OK...all you warm climate people can just ignore this thread but for those of you who live and drive in areas where "snow" is more than just a term for nose candy I have a question....

Anyone ever have any experience with a brand of snow tires manufactured in Finland called Nokian Hakkepelita? I was having some work done on my Rendevous at a local tire shop and spied these Finnish snows. The person at the shop raved about how wonderful they are, and I've since read a few online reviews but wanted to see if any of you have any insights. There doesn't seem to be a lot of options for snows in a 215/55/16 size, but it seems that the Finns would know a thing or two about driving in winter conditions.

I don't have any experience with them, but folks on one of the other automotive forums I am on had this to say:

Arguably Nokian make some of the best winter optimized tires around. The Hakka-Pellitta range are the hard core winter tires and the Nokain range contain some tires that keep their cold weather grip without melting away in the summer.

That's certainly encouraging. Thanks, Black Rose!

docwylie.....just go to WWW.TIRERACK.COM and look up whatever brand of tires you is interested in. I do this everytime i wish to purchase new tires or buy a set of good used ones locally in my city. I compare tires in their respective ratings and then i phone around my local tire shops and bug the crap outta them for the best price. Tirerack is great cuz it has user reviews submitted...real people with their experiences .

searched tire rack for you with no results. BUT, i found this for you...enjoy! http://www.nokiantires.com/en/winter_passenger.aspx

OK...all you warm climate people can just ignore this thread but for those of you who live and drive in areas where "snow" is more than just a term for nose candy I have a question....

Anyone ever have any experience with a brand of snow tires manufactured in Finland called Nokian Hakkepelita? I was having some work done on my Rendevous at a local tire shop and spied these Finnish snows. The person at the shop raved about how wonderful they are, and I've since read a few online reviews but wanted to see if any of you have any insights. There doesn't seem to be a lot of options for snows in a 215/55/16 size, but it seems that the Finns would know a thing or two about driving in winter conditions.

I had them on my Mustang so I can tell you how they were on it rather than an HHR. They were expensive as hell, wore down quick, and completely sucked for traction. After having a set I wondered why so many people gave them such great reviews. Probably because they paid so damn much they didn't want to seem like they got ripped off. :lol: Anyways.......I think that Winterforce tires are way better Nokians and a hell of a lot cheaper. ;)

I can recommend the Bridgestone Blizzak Revo 1 snow tires. They completely changed my 2.4L 5-speed from tricky and hard to handle on snow to nearly impossible to spin out. They were also pretty reasonably priced at the tire rack.

Steve

Go check this out:

http://www.canadiandriver.com/winter/tires/tires.htm

Scroll down towards the bottom of the page and there's a review of the Nokians, and a bunch of others as well (some comparative).

Yves

I have a 2006 with the stock 17' rims. I need winter tires and rims. Does anyone know what the recommended winter tire size is. The tire rack says that I can go with a 15'. Will a 15' clear the brakes enough?

Thanks

Yes, they fit: I have a set of 15 on the car right now. I fitted some 195/65R15 tires, mainly because I had them available (free). Speedo error is only +1.3% from stock. You can get a set of 205 and be only slightly bigger than stock.

Yves

Thanks.. Does the LT have a bigger brake disc than an LS?

No difference between LS and LT rotors. I've had good luck with Michelin alpin winter tires. FWD or RWD, make a big difference! :thumb:

good. So I will have no problem with the 205/60/15 package from Tire Rack should work with no problems. I am not worried about changes to my speedo.

I have Nokian tires on mine and they are excellent,I`ve never had a problem at all and we have some tough winters up here in Quebec.Buy `em

what size did you buy??

I bought mags for my HHR and put the Nokian`s on my company wheels so they would be standard size I guess.

Based on your OEM size (25.5"), suitable 15" tire sizes might be:

205/65R15 is dead on (25.5" diameter)
195/65R15 is slightly smaller (25" diameter)
205/60R15 is smaller still (24.7" diameter)

Yves

Geez! Nothing like having your thread hi-jacked! :cussing:

But...thanks to all who responded to my original question with helpful advice and comments. :thumb:

GOOD GOSH! I just priced Bridgestone Blizzak tires here in NE Ohio, and they want $145 each for them, and they said you HAVE TO get 4. I hunted everywhere locally (or really close) and I'm getting a pair of snows recommended by and from my car dealer for $80 each, and 12.00 mounting and balancing.

Snow tire found...

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n66/MWG2/snowtire.jpg

Snow tire found...

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n66/MWG2/snowtire.jpg

:laughabov :laughabov :laughabov :laughabov :laughabov :laughabov