Having convinced my wife to give up our 98 Outback for the MAX, I now have to convince her that she is going to be equally as comfortable driving IT in the winter. In preparation for this I am looking for a set of 4 snowtires to deal with our Canadian winters, that will convince her that giving up the AWD was not such a bad thing. I mean, straight ahead rips thru 2 foot high fields of snow may no longer be on my list of recreational activities during snow storms, but I need good, stable directional snows, with studs preferably. In this particular purchase, money is no object. Thinking of NOKIAN HAK 1's with studs. The tire guy wants to stick them on $49.00 steel rims! Any suggestions on the best way to go?????? Thanks

 

I went with a snow tire package from Tirerack.com for my 96 Maxima. 4 Bridgestone Blizzaks on steel Maxima GXE rims.
The car has gone through five winters in the midwest great.
Also have these on 4 steel rims for my Aertostar mini-van and it goes great too, even with RWD. This will be the 9th winter on the Blizzaks for the van and since they are only on during snow/ice season, they still work well.
Your winters may be worse and require the Nokianhak's but I doub't it since most any modern snow tire will work much better then all seasons especially with front drive.

 

yeah, those blizzaks have some nice tread on them. I had them on my Accord in Oswego, NY (just about = to Canada) for 2 winters and never had a problem.

 

well...two responses. Must be a lot of balmy weather Maxima enthusiasts here. Both responses suggest Blizzaks, which from all I have heard from folks, are a great set of tires, although I have heard that they wear rather quickly. After a few days of research on the Net plus phonecalls, I think what I will do is take my factory 16" alloys, take off the stock Toyos, and put on a set of Hakkapeliitta 1's with studs,(even though studs are illegal in my province).

I think I will then buy a set of 17" rims plus a really good summer tire. Any suggestions in this regard? I like to speed! ), And i need good anti-hydroplaning qualities.
Thanks again...opinions on really good quality rims welcomed. I like some of the pics of alloys at AMerican Eagle,( 5, 6 , 7 spoke design) but the tire guy said the quality wasnt really that great.