Wagon Stoke

[schuss]

Dedicated winter tire recs - who’s running them?

I’m gonna make the jump from all seasons to winter/summer wheelsets. Winter destinations will have peculiar names like Gore, Smuggs, Magic, Jay (mind if I do a J?) with lots of interstate before getting to the backroads. I see blizzaks and x-ice mentioned but wondering if there are others?


Sent from some smartphone by a dumbass

Honestly I'm in the midst of going the other way-crossclimates (or others with the 3 peak thing) do everything you need them to.
If you're hell bent on dedicated snows, this is my list:
Best - Nokia hakkas
Better tier
Better on ice - x ice
Better in deep snow - blizzak (though I had some chunking problrms when I ran them)
Best for the money - arctic alpin

[schuss]

Note my list is specific to NH/ME/VT experiences

[Mustonen]

Dedicated winter tire recs - who’s running them?

I’m gonna make the jump from all seasons to winter/summer wheelsets. Winter destinations will have peculiar names like Gore, Smuggs, Magic, Jay (mind if I do a J?) with lots of interstate before getting to the backroads. I see blizzaks and x-ice mentioned but wondering if there are others?


Sent from some smartphone by a dumbass

I’m on X-ice snow and would do it again. Reasonable road manners, good on ice, and comparable in snow to blizzaks. Note the x-ice snow is a different tire than x-ice (which I had a set of and didn’t really like). For long interstate I’d pick them over the blizzak, for sure.

[J. Barron DeJong]

Hakka R5, VikingContact 7, or X-Ice Snow. All tops for studless winter.

Currently have the Vikings on both cars.

https://www.tire-reviews.com/Article...-Tire-Test.htm

[Foggy_Goggles]

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/...777046812.html

Is the maintenance really that bad?

This is Corrolla Money.

Are these disposable whips?

I don't get it

[Foggy_Goggles]

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

1234

[MontuckyFried]

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/...777046812.html

Is the maintenance really that bad?

This is Corrolla Money.

Are these disposable whips?

I don't get it

At almost 200K, yeah. The maintenance costs could eat a non-wrencher alive. That said, looks pretty clean so if the owner's got the car completely sorted out (recently) and ALL big services up to date and then some, then it could definitely be a nice car for the money for the next few years until it gets to be a pain again. For ME, I could be persuaded, but I certainly wouldn't recommend for the average car owner who isn't willing to get their hands dirty.

[Foggy_Goggles]

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

1234

[BmillsSkier]

I loved my '14 Allroad. Thing was properly quick and always put a smile on my face driving it. Got me through the worst blizzard I've ever driven in and conquered 150k+ miles of fun. The maintenance does stack up after 150 where you're quickly thinking to yourself that your next major service is a down payment on a new wagon.

[skaredshtles]

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/...777046812.html

Is the maintenance really that bad?

This is Corrolla Money.

Are these disposable whips?

I don't get it

You know you want to...

[BmillsSkier]

And then do this:

[twomartinis]

At almost 200K, yeah. The maintenance costs could eat a non-wrencher alive. That said, looks pretty clean so if the owner's got the car completely sorted out (recently) and ALL big services up to date and then some, then it could definitely be a nice car for the money for the next few years until it gets to be a pain again. For ME, I could be persuaded, but I certainly wouldn't recommend for the average car owner who isn't willing to get their hands dirty.

IME it’s been around the 14 year mark, give or take, where shit can just fall apart… the cable-drive windows, plastic components, AC, etc. I’ve owned two 2.0’s w/MT and never had any issues with engine or drivetrain[emoji106]

last one made it 17 years! but with 2 permanently closed windows and 12 years of no AC [emoji51]

timely that it comes with extra set of blizzaks


Sent from some smartphone by a dumbass

[Foggy_Goggles]

Thanks for the reality check, I'll keep looking at Matrix and (barf) Subarus. I just want another vehicle for when a truck is not needed and a wagon seems more reasonable than an SUV.

But no, I don't work on my vehicles generally. I get enough of that as a contractor. I'd rather go to work, than wrench on cars. But snowmobiles and dirtbike, no problem.

[BmillsSkier]

Thanks for the reality check, I'll keep looking at Matrix and (barf) Subarus. I just want another vehicle for when a truck is not needed and a wagon seems more reasonable than an SUV.

But no, I don't work on my vehicles generally. I get enough of that as a contractor. I'd rather go to work, than wrench on cars. But snowmobiles and dirtbike, no problem.

FWIW, I never wrenched on my old 14 allroad, and left that up to the pros at my indy Audi shop. Biggest expense I think I ever had into it was the 100k cleanup as the extended warranty expired. Did the APR Stage 1, plugs, coils, thermostat, water pump, a bunch of belts and stuff, oil and fluids and all that and it was still just under $5k. I think I may have tossed brakes in there to but can't recall. I had to do one of the cats which was around $900 and somewhere in the 140k mile range.

[skaredshtles]

<snip>
but with 2 permanently closed windows

I can remember a few years driving my 1985 4KQ where I'd insist anyone in the back seat that they NOT roll down the windows, due to the witchdoctoring it required to eventually get them to go back up.

[Mustonen]

Awesome allroad Mustonen, dream family car for me, but out of my price range currently. Had do settle for an allroad wannabe for half the price. Which engine does yours have?

I couldn’t afford it until I didn’t really need a “family car” anymore. I think those are the breaks.

I think the only one available in this car (in the US) is the 3.0. The 2.9 would be cool, but can’t have it. More than that I wish it had the ZF transmission instead of the DSG.

[twomartinis]

I can remember a few years driving my 1985 4KQ where I'd insist anyone in the back seat that they NOT roll down the windows, due to the witchdoctoring it required to eventually get them to go back up.

yea, it was the back seat for me too. even with the child lockout button we still had the occasional ‘incident.’ couldn’t just unplug it b/c stupid plug also had locks & audio in the harness, and it threw a warning [emoji35] so I put a tek screw through each guide rail and took out the window motors…


Sent from some smartphone by a dumbass

[banzai]

I couldn’t afford it until I didn’t really need a “family car” anymore. I think those are the breaks.

I think the only one available in this car (in the US) is the 3.0. The 2.9 would be cool, but can’t have it. More than that I wish it had the ZF transmission instead of the DSG.

Good point on the "family car", I am 10ish years away from that point, so kind of difficult to see it that way now.
Right, didnt know the only available option is the 55tfsi. Yes, test drove the ZF/torsen version trough a snow storm on a highway, maintaining 130-140 kms trough curves and its so planted. Very confidence inspiring.
I am on a 7 speed DSG as well, itching to get it remapped at some point, just to get some usable middle ground between D and S.

[GBB]

Hakka R5, VikingContact 7, or X-Ice Snow. All tops for studless winter.

Currently have the Vikings on both cars.

https://www.tire-reviews.com/Article...-Tire-Test.htm

Another vote for viking contacts.

[Buster Highmen]

Thanks for the reality check, I'll keep looking at Matrix and (barf) Subarus. I just want another vehicle for when a truck is not needed and a wagon seems more reasonable than an SUV.

But no, I don't work on my vehicles generally. I get enough of that as a contractor. I'd rather go to work, than wrench on cars. But snowmobiles and dirtbike, no problem.

These things are bomber:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

[BmillsSkier]

These things are bomber:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

Someone should pick it up and challenge m27 to see which Suzuki product is the hardest.

[MakersTeleMark]

These things are bomber:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

How does that just get 25 mpg? The AWD? My fiesta gets about 40.

[Foggy_Goggles]

How does that just get 25 mpg? The AWD? My fiesta gets about 40.

And I think less emissions has an effect on MPG. My 89 Civic got 40.

And yes Buster, that is a fine specimen of an AWD shitbox. If I was a collector, I'd look seriously. Can you still get an Imprezza in stick? Is that the last one? Hell, I bought a CRF150F this summer because it is an aircooler kick start only bike and you can't get them anymore.

But I'm window shopping for a bit more of a cruiser than a commuter. Think skiing day trip to Steamboat or blast down to Brown Town for something and so on. So more A3 than SX4.

But maybe I'm to frugal and/or practical for any kind of semi luxury whip and I'm destined for a life of work trucks and Hondas? My vehicle history starts with an '86 Escort and doesn't get anymore exciting.

[BmillsSkier]

My vehicle history starts with an '86 Escort and doesn't get anymore exciting.

With the right attitude, any econobox can be exciting.

[Foggy_Goggles]

With the right attitude, any econobox can be exciting.

I'm your Huckleberry! While my vehicle choices may be underwhelming, my use of them is anything but. They kinda go hand in hand and contribute to the dilemma. I think I'm looking for a bit more of grown up vehicle but maybe I'm incapable of now treating them like a 17 year old.