Topic: GT Radial WT - opinions??

[tc.xmen]

Heard that this winter tire was a big seller at Steelcase Tires and Mags (Toronto).  Talked to Jim and he said it did well in all winter conditions.
Anyone use this tire? 
The tire company is located in Asia somewhere.

[Craig]

I fell for the schpiel recently, not that I regret doing so (yet, anyway).  There is little information out there on them, but they were too good of a deal to pass up, they were H-rated in my size, and what information is out there is mostly positive.  Also, they looked like bad-ass snow tires with deep, chunky tread

They are not yet on the EL, but I'll be doing the changeover in a week or two.

GT Radial are an Indonesian company.

[quadzilla]

I also bought a set of these and they have been on the car for two weeks now.   I took them on a long run up to Tobermory just this weekend to see how they would be on the highways and if my mileage would change any.

I downsized to 205/55/16-H rated (summers are 215/50/17-V rated) and noticed a difference in handling right away, as you do with most minus one snow tires.  The biggest difference was initial turn in as it now feels slower with a little more lean which I would say is normal.  Grip in the dry/wet is very predictable but I haven't taken them to the limits yet.  On the highway there was the usual noise but it wasn't too loud (my summer Yoko's on the P5 were noisier). 

My mileage didn't change at all as I achieved 8L/100 for the entire 626km trip. 

No idea on snow, ice or cold (-5C and colder) roads yet as the weather is still holding on.

Here is a pictures and yes my car is dirty.

[tc.xmen]

I fell for the schpiel recently, not that I regret doing so (yet, anyway).  There is little information out there on them, but they were too good of a deal to pass up, they were H-rated in my size, and what information is out there is mostly positive.  Also, they looked like bad-ass snow tires with deep, chunky tread

They are not yet on the EL, but I'll be doing the changeover in a week or two.

GT Radial are an Indonesian company.

Chansen,

Can you let me know how they are once you've got them installed. 
Reading from other threads I know you've tried many winter tires. Hopefully it won't be too late to purchase these tires or others before the 1st snowfall.

I also bought a set of these and they have been on the car for two weeks now. I took them on a long run up to Tobermory just this weekend to see how they would be on the highways and if my mileage would change any.

I downsized to 205/55/16-H rated (summers are 215/50/17-V rated) and noticed a difference in handling right away, as you do with most minus one snow tires. The biggest difference was initial turn in as it now feels slower with a little more lean which I would say is normal. Grip in the dry/wet is very predictable but I haven't taken them to the limits yet. On the highway there was the usual noise but it wasn't too loud (my summer Yoko's on the P5 were noisier).

My mileage didn't change at all as I achieved 8L/100 for the entire 626km trip.

No idea on snow, ice or cold (-5C and colder) roads yet as the weather is still holding on.

Here is a pictures and yes my car is dirty.

Quadzilla,

Thanks for your input.  I was hoping to get a little more info as to the performance in snow/slush/ice conditions, nevertheless it's helpful.

[21Rouge]

Heard that this winter tire was a big seller at Steelcase Tires and Mags (Toronto).  Talked to Jim and he said it did well in all winter conditions.
Anyone use this tire? 
The tire company is located in Asia somewhere.

Funny to see this thread. I had just spoke with..Dave...at Steelcase. He recommended the GT Radial WT 65. For the 15" size on my Vibe with steel wheels the price would be $649 plus tax. I was hoping to find some reviews of this particular tire...not alot out there. Did find this however: 

http://autonet.ca/SunDrive/Toronto/story.cfm?story=/SunDrive/Toronto/Saturday/2005/10/29/1286463-sun.html

I would like to do some comparison shopping in the Greater Toronto Area.

[Craig]

Comparing what?  Price on GT Radials?  Good luck finding another store that carries them, and if they do, they probably source them from Steelcase.  Just before I got the Hakka 1s for the old Matrix in December 2002, I was surprised to find Oakville Toyota offered them.  I asked how much, and they quoted me $200 more than the quote from Steelcase.  I told them I'd just drive to Steelcase in Markham, and Oakville Toyota were surprised I knew about Steelcase, because that was who supplied them with Nokians.

If you're price shopping the GT Radial Champiro WT, you probably have to cmpare it to the Kumho KW19, one of the Hankook tires, or some of the other budget tires being discussed in other threads.  They'll all work to a certain degree.  It just depends on where your comfort level resides when balancing snow/ice/dry performance, and if you feel the premium brands are worth the extra.

I will say this - I kinda wish I had bought the Hakka 2.  When I bought the Champiro, I was commuting 407 and 400 to Newmarket from Mississauga.  Now we're moving to Bolton, and I'm travelling the hilly and twisty King Road.  The selling point to the Champiro was the H-rating for 400 series highways.  Now, the Nokian would probably be the better bet for me.  My Champiros are 195/55R15, if anyone is interested

I bought in the summer, because I just got some second hand alloys, switched the Yoko T4 summers to the alloys, and figured I might as well get summers mounted at the same time, saving me some mounting fees and time this fall.

I'm sure the Champiros are a decent tire, or I wouldn't have bought them.  tc.xmen, I won't be able to tell you much until the snow flies.

[canadianexpress]

I have use the 155-80-13 T rated for 2 seasons (sold my 89 corolla) and have pretty good results with them.  Last year when the road was a little icy on my street ( with a pretty long slope), people with all season was spinning all over the place.  I did not slip once.  Also the tires is pretty good on hard packed or fresh snow.  I did not really have a chance to test it on heavy snow.  Tread wear was very good, and the tires were better on turns then the original all season which was q rated.

[21Rouge]

If you're price shopping the GT Radial Champiro WT, you probably have to cmpare it to the Kumho KW19, one of the Hankook tires, or some of the other budget tires being discussed in other threads.  They'll all work to a certain degree.  It just depends on where your comfort level resides when balancing snow/ice/dry performance, and if you feel the premium brands are worth the extra.

Besides the GT WT I was/am considering the KW 19. Although it appears that the KW 19 are more expensive than the GT Radials. And when I called Steelcase he discouraged the selection of the Kumho and recommended the GT or the Nokian.

My Champiros are 195/55R15, if anyone is interested

Maybe I missed it but what car are they on?

[Craig]

The Acura EL in my sig.

And of course Steelcase is going to advise against Kumho - they don't carry them.

[21Rouge]

The Acura EL in my sig.

Oops

And of course Steelcase is going to advise against Kumho - they don't carry them.

Yup. And that is why it is somewhat difficult to decide on tires.

[Craig]

If prices are similar, just pick one and go with it.  They'll both likely work well.

[tc.xmen]

If you're price shopping the GT Radial Champiro WT, you probably have to cmpare it to the Kumho KW19, one of the Hankook tires, or some of the other budget tires being discussed in other threads.  They'll all work to a certain degree.  It just depends on where your comfort level resides when balancing snow/ice/dry performance, and if you feel the premium brands are worth the extra.

Besides the GT WT I was/am considering the KW 19. Although it appears that the KW 19 are more expensive than the GT Radials. And when I called Steelcase he discouraged the selection of the Kumho and recommended the GT or the Nokian.

My Champiros are 195/55R15, if anyone is interested

Maybe I missed it but what car are they on?

Same here when I asked Steelcase about Kumho and Hankook they said they didn't sell them.  Which is fine and all, but then they went on to say that the Kumho tires was questionable because Steelcase had bad experiences with them and Hankook was manufactured in Korea and the quality was questionable.  Steelcase also made a few negative comments about Kumho and Hankook.  To me that's disappointing because Steelcase seems like a reputable place and they know their tires, but to diss other tires................especially when there are good reviews on Tiretrend and other sites..........
I don't care who you are or how long you've been in the business that's just plain arrogance and condescending.
Sorry for the rant.  Now I feel better getting that out of my system.  Guess i'll be looking at the Hankook W300 or Viking SnowTech.
 

[21Rouge]

Guess i'll be looking at the Hankook W300 or Viking SnowTech.

How do the prices of these compare to the GT?

Where do you think you will go to buy and install either of these?

[Craig]

Kumho can be found at TireTrends (see banner ad).  In Toronto, I know you can get them at Wheels Direct in Scarborough.  Hankook - don't know.  Try their website.

[tc.xmen]

Guess i'll be looking at the Hankook W300 or Viking SnowTech.

How do the prices of these compare to the GT?

Where do you think you will go to buy and install either of these?

The price for the Hankook and Viking is about the same as the GT, give or take a few $$.  Just too many choices.

You can get the Viking at Tireworks in Mississauga.

The Hankook, as Chansen states, you'll have to check their website for dealers or Tiretrend will deliver to you. 

[21Rouge]

Just too many choices.

Made the decision today. From a small local shop. Tomorrow I get installation of the the Nokian RSI for our 5 speed Vibe and Hankook 401 for our 2000 Montana minivan. Glad this is over.

[articsteve]

What sizes and how much?

[quadzilla]

Just too many choices.

Made the decision today. From a small local shop. Tomorrow I get installation of the the Nokian RSI for our 5 speed Vibe and Hankook 401 for our 2000 Montana minivan. Glad this is over.

Any reason why you got the RSI's?  I also considered these also but obviously went with the G/T's.  Do post updated on how you find them of course.

[21Rouge]

What sizes and how much?

4 Nokian RSI (195 65 15) and 4 Hankook W401 (215 70 15) + 2 sets of 4 rims + balancing and installation + tax = $1525

[msian]

What sizes and how much?

4 Nokian RSI (195 65 15) and 4 Hankook W401 (215 70 15) + 2 sets of 4 rims + balancing and installation + tax = $1525

How much are the RSIs?