RE: Honda or Subaru

[NortheastAl]

Finally someone who knows winter tires! I have had Hakka 2s and now have Hakka 5s on my 2010 Forester and 2005 Impreza. They turn Subarus into snowmobiles. I can't ever get the car to spin while starting in a straight line (including at stop signs where you normally get ice buildup from 2WD spinning, too hard acceleration). They are expensive but what's an extra $300 when you spread it out over 5-6 winters?!

Andrew

Checked these tires out, as I had never heard of them. Impressive reviews. Might give these a try next time.

 

[RustyShackleford]

An old friend convinced me when I saw how his Legacy handled the twisty mountain roads. Something about the handling in those things, maybe it's the symmetry in the drivetrain or something, but it just feels rock solid negotiating mountain roads.

Then again you should already know this if you own one

Careful, you're going to annoy "some of their fanatics are more annoying than a splinter" Joful. But I agree, the handling is astonishing for a vehicle of this "practicality".

 

[Swedishchef]

Al; they are great tires. I won't ever put anything else on my car.

Rusty: LOL. Poor Joful. The fact is month after month for the past 5 years, Subaru is increasing sales. Subaru USA even outsold VW USA 3 years ago: and Subaru only had 5 models while VW had 9-10.

No more hijacking this thread....lol.

Andrew

 

[RustyShackleford]

The fact is month after month for the past 5 years, Subaru is increasing sales.

Yeah, I've read some interesting stuff. Subaru was THE only car maker in the world to increase sales during 2008 "great recession". Also, about 40% of buyers pay cash, way higher than average.

 

[Swedishchef]

I find I tend to see lots of professionals driving them ( like Volvo used to be...)

 

[TMonter]

Finally someone who knows winter tires! I have had Hakka 2s and now have Hakka 5s on my 2010 Forester and 2005 Impreza. They turn Subarus into snowmobiles. I can't ever get the car to spin while starting in a straight line (including at stop signs where you normally get ice buildup from 2WD spinning, too hard acceleration). They are expensive but what's an extra $300 when you spread it out over 5-6 winters?!

For most people I'd actually go for a studless snow tire unless you do a lot of driving on Ice. My experience with both is that the studless snow tires tend to be better in mixed conditions compared to studded units unless you are dealing with ice.

 

[Swedishchef]

Hey TMonter!

I do agree 100%. Traction on pave or wet pave is reduced with a studded tire BS non studded, there's no doubt in my mind. But what seems to happen where I live during storms is that the first 1-2 CM of snow gets packed, absorbs some water and then freezes. So underlying the snow can sometimes be ice. And on those days, I appreciate the studs.

However, I may try a non-studded tire soon. Studs get loud after hearing them for 4-5 months....

 

[velvetfoot]

We live on a hill and both cars have 4 studded snow tires. Ditto on the noise though.

 

[TMonter]

Hey TMonter!

I do agree 100%. Traction on pave or wet pave is reduced with a studded tire BS non studded, there's no doubt in my mind. But what seems to happen where I live during storms is that the first 1-2 CM of snow gets packed, absorbs some water and then freezes. So underlying the snow can sometimes be ice. And on those days, I appreciate the studs.

However, I may try a non-studded tire soon. Studs get loud after hearing them for 4-5 months....

Well my experience is with 2 sets of snow tires on my wife's van and the recent set was studless and I honestly think the van handles better overall with the studless tires than it did with the studded ones. She's currently running Michelin X-ICE2's during the winter months and it completely changes how the van handles from the summer tires.

When we had our Subaru I just ran a set of all-season tires that had been siped and it got around just fine but around here we mostly get packed snow and very few ice storms.

 

[Swedishchef]

Well my experience is with 2 sets of snow tires on my wife's van and the recent set was studless and I honestly think the van handles better overall with the studless tires than it did with the studded ones. She's currently running Michelin X-ICE2's during the winter months and it completely changes how the van handles from the summer tires.

When we had our Subaru I just ran a set of all-season tires that had been siped and it got around just fine but around here we mostly get packed snow and very few ice storms.

I would certainly handle different. Winter tires are made of much softer rubber that resists getting hard in lower temps. X-ice 2 are great tires! Just remember though : I live in the snow capital of North America ( well, almost the capital....)

No more tire posts, too far off topic. Lol

 

[Ashful]

I find I tend to see lots of professionals driving them ( like Volvo used to be...)

<-- owns a Volvo AWD V50 T5 R-design, wife's fast kid hauler

 

[Swedishchef]

<-- owns a Volvo AWD V50 T5 R-design, wife's fast kid hauler

I own lots of things as well that I can never use/touch

 

[Ashful]

I own lots of things as well that I can never use/touch

Oh, I can use it any time I want, but as I don't like sitting in crumbs or having my arm stick to the mystery goo (dried juice?) on the arm rest, or chit stacked on the passenger seat flying at me when taking a corner... I just stick to my pickup truck most of the time. I'll never understand how a woman with such fastidiously neat parents can live in such chaos.

edit: sorry for the de-rail

 

[jharkin]

Didnt you do this snow tire survey 6 months ago Andrew?


I remember us Pilot Alipin,X-Ice and Blizzak drivers were considered unworthy back then too

 

[jharkin]

Oh, I can use it any time I want, but as I don't like sitting in crumbs or having my arm stick to the mystery goo (dried juice?) on the arm rest, or chit stacked on the passenger seat flying at me when taking a corner... I just stick to my pickup truck most of the time. I'll never understand how a woman with such fastidiously neat parents can live in such chaos.

edit: sorry for the de-rail

Sounds familiar. If she sees one drop of coffee on the kithcen floor my wife will drop everything, vacuum and mop the entire house. But her Honda Pilot looks like a warzone around the child seats.

 

[Swedishchef]

Didnt you do this snow tire survey 6 months ago Andrew?


I remember us Pilot Alipin,X-Ice and Blizzak drivers were considered unworthy back then too

You're still unworthy But I love you just the same.

 

[jharkin]

awwwwwwwwwww shucks