Miata Mailing List: November 1998, Message #19

sponsored by

Sue,

I have a '97 PEP with the Torsen LSD.  I have Yokohama Guardex 600
snow tires which are the best I'm aware of.  I have them mounted on
cheapo steel wheels (which are heavier than the alloys).  My Miata so
configured and equipped is absolutely the best-handling snow car I
have ever driven.  I've had many, many front-drive sedans with various
tires.  None compare to the traction and stability of the LSD Miata
with *GOOD* snow tires.  Personally, I'd get the Guardex.

Check Discount Tire Direct (www.tires.com).  Last year I got four Yoko
Guardex mounted on the four steel wheels, balanced and shipped to my
door for $388 (US).  Bargain of bargains in my opinion.

Try it, you'll like it!  Plus, you get to drive your baby during
winter!

-- 
Richard Teasdale 
rjt@xmission.com
White '97 PEP, "Spartacus" 
Provo, Utah, USA


Sue Skinner wrote:
> 
> Ok gang,
> I need your help...going through serious Miata withdrawal after two+ weeks
> of snow and ice.  Found out the first day that my 99 PEP (with the Torsen
> LSD) is the car I'd vote most willing to come around.  Scared the ---- out
> of me, got him safely home and about decided to just garage him for the
> winter...but I MISS MY CAR!
> 
> Checked out winter tires and found a local source for Nokian Hakkapolita 1's
> (thanks for the good advice Angelos and John) - at about $115 per tire - but
> that's looking more reasonable by the day.  However in talking to the
> salesman, he stated that with the Torsen, he just flat wouldn't take the
> chance of driving a car as nice (  :-)  )as Panther in the winter....and the
> tires come studded here, even.  Says the Torsen makes it really want to come
> around, even when gently easing off the throttle.  That was the part that
> really caught me by suprise when I tried Pan out in the first snow....had a
> horrible time controlling him, and barely got him safely home without
> guardrail bites or worse.  I've driven RWD cars on snow and ice for more
> years than I care to admit - but never felt anything like that.   I did look
> around to make sure he wasn't just flirting....swinging his cute little butt
> around like that, but only saw SUV's and pickups....don't think that was the
> cause!
> 
> So what do you all think?  Will studded snows all around give me a
> controllable car?
> Any other tire recommendations?  Yes, I do confess I did briefly drive him
> with OEM tires...14" Toyos that came on the PEPs.  And yes I realize that
> was stupid...
> 
> Still getting great use of the Yoko Guardex 600's on the Protege, BTW.  No
> studs, and even handle sheet ice reasonably well.   Tire Rack did a good job
> for me - but don't carry the Hakk's, and shipping with steel wheels runs
> about $40-$45 per tire, per their phone estimate, anyway.
> 
> I'd really value your advice -
> TIA
> 
> Sue and Panther
> North Pole