Winter Tire Indecison

[skatedees]

Tires in the spotlight:

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/12/NokianHakkapeliittaR00jpgt1228485962-1.jpg

General Altimax Arctic

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/12/129_0709_01_z4x4_tire_testgeneral_ajpgt1-1.jpg

Vehicle and Tire size:
1991 Legacy Wagon N/A 185/70R14

So my history with winter tires is small. In fact, I've never owned a set of winters. But I've driven on some Hakka RSIs in my buddy's Forester XT and was blown away.
Naturaly now that I'm in the market, the first tire I looked for was the RSI only to find out Nokian came out with it's succesor, the Hakka R.
At around $80.00/tire it's not that bad. But for sake of argument, I wanted to see what else was available. I came across these General Altimax Arctics. They have pretty good reviews and price-wise, around $50.00/tire, my wallet likes these better.

What do you guys/gals think? Anyone have experience with either/both?

Info:
Hakka R - http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=1194 ... peliitta+R (http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=11949&group=1.01&name=Nokian+Hakkapeliitta+R)

General Altimax - http://www.generaltire.com/tires/T13/Altimax-Arctic

[Huffer]

Both are good, the Nokian is superior in tougher conditions (depends on how much deep snow and ice you'll see). The Nokian will be better on dry pavement too.

However if money is a concern, rock the Generals as they're far cheaper.

You could look into Hankook Winter iPikes, as a dedicated M+S, or the Hankook W300 Icebear (what I run) as a hi-performance winter tire.

The W300 is a great tire, just don't try charging through 4 feet of packed snow. 3 ft is ok though ;)

[99SUS SFD]

Hakka's have always been a great winter tire, but expensive as hell. I run Cooper ST/2 M+S and they're a great tire. I ran a set on my Jeep and have always had good traction on both vehicles. Coopers appear to be the #1 seller around here for winter tires.

[decke48]

hakka are great. but they didnt have enough bit for me in wet snow. otherwise good in light snow and ice. the generals were good did good in light snow and ok in wet snow. great on ice if you stud them. i run dunlop ds-1 and they great, do well in anything. loved them in wet snow. though there discontiued ive heard the ds-2 are good to.

[Zedhead]

I've been running dedicated snow tires for over 15 years.

IMHO, For the price, You can't do better than Bizzaks for snow/ice. Michelin X-Ice is a close second.

I got lucky and found set of Blizzak MZ-02's (stiffer sidewalls, less dry pavement squirm) mounted on seemingly brand new OEM Suby wheels on Craigslist. Used 1 season. $160

[LegacyRob]

Find yourself a set of Hankook I-pike w 409's. You won't be disappointed. :smt023