Originally Posted by
Mark
In the States, 165/65r14 winter tire options are pretty much Dunlop Winter Maxx WM02 & Nokian Nordman 7 (offered in both studded & non-studded tires). Dunlop may get high praise, because of limited choices here?
The other factory size (175/55r15) seems even worst for winter tire choices. Having 14" rims on my Mirage, I haven't look all that hard at 15" snow tire choices, but 175/55r15 snow tires choices appear to be lacking here, too. It may be worst than 14" choices?
Tirerack.com does offer the Vredestein Quatrac 5 in both factory tires sizes, & it's a somewhat well received all-weather (not all-season) tire that does OK in winter.
Obviously, jumping to a slightly different size like 175/65r14 creates more snow tire options. If members are sticking to 165/65r14 factory size winter tires, however, you're looking @ the Dunlop & Nokian.
Having dealt with winter ridge roads for decades, the Mirage is not spectacular in snow. It's not the worst FWD vehicle I have owned, but it's surely not the best either. My very, very basic 1990 Ford Festiva was awesome in snow with its 145SR12 tires. I never found snow tires for that car, but I never felt like I needed them either. My Mirage with Nokian snow tires up front isn't anywhere as good as the Festiva in snow. Why? I don't really know? A 1990 Festiva surely didn't have ABS, traction control, stability control, etc. & the 12" skinny tires surely didn't hold it back from climbing ridge roads. I drove the Festiva for 14 winters, & it always made it home in the winter. I can't say the same for my Mirage.
I drove to town today during a decent snow storm. The roads were pretty bad. Worst I have been on this winter. My Subaru Forester with its older style Cooper Weather-Master S/T2 snow tires is amazing in snow. My Mirage would not have made it home today. Ironically, the snow plow came by my house 10 minutes after I got home. Thus, I would have made it home with my Mirage eventually I guess.
Some people don't make it up the road I climb in the winter. I've helped stranded women in mini-vans turn their vehicle around in the road to go back down. The one side is a drop off into a large gully, & it is scary for them. I live in the driftless region of Wisconsin, & it is a bit more rugged terrain here. It justifies owning an AWD vehicle & using snow tires.
The Mirage is not a horrible winter car, but there are days when I appreciate my AWD vehicle. Today was one of them.