Being a native New Englander with over 25 years of driving to ski country and 15 years racing PRO Rally, my opinion is that winter driving comes down to two things: tires and experience.

Dedicated winter tires, Nokians are hands-down best in my opinion, make all the difference in the world. When it comes down to it, the only contact you have with the driving surface is your tires. No technology can make up for having the wrong tires for the road conditions. All-seasons are a compromise at best and tend towards hard rubber compounds for boasting longevity. High performance "summer" tires use rubber compounds that require heat build up for grip. In the winter, snow or no snow, a high performance tire's rubber gets hard, reducing grip. Dedicated winter tires have rubber compounds that remain soft and grippy in the coldest temperatures. Nokians tend to have firmer tread blocks and sidewalls so that dry road handling remains good without that squishy feeling that other snow tires have; Bridgestone Blizzaks are an example of that squishy dry road feel. Nokian tread design and rubber compound make the tires great handlers in rain, slush, snow and ice common to winter driving. I find that once someone tries some good snow tires, they are hooked.

posted by 65.214.237...

• Is there a better non-awd winter car than a C900?, Hood, Wed, 28 Jan 2004 11:14:05
  • 2 stroke bullnose 96, 4saabs, Thu, 29 Jan 2004 17:02:03
  • Yes, the Saab 99, EricG, Wed, 28 Jan 2004 19:41:04
    • ditto that..., compaqted, Thu, 29 Jan 2004 08:28:09
    • Well, any SAAB with 165/15 tires is a blast in the snow, IrieTom , Wed, 28 Jan 2004 22:26:23
  • Re: Is there a better non-awd winter car than a C900?, jp, Wed, 28 Jan 2004 19:08:52
  • take it from a Buffalonian..., modest mouse , Wed, 28 Jan 2004 17:02:34
    • I remember that snow..., Stephen Goldberger, Thu, 29 Jan 2004 14:42:32
  • Re: Is there a better non-awd winter car than a C900?, joe w., Wed, 28 Jan 2004 12:19:47
  • 9-5 Winter Mode should be AWD standard bearer n/m, Jon in Chicago, Wed, 28 Jan 2004 12:16:19
    • Since you asked..., Camm , Wed, 28 Jan 2004 13:41:54
      • Ahh, but are they *9-5s*?, Jon in Chicago, Wed, 28 Jan 2004 15:06:46
        • I'll toss in the venerable 99, Rick D., Wed, 28 Jan 2004 15:38:27
  • Yes, the 9000, saabaru, Wed, 28 Jan 2004 11:48:24
    • I agree., Jeff Cunningham, Wed, 28 Jan 2004 12:28:38
      • second that..., Todd , Wed, 28 Jan 2004 19:16:28
        • I'll third that...., turrbo , Wed, 28 Jan 2004 19:23:36
          • I'll fourth that..., No.9, Thu, 29 Jan 2004 09:21:03
  • How about a 9-5?, Viggen Pilot, Wed, 28 Jan 2004 11:20:02
    • Its all tires......, dirft, Wed, 28 Jan 2004 12:22:42 <-- Viewing This Message
      • Yes, it's all in the tires. n/m, TKC, Wed, 28 Jan 2004 12:29:16

No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.

• Prev by Date: 6 amp 1/2" Hammer Drill from Sears for $48, jimtimkim w/ many Saabs, Wed, 28 Jan 2004 12:21:15
• Next by Date: Totally don't get the 78' Accord on this list?, Jon in Chicago, Wed, 28 Jan 2004 12:23:27
• Main General Bulletin Board

StateOfNine.com

SaabClub.com

Jak Stoll Performance

M Car Covers

Ad Available

The content on this site may not be republished without permission. Copyright © 1988-2024 - The Saab Network - saabnet.com.
For usage guidelines, see the Mission & Privacy Notice.
[Contact | Site Map | Saabnet.com on Facebook | Saabnet.com on Twitter | Shop Amazon via TSN | Site Donations]

Random Saabnet.com Member Gallery Photos (Click Image)