Its that time of the year again.... and I sadly don't have access to a winter beater this year.

I am looking at a couple of options right now.

1) there are some lightly used Michelin X-Ice 225/45 R18 winter tires on Maxda RX-8 five-spoke mags from craigslist. I talked to the guy and he came across as a good guy (important imho). He said he used them for 2 season and he's asking 800.

2) Some NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA R. These are high end winter tires and I'd have to get some steelies or something. Be going with a 225/50/17 on these. Installed and everything about 1700 after taxes and all that.

I don't know if the nokians will be over kill for the winter or if the x-ices will have the tread to last for a while (plus they are 3-4 years old already).

Any winter tire recomendations that I might now be considering. Blizzaks of course but besides that?

EDIT: Im in Vancouver now, so the weather is more wet/rain than snow. Usually around 0C.

 

You missed 2 in our size, the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 and the Pirelli 240 Sottozero serie II. I'm trying to decide among these. They are supposed to be the best on dry roads while still being good on snow.