Ive got a cx50, live in Tahoe where it snows plenty, and with all weather tires, this thing is a beast.
I'm currently running Firehawk Indy 500 Performance tires as all seasons and they do well enough in small amounts of snow
I've only driven on them for 30 miles but holy crap are these things amazing. These winters grip better in the cold than the crappy Firestone summers my car came on grip the warm. I'm able to launch a 0-60 with minimal wheel spin and without chirping the tires on the 1-2 shift. These are also softer and quieter than any Blizzaks or X-Ice Snows I've had. They're soft and squishy and compliant. They give a great ride and still retain some steering feedback.
I got a Mazda 2 with good winter tires , I'm in Calgary. It costs me almost nothing on gas, and I finish the week with way more money in my pocket. in my 40 years of life I've learned a FWD car with decent rubber will handle winter good as any suv.
I commuted 100 miles a day in my CX5 in snowy Maine. I had a 6speed manual transmission and snow tires and never had a problem.
I've had a FWD Corolla for 12 years and it has gotten me through the worst kind of storms in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and here in NL with Firestone Winterforce tires. I swear by them! I've gotten through conditions in snow storms that even big jacked up 4 wheel drive trucks got stuck in.
I've been pretty happy with the cost/benefit of Firestone Indyhawk/Indy500/whatever they're calling them these days, on the stock wheels. They don't last long (I get 10-15k miles out of a set) but they're damn cheap ($650-$750), and break traction quite easily and predictably, if you enjoy going a little sideways often. I usually am running the Flying Miata alignment specs with these tires break loose fantastically easily and enjoyable for me on that alignment. On a factory alignment though they are reasonably grippy for spirited street driving. Again though the biggest benefit of them is they are super widely available (because Firestone) and CHEAP.
Fair warning they're sketchy in heavy rain and temps below 40 f
Worst tires I have ever purchased. Snow traction was very good for an all season, but these should be marketed as a snow tire. The first set wore out in 13500 miles (in part due to a slight misalignment), and the second set are near garbage after 23000 miles. Most frustrating, is that they have cracked in between the tread. Firestone offered a measly discount as a warranty claim for the first set, I think $15 per tire. Spend the extra money and get a better set of all seasons.
I have these on my RAM 1500 and they spin on wet pavement even with care on the throttle.
Write your review
Help others - share your experience with this part.
Voted AGAINST engine oil RAVENOL on the rating page
The brake pads NIPPARTS got the first review!
The brake discs Hella got the first review!
The brake discs OEM Suzuki got the first review!
For tires OEM Toyota already 25 reviews.
For tires IRONMAN already 25 reviews.
For starter motor OEM Volkswagen already 25 reviews.
In the rating best ignition coil already 13 brands participate!
In the rating best fuel pump already 5 brands participate!
In the rating best turbocharger already 4 brands participate!
In the auto rating headlights for Volkswagen Golf already 5 brands participate!
In the auto rating brake pads for Mazda 5 already 10 brands participate!
In the auto rating brake pads for BMW M2 already 5 brands participate!
Voted AGAINST engine oil RED LINE on the rating page
Voted AGAINST engine oil PENNZOIL on the rating page
