Blizzak vs. Observe vs. Hakkapeliitta?

[pixitha]

I'm trying to decide which winter studless tire to buy for my 2007 Yaris Sedan and have come down to 3 options.

The Blizzak WS70 is the tire that TireRack recommends (185/60R15 Bridgestone Blizzak WS70 to be exact) $357 shipped (still need to be installed/mounted)

The local Les Schwab dealer carries Toyo Observe G02+ and recommends that. (185/60R-15 84-T Observe G02+ to be exact). $472.59 mounted and such.

The TireFactory place in town recommends the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R for winter.
(185/60-15) $618 mounted and installed.

Now I've seen people say that the Nokian are the king, but I don't think I can justify spending quite that much more for tires compared to the Observe or even the Blizzak.

[SpaceShot]

I used the Blizzaks on my prior vehicles (Suzuki, Scion) but now have Hankook on my Yaris. You can get them mounted and balanced on budget rims from either Tire Rack or DiscountTire.com (although sometimes Tire Rack will be out of stock for plain steel wheels)
With some universal type steel wheels, you may need a set of hub centering rings to properly fit the wheel on the Yaris. (an extra $12)

Once the original set wears out, then I take the rims to the local tire wholesale and get the next set mounted and balanced locally. Fortunately I have a detached garage where I can store the other set of wheels and do my own change overs Dec 1 and Apr 1.

[UTVitz]

Having extensively researched this a year ago for my Yaris, I'll chime in about what I found. I don't know if this is still true since so much flack came out about the blizzaks only being 50% winter compound for the first half and only an all-season after that. However, it is recommended winter tires be replaced when they are 50% worn, so it might not matter. Other than that bit of info. I learned the blizzaks are an excellent winter tire. The toyo's intrigued me as they have ground up walnut shell in the tread compound to give bitting edges in icy conditions-sounds pretty cool and you can feel and see the shell bits on a worn observe. I almost went with the toyo's, but read that although effective it was old technology and the michelin x-ice2 was the latest and greatest and went with that with no regrets a year later. Nokian is not a brand commonly offered in my area and never researched them.

[Kal-El]

How did you come to these three choices?

Might as well open up your choices. Here's some very high rated models and less expensive too.


http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/conti/co_extrmwincont_ci2_l.jpg - Continental ExtremeWinterContact - $68

http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/general/ge_altimax_arctic_ci2_l.jpg - General Altimax Arctic - $62

[MUSKOKA800]

Of your choices, Blizzak for their superior ice performance.
Personally, Michelin X-Ice XI2 for their well rounded performance and extended lifespan.

[pixitha]

well I had to jump the gun a bit and just make a choice the weather is staying bad and the roads are only getting worse.

I opted to get the Blizzaks from Tirerack (using the affiliate link!) and swap them to the steel rims that my summer tires are on. Then I can justify buying some nicer alloy rims this spring!

I think the Blizzak is going to be a good choice, we'll see!

[Hershey]

well I had to jump the gun a bit and just make a choice the weather is staying bad and the roads are only getting worse.

I opted to get the Blizzaks from Tirerack (using the affiliate link!) and swap them to the steel rims that my summer tires are on. Then I can justify buying some nicer alloy rims this spring!

I think the Blizzak is going to be a good choice, we'll see! Let us know how they work for you . We just bought the WS 70s' for the 2010 3 door . Thanks .

[awdblazer]

nokian for the win, those other two shouldnt even be compared to the nokians

[SailDesign]

How did you come to these three choices?

Might as well open up your choices. Here's some very high rated models and less expensive too.


http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/conti/co_extrmwincont_ci2_l.jpg - Continental ExtremeWinterContact - $68

http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/general/ge_altimax_arctic_ci2_l.jpg - General Altimax Arctic - $62

The General Altimax Arctic is made from Hakapellittaa molds, using a more modern compound (and cost $100 less PER CORNER!). Why go anywhere else?

[Hershey]

$89 each for the WS 70s' . These use no studs . Softer rubbber . There's metal in the mix . What one ,:iono:. I like the look of the tread design to expel snow from the tires . Time will tell .

[marcus]

i just got me hankook w409 i pike cheap too a little worried about tire noise but it doesnt have one..sick tread too.. cost me $81 canadian per tire tax in and installed..then again that was cost price

[pixitha]

Well I'm not too happy with TireRack right now about this order...

I have 2 out of 4 tires now....the other 2 were sent a totally different direction through UPS at a later time (instead of all 4 being on the same truck from TireRack).

But they do look like really nice tires so far...

[Hershey]

So far the new 70s' are working very well on the 375 foot icy paved driveway that has a 35 degree grade .

[sickpuppy1]

Good Grief Hersey! Thats a nasty steep driveway from the sounds of it! Get kids sledding down it much? I would be,lol

[Hershey]

It's a backbreaker :frown: when it comes to shoveling it . Had to clear it for the past 4 days .

[pixitha]

So ive been running on the on the WS70s for a lil while now, and had a chance to use them in snow, ice and normal driving and I'm loving them.

Going from regular tires to these is like night and day when it comes to grip.

Very happy with my choice.