Nokian WRG2... Highly Recommended!

Re: Nokian WR G2... Highly Recommended!

I've been planning to get the WRg2's also, but was quoted ~$700 w/ a $50 rebate here in WA state. Would anyone be willing to PM me a PDF scan of their quote or invoice so that I can attempt to get a price match from my local WA retailer?

Big Thanks!

I am also considering the Bridgestone RE960 AS tires, since they would be about $370 installed. Does anyone have experience with these or the Yokohama Avid TRZ?

 

Re: Nokian WR G2... Highly Recommended!

Good luck on getting a pdf scan. But FYI, the lowest price I've heard for Nokian WRg2's was this:

If you're getting new tires, check out the Consumer Reports November 2009 tire tests -- they're the most recent and comprehensive tire tests out there right now:

Consumer_Reports_Nov._2009_Tire_Tests-1.doc

To me, the all-season tire to get is the Hankook Optimo H727. All the more so if you want good performance on snow and ice. It's the second highest rated all-season passenger tire (S & T speed ratings) overall, and it's the all-season tire that's rated best on snow and ice period -- in fact it rates higher on snow and ice than the Nokian WR g2, and astoundingly, it rates as well or higher on snow and ice than most of the snow tires tested by Consumer Reports.

Note, however, that it does not come in the OEM 185/65R15 size, but it does come in the next closest size of 195/60R15.

Finally, they're relatively inexpensive. The cheapest place to buy them is Gripston.com where a set of 4 in the 195/60R15 size costs around $300 with free shipping and no tax.

 

Re: Nokian WR G2... Highly Recommended!

Thanks for the recommendation on the Hankook H727's and the uploaded article.

I found a dealer locally that will install them for $353 out the door, so the $200+ savings conspiring with the excellent reviews has convinced me to buy from the Koreans over the Finns. My only hesitation is dry pavement cornering performance and the fact that the tread does not appear as aggressive as the Nokain WR-g2's. People are raving so far, though. They should be in within a week or so, Deo volente.

 

Re: Nokian WR G2... Highly Recommended!

Last week I bought Nokian WR G2... 215/45 R17 for my Prius gen III... really suprized how they handle the corners... better grip on dry then with the stock Bridgestone Turanza... only little bit louder... can't wait for the snow!

P.S. They are 1/3 off the price cheaper then the same Good Year Ultra Grip 7+ or Dunlop SP WinterSport 3D.

great tests and owner reviews...
http://www.tyretest.com/pkw_winterreifen/nokian/wr_g2/index.html
and
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Nokian/WRG2.htm

 

Re: Nokian WR G2... Highly Recommended!

Would it be ok to just mount a pair of Nokian WRs on the front for winter tires? We have lots of tread on our ComfortTreads left. They are a long way from needing replacement.

 

Simply put, no. Your newer tires should be on the rear. Plus it's not a good idea to have matching tires. It's ok, just not preferred because every tire has a different grip and tech specs regardless of what people's "opinions" are.

 

That's too bad. So the Prius is not designed to have snow tires installed for winter or is this just a general concern? I have done that for years on our other cars. Yes, they handle a bit differently, but not radically and I certainly am not pushing the handling in the winter.

 

Of course you can put snow tires on. I have a set on right now. But as was always the recommendation, put them on all four places.

The thing you really don't want is to lose traction on the back and not on the front... lots of 360 degree spins can happen around corners and when trying to stop, which is why you should try to have at least as good tires on the rear as front. Now maybe with antilock brakes and vsc you can get away with it, but i still like to trust inherent stability with some tech backup than just rely on the tech.

 

Here in Vermont, we call all-season radials "summer tires". If it snows where you live, you need real snow tires.

Last winter I got General Altimax Arctics, rated #2 by Consumer Reports and pretty affordable. CU actually rated them above the Hakka 5, and they're about half the price. I got them at Sears and I have no complaints. In fact, it's time to put them on again--I've actually been pushing it a little bit to wait so long.

 

It's never recommended to install only two snow tires on any car, especially a front wheel drive model. You end up getting a really good look at where you were as the rear end of the car comes around to the front.

Tom