Topic: Which of 3 Winter Choices for 07 Sentra

[2latecrew]

Looking for opinions/experiences to help me choose

Car 07 Sentra S
Tire Size 205/55/16

Use mostly clear road winter highway or around town in Nova Scotia. Lots of slush conditions. Usually don't drive a lot on unplowed roads as can usally choose to simply stay home until road is plowed.

Would prefer to avoid anything too noisy.

Choices below (all prices tax in install and balance)
$588.80 fo Firistone Winter force
$639.40 Continental extreme winter Contact,
616.40 General Altimax Arctic

Leaning towards the Contis and spending the extra 50$ or so because they are T rated and likely will handle better in the dry. They would be installed this week and on until April

[AP]

I would do as you suggested.  The Altimax, though a dated tire, tends also to be well regarded.  With the Winterforce the reduced capability is disproportionate to the money saved. 

[mrthompson]

The Winterforce, unless it has been updated, is a noisy tire.

[aquadorhj]

the Contis are very quiet, for sure. very very capable in winter, but the T load rating may be misleading, as it is quite soft. (may be i had high profile?). 

winterforce is rated quite poor..  had no exp with general, but it's rated well.

[davidy]

Either the General Altimax Arctics or Continental ExtremeWinterContact. The Generals have better wet performance (wet braking and hydroplaning) than the EWC as per Consumer Reports in the attached link:

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/winter-tire-reviews-rankings-recommendations-compilation-cr-apa-etc-1089871/

I think that the EWC are quieter and better handling on the highway. If you were on the west coast, I would get the General Altimax Arctics. Vancouver averages about 5 feet of rain each year. In Prince Rupert, it averages to about 8 feet a year.

In the testing by Tirerack in real world situations, the Generals outperformed the Firestone Winterforce and Pirelli Winter Carving Edge. Winterforce use to be a price leader until this year when their prices went up big time.

I have studded General Altimax Arctics on my truck. Last winter, they slipped less what I can count on one hand. Not sure how noisy when unstudded since all studded winter tires tend to be quite noisy.

Dave

[2latecrew]

Thanks for the input folks. Decided to go with the Contis. Its only an extra 23$ which is nothing and I think they will have better clear road handling and noise. After checking Tire Rack, Tire Trends and Discount Tires direct I'm convinced that the pricing is very competitive too so I prefer to have the snows installed when I pick up my new(to me ) car.

[Angry Chicken]

Thanks for the input folks. Decided to go with the Contis. Its only an extra 23$ which is nothing and I think they will have better clear road handling and noise. After checking Tire Rack, Tire Trends and Discount Tires direct I'm convinced that the pricing is very competitive too so I prefer to have the snows installed when I pick up my new(to me ) car.

That means there will be a number of us who will be able to provide unbiased (!) reviews on the Continental ExtremeWinterContact in the coming months.  I bought my set of 4 basically on the recommendation of a couple of forum members here since I've come to respect their opinion more than the so-called "reviews" from customers of Tirerack, 1010tires, etc.  Your review should be particularly interesting since you have to deal with sloppy, slushy and miserable Maritime winters.  I'm from eastern Ontario where the roads tend to be icy, wind-swept and rutted with ice in a bad blow and some of the other forum members come from western climes near the Rockies where they're more likely to see heavy snow build-ups.

My tires are low profile 205/50-17 but I've had a fair amount of experience with winter tires of that size with my last Mazda3 so have something to compare to.

Again, it should be interesting what our collective impressions are....

[safristi]

it's "Extreme" to hope the Conti's will protect ya from as you say "A BAD BLOW"..........maybe--perhaps chaffed lips !!??