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I spotted a NEW (insert make/model) today!

10982 messages,  Last post on Jun 17, 2013 at 6:37 AM

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What is this discussion about? Sedan

Messages Page 1016 of 1099

#10145 of 10982 Re: Heading to the dealer [ateixeira] by fintail

Jan 24, 2013 (7:44 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 24, 2013 3:37 pm)
Most of the small SUV class is all show no go. As this big wheel trend is relatively new, I suspect the buyers have no idea what they are getting into.
 
Funny thing, depending on how muted the styling cues are, the Sportcross might be tolerable.
 
Saw a Ferrari 458 out in the rain tonight.

#10146 of 10982 Re: Heading to the dealer [kyfdx] by robr2

Jan 25, 2013 (5:45 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Jan 24, 2013 4:44 pm)
Poor suckers buy Venzas and Highlanders, and can't understand why they are so bad in the snow... It's ridonkulous..
 
That's why they make 17" snow tire packages for it. I would do it but I realize most folks don't bother with winter tires anymore.

#10147 of 10982 Re: Heading to the dealer [robr2] by lemko

Jan 25, 2013 (6:40 am)

Replying to: robr2 (Jan 25, 2013 5:45 am)
Changing from "summer tires" to "snow tires" was an annual autumn ritual for me for many years. The last car on which I used snow tires was my 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis LS.
 
Better yet, they were studded snow tires which helped a lot on snow and ice. PA state law stated you couldn't have them on the car earlier than November 15th or later than April 15th as they tended to be rough on paved roads. Upon removal in spring, you had to mark which tire was on the left and which was on the right due to the way these tires wore.

#10148 of 10982 Re: Heading to the dealer [lemko] by steve_ HOST

Jan 25, 2013 (6:55 am)

Replying to: lemko (Jan 25, 2013 6:40 am)
That's one ritual I don't miss. Even when I had mounted studs, it was a pain.
 
Both the old rides have 15" wheels.
 
When we shopped a new MT Elantra Touring right before they changed the style, the trim had bigger "upscale" wheels. The dealer wasn't interested in any kind of swap and that dampened my enthusiasm a bit.

#10149 of 10982 Spotted... by lemko

Jan 25, 2013 (7:02 am)

...another Cadillac XTS - this time travelling north on Tabor at Robbins in NE Philly. Funny thing is, I saw a 2000-2005 DeVille travelling east on Tabor nearby. That DeVille looked huge compared to the XTS. Heck, I always thought my similar 2007 DTS Performance was kind of petite.

#10150 of 10982 Re: Heading to the dealer [kyfdx] by anythngbutgm

Jan 25, 2013 (7:05 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Jan 24, 2013 4:44 pm)
I stopped a Venza owner at a gas station one day and asked him how his 20" clad Venza was in the snow and he said it was awesome. Makes it up his 20 degree pitched driveway just fine. I know, one a single data point but still...
 
I did a quick check on Mazdas site and it looks like they truely are 19's. Only the base models come with 17's and there is nothing in between.
 
Style over substance for sure.

#10151 of 10982 Re: Heading to the dealer [robr2] by anythngbutgm

Jan 25, 2013 (7:11 am)

Replying to: robr2 (Jan 25, 2013 5:45 am)
Surely you remember last season tho, other than the big storm in October 2011, we (Mass.) had no snow at all.
 
I think that is one of the biggest problems with snow tires (at least in areas of the Country where snow season is not garaunteed), you put them on and they get worn out fast when they go a season on dry pavement. Plus IIRC, snows tend to be noisy on dry roads as well.

#10152 of 10982 Re: Heading to the dealer [anythngbutgm] by robr2

Jan 25, 2013 (7:59 am)

Replying to: anythngbutgm (Jan 25, 2013 7:11 am)
Surely you remember last season tho, other than the big storm in October 2011, we (Mass.) had no snow at all.
 
True but that is the exception rather than the norm. I spend a lot of time up north camping and skiing in the winter and things can be different 100 miles north of Boston.
 
I think that is one of the biggest problems with snow tires (at least in areas of the Country where snow season is not garaunteed), you put them on and they get worn out fast when they go a season on dry pavement. Plus IIRC, snows tend to be noisy on dry roads as well.
 
Yes they do wear faster on dry pavement and can be noisy but I'll trade that for the extra traction being available. Remember that under 40F, all season/summer tires lose grip very quickly.

#10153 of 10982 Re: Heading to the dealer [anythngbutgm] by lemko

Jan 25, 2013 (8:25 am)

Replying to: anythngbutgm (Jan 25, 2013 7:11 am)
I remember a constant hum from those studded snow tires on dry pavement. One got used to it after a while.

#10154 of 10982 Re: Heading to the dealer [explorerx4] by ateixeira

Jan 25, 2013 (9:03 am)

Replying to: explorerx4 (Jan 24, 2013 5:57 pm)
04 has 16 inch wheels, 09 has 17 inch wheels and the 13 has 19 inch wheels
 
At that rate, a 3" increase per decade, she'll have DUBs in no time.
 
I don't change tires, I change cars.
 
Miata with summer gumballs for fair weather, steal the wife's Subaru for snow.

Messages Page 1016 of 1099

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