dannyis300

Hi,

I am about to buy a 2001 Lexus IS 300 with Limited Slip Differential (LSD).
I am from Montreal.
This car will be my first rear wheel drive. (Never experienced that kind of car before)

My Questions:
1)How is the IS 300 doing in the snow? (in Montreal, we get 30cm of snow sometimes...)
2)What kind of winter tires do you guys suggest?

Thanks for your help.

Measured

iTrader: (1)

It'll be fine in the snow as long as you aren't lowered. Going slow in those conditions is key to being safe. Go to your local tire dealer to best fit you a set based off how you drive or where you drive. This will be most important part.

I personally went for a more aggressive set of snow tires compared to my previous winter on a different car.

If you can afford it go with Nokian as they are the industry standard for winters. If not you can look at other options. Here is some that I would recommend, but again I suggest you have a discussion with your local tire dealer.

-General Altimax Artic
-Pirelli Winter Carving edge
-Nokian (any are good)

This is a good place to start and perhaps look at winter cables in your trunk for the "just in case" scenario if you need to.

Measured

iTrader: (1)

One thing I forgot to mention is, when it snows you should go find a nice large open lot to get the feel of your car and the tires so you can handle situations better if it came to it. I personally prefer not to have any assisted control when driving except ABS in winter conditions.

dannyis300

Thanks

What do you think about something like this nokian?
http://montreal.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...AdIdZ237641222

narfy

check your local by-laws to see if studded tires are allowed...

if you can, try to find 2001-2005 rav4 16" wheels to put onto your car. i believe they clear your brakes, but test fit them first. then buy 205/55r16" winter tires.'

the winter tires i've tried, in the order i like them...

for studded tires:
nokian hakkapeliita 5
hankook ipike w409 (get them studded)

for non studded:
michelin x-ice 2
nokian hakkapeliita R
bridgestone blizzak WS70
general altimax arctic
bf goodrich winter slalom KSI
yokohama IG20

for performance winter:
michelin pilot alpin 3
michelin primacy alpin 3
yokohama W.drive

Arcadian

I am happy with Michelin Arctic Alpins on my GS400. I don't have LSD and sometimes actually have to switch off traction control to get going. Get the best snow tires you can afford, the technology has come a long way. Don't forget, our Dad's and Grand-dad's drove rear-wheel drive cars with skinny, bias ply tires and no ABS or traction control in the same snowy conditions.

narfy

michelin arctic alpins?? those are 2 generations old atleast! time to replace them with pilot alpin 3

tfelsky

If you do any kind of distance driving consider a Run Flat option if you are staggering your wheels. The donut spare will not help traction on a back wheel.

Arcadian

Ha, my bad! I looked at them today, they are Pilot Alpins. Should have known Steve at Waterloo Ford only sells me the good stuff.

busdepot

iTrader: (1)

Dude, get studs. I'm out west in Calgary and I do trips through the mountains for skiing on a regular basis. Studs are 100% worth it, especially on that ultra fun ice in the Plateau and throughout Cote des Neiges (lived in MTL for a while)

busdepot

iTrader: (1)

Also, don't be so hung up on name either. Yes I understand people are going to hate on me for this but it's true. The Nokian, the Generals, and a few others have identical tread patterns. You're not going to be bombing corners in the snow so the most important thing isn't a "high performance" winter tire. They are a waste of time and money, it's an oxymoron. You want deep directional tread (with studs if permitted) on a narrower tire than what you'd normally drive on.

The General's are a good buy as are the Hankooks. The Michelin's are overpriced. Get performance summers instead.

narfy

performance winter tires are only better for those cold days with no snow... then they feel more like an all season tire in those conditions... but they are not as good in severe winter conditions...

the general altimax arctic has been reviewed by many people as the best bang for the buck winter tire... go with that, in 205/55r16" and u can save more money...