Help me pick out snow tires

In My Humble Opinion
1

this thread has been helpful but I need more info:

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=155433

I am considering getting snow tires for a Ford Tourus that currently has 4 - AL rims and one steal full size rim as a spare. All current tire sizes (including spare) are 205 65 15. Car is FWD and has 4 channel ABS.

The front 2 tires are about 25% worn, the rear are about 75% worn and the spare has never been used.

My driving situation has changed from 90% driving on LI and in and around NYC (mainly around) 10% upstate NY, NE on vacations. to 40% in and around NYC area and 60% upstate NY. Driving upstate involves about a 2-4 mile streach (depending which way I’m going) on county roads that are plowed but not down to the pavement, an apx 70 ft up hill driveway, a parkway nearby that is usually worse off (plow wise) then the state routes.

My orignal though was to replace the 2 rear tires w/ snow tires, use them up front in the winter and in the rear in the summer. Then I was considering getting another steal wheel and put 2 snows on them to use on front in the winter and the AL rims (and all season tires) in the summer.

I am asking advice on:
Strategy on tire usage
Brand suggestion
size suggestion
Type of tire suggestion (performance snow, all snow, studded)
Buy new rims vs have the tires switched over (what is normally done)

All with the goal not to spend a whole heck of a lot - money is kind of tight now as we have had many expenses lately. Perhaps a setup that will give some benefit now and can be built upon next winter.

2

If price wasn’t a factor…

My favourite winter tires of all time would have to be Bridgestone Blizzaks. They’re pricey but well worth the incredible improvement they give for traction on ice and snow.

I would mount a set on separate steel rims and use them during the winter months then switch to your al rims and all season tires for the rest of the year… the Blizzaks will last longer and your alloy rims will also avoid the perils of winter (road salt).

Use the size of tires your car is designed for.

Check around and see what a set of Blizzaks will cost you, you could run them all year round as they do function well as an excellent all season tire… you can expect them to last sixty to seventy thousand kilometres using them like this.

3

k2dave

I have always bought tires going by the recommendations here.
http://www.consumerreports.org/main/home.jsp

4

I can’t really give you advice on strategy. I buy new tires when they are at about 50%. I run snows year round, for good reason.

Check out what the police in your area use. They need a tire that performs and has good value.