stut housing to the inside of the wheel will be 4mm LESS
The outside edge of the wheel will RETRACT in towards the body by 4mm

4mm is a little more than 1/8 inch. I can't imagine that Tirerack would sell wheels with such an offset if they didn't fit. I've used them alot over the years and had no issues with fit up.
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Old 09-20-2012, 07:26 PM   #14
ishgogreen
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I'll be cussing up a storm this November if the 2010 WRX wheels I purchased before I even ordered my car don't fit!
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Old 09-20-2012, 08:49 PM   #15
von Wachtstain
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Originally Posted by ishgogreen View Post
I'll be cussing up a storm this November if the 2010 WRX wheels I purchased before I even ordered my car don't fit!
I have two sets now in basements 2004 WRX wheels (+53mm) and steel wheels of 2010 2.5i (+55mm). I want to use steelies with +55mm. I wish somebody told me if I will be fine with them so I can finally order them Blizzaks LOL
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Old 09-20-2012, 09:52 PM   #16
popsicle_stand
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Offsets are useless numbers to compare without specifying wheel width.
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Old 09-20-2012, 10:38 PM   #17
von Wachtstain
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Offsets are useless numbers to compare without specifying wheel width.
Both sets are 6.5" wide. My Limited came with 17x7" wide wheels.
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Old 09-25-2012, 05:15 AM   #18
pkL
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I bought a set of 18" so I will be using the OEM 17" as winter tires; however, I'm not sold on the AVIDS even though they are all season tires. I guess I'll use them until they wear out and get a set of winter tires for the OEM rims.
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Old 09-25-2012, 10:48 PM   #19
cny12owner
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I get some strange looks when I tell people I'm looking forward to winter coming. Then I explain that I have the Impreza, and want to see what she can do in the snow. That being said, right now I don't have plans to put snow tires on, but am going to see how the stock Yokohamas handle in the snow. Syracuse weather being what it is (snow, snow, and more snow), I may regret that choice, but I'm willing to give them a try before I go through the hassle of swapping rims and/or tires for the winter. I've been told that the car is fairly good in the snow... but will see for myself...
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Old 09-26-2012, 02:00 AM   #20
pkL
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Originally Posted by cny12owner View Post
I get some strange looks when I tell people I'm looking forward to winter coming. Then I explain that I have the Impreza, and want to see what she can do in the snow. That being said, right now I don't have plans to put snow tires on, but am going to see how the stock Yokohamas handle in the snow. Syracuse weather being what it is (snow, snow, and more snow), I may regret that choice, but I'm willing to give them a try before I go through the hassle of swapping rims and/or tires for the winter. I've been told that the car is fairly good in the snow... but will see for myself...
The car is pretty good in snow but the tires are not, I guess the tires will be okay for the first snow season. I would hate to imagine how they would handle the next snow season.
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Old 09-26-2012, 07:10 AM   #21
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Wave, let me know how that 110+mile roundtrip per day commute in the snow goes from Long Island to Brooklyn on those Costco Michelin snow tires. I am praying for snow in October already!
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Old 09-26-2012, 01:28 PM   #22
Hate
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I had General Altimax Arctics on my forester. I loved them. I just picked up my '13 impreza yesterday. I'm going to need to pick up some snows as well and just throw them on the stock wheels.
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Old 09-26-2012, 02:01 PM   #23
sgoldste01
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+1 for the Altimax Arctics.

What wheels will you use for your summer tires?
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Old 09-27-2012, 03:28 AM   #24
pkL
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sgoldste01 View Post
+1 for the Altimax Arctics.

What wheels will you use for your summer tires?
Altimax Arctics are awesome, wish they came in 18s though.
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Old 09-27-2012, 08:23 AM   #25
sgoldste01
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Altimax Arctics are awesome, wish they came in 18s though.
Meh. I don't like the idea of low-profile snow tires. Too much chance of driving through a pothole and bending your expensive 18" rims. I suggest saving the 18" wheels for summer, and using 16" wheels in the winter.
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