1) The changed title is fine, and is more appropriate. 2) I think I'll still just wait for my dealer to give me a quote. If not too far off the mark, maybe I'll just get it directly from them. It's seeming a lot more complex then I'd originally hoped, esp. with tirerack coming up with no options for me. If I get them locally, somebody is still going to have to order them for me - and it may as well be the dealer. I am uncomfortable going with non-XL tires, esp. if there is any possibility of voiding my warranty, and more importantly, if there is any increased risk of problems.
What qualifies as 'XL'? If a 'XL' tire says 1154@44, and a tire that isn't labeled 'XL' says 1144@44, what's the difference beyond 10 pounds?...
I went to Kelly Blue book to get a comparison of the Carolla and the Prius. The prius weighs about 300# more and uses the same size tires. I suspect that most of the extra weight is from the battery, and is therefore over the rear axle, probably making the distribution closer to 50-50 than in the Carolla which has the trans and larger motor up front. Maybe a maven can check this out. Since most of us Priusniks run our tires over the Toyota recs any way I don't see any problem. Carolla people are not advised to avoid obese passengers for fear of exploding tires. I think that at 40/38 or near my car has a large safety margin with the Nokians.
I tried to post the Caroll/Prius comparison but apparanty goofed. Try II SPECIFICATIONS Wheel Base 102.4 inches 106.3 inches Overall Length 178.3 inches 175.0 inches Width 66.9 inches 67.9 inches Height 57.5 inches 58.1 inches Curb Weight 2502 lbs. 2568 lbs. 2890 lbs. Tires / Wheel Size P185/65R15 P185/65R15 Rear Tires / Wheel Size - - Spare Tire Compact Compact Wheel Type Steel w/Covers Aluminum Alloy Turning Radius 34.2 34.1 Brakes: Front Disc ABS Disc Brakes: Rear Drum ABS Drum Fuel Capacity 13.2 11.9 Axle Ratio 3.94 2.96 - Ground Clearance 5.7 4.9 GVWR - - Maximum Towing 1500 NR Transfer Case - - Payload Base Capacity - - Truck Bed Volume - -
FYI Guys - only the classic requires XL rated tires. The '04 runs on Standard Load shoes, thanks to the wider aspect ratio. Let the choices begin. -Rick
OK. My local dealership has some winter tires for it (Michelin?) for US$505 (4 tires) or rims plus tires for $765. How much do the rims usually go for anyway? The combo rim plus tires package seems like a reasonable deal (since I don't want to do mail order.) It ends up being US$65 per rim if I subtract the (admittedly high) price of the tires.
Wait, are these the alloy rims that come standard with the car, or just some steel rims? I would think a set of alloy rims like the ones that come with the car would go for around $500.
They said aluminum, but who knows. I'll ask them again. Anyone have the usual pricing of the Prius aluminum rims? I'm thinking about holding off until next year. I can get steel rims and winter tires for about $600 elsewhere, but they told me the pickin's are slim at this time of the year in that exact size. Are you saying that $765 would be a good deal with the aluminum rims (compared to $600 with steel rims)?
Michelin X-Ice vs. Nordic Icetrac OK, take two... Last year I didn't get winter tires, since nobody had ones that fit in stock. My local store has Michelin X-Ice (CAD$125/US$100) and Nordic Icetrac (CAD$77/US$62), both in stock. Whaddya think? Steel wheels would be CAD$50 each. That would make it: CAD$700/US$560 for the Michelin X-Ice x 4 CAD$508/US$405 for the Nordic Icetrac x 4 I'm leaning towards the Michelins. They seem beefier, but are they overkill in a place like Toronto?
I ended up getting GT Radial Champiro WT winter tires from Steelcase Tire in Markham (Ontario). They were CAD$599 for four, including steel rims. The handling is just OK on dry pavement (sl. squirmy - as expected with snow tires) and they're definitely noisier. I'll reserve final judgement though until I have more km on them, and until I actually hit the snow/ice/rain. They do seem sturdier in the store than the Nordic Icetrac tires, but probably not quite as beefy as the Michelin X-Ice tires. I've tried neither on my car however. I can't find much on these tires online though. The store guy says they're a good value, although they did sell Toyo and stuff at higher prices. Anyone else use GT Radial Champiro WT tires on their Prius 2004/2005? [Broken External Image]:http://www.gt-tires.com/images/campiro-WT65b.jpg By the way: What PSI for winter tires? I believe they set them at 35 PSI front and rear.
