Do I need Winter Wheels?

[Jovian2k]

I just moved back to CT (From NC) and I am sure I am in store for some winter weather. My MX now has 16" Bronze Konig Heliums w/ 205/45/16 Falken Ziex512 tires (all weather). I am wondering if I should get a winter set of wheels or not.
I am thinking of going for these: http://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/pts/443745380.html - It is a set of 14" Miata wheels with good tires for a good price.
Basically I have 2 Questions: Will the salt and stuff from the roads damage my pretty Heliums?
and Will the 14's with these tires be better than my 16's for driving in the snow?

[95 rs]

salt will damage the rims over time...... im not sure about the radial gt tires but id go for it so you wont wreck your pretty rims

[Smith18]

Winter tires are a must, they make a WORLD OF DIFFERENCE while driving in snow/ice. I bought a set of 15" steel rims with 185/65/15 Michelin X-Ice (not 100% sure on the size, i cant remember but it was somewhere around there.) and DAM did they make a difference, it was like a monster truck in the snow i don't think i got stuck once with them(my location will tell you were i live and how much snow we get here haha).

With winter tires you alway want to go with a skinnier/taller tire, you dont want to be plowing through the snow you want to make as much as a small track through the snow.

But you can do winters with an all season tire to but its just tougher (getting stuck, sliding).

[ElectricEnergy]

I'll definitely be getting winter tires this year. Last year I got in a gnarly car accident partially because I thought I could get out of an intersection more quickly than I could with my worn all seasons.

[wytbishop]

Just getting someone else's used all season radials is not the best winter set up. Get some actual winter tires and you won't believe the difference it makes. And Smith is right on about skinny tall tires for winter. Saskatchewan winters are like hell...only colder.

[umcamara]

This doesn't really relate to your post, but your car looks awesome. Not ricey or anything, which is nice to see. IMHO, one final touch it needs is the GS spoiler. I'm not crazy about the wrap-around GS spoiler though.

[Nd4SpdSe]

I got a set of winters with i got my car and i used them the first winter, took them off in April and there happened to be a big snow storm not long after, i couldn't believe the difference and had been an advocate for winter tires since. Even my parents, who have an "AWD" Escape, although they were pleased with the snow performance with the all-seasons, they got winter tires and rims to keep the stock mags looking good and as a plus, they really like winter's on that as well (dad's played in the snow several times with it, lol)

But the plus is you put much less milleage on each set of tires, roughtly doubling the milleage per set, your good rims don't get damaged from the salt and sand on the road, plus you have better control and traction in snow, ice and any mix. Trust me, I've got many stories with the 626 and winter driving...i could still out accelerate AWD SUV'd no problem with the 626, great little car, too bad she's gone now

[Jovian2k]

So I ended up buying those Miata wheels, was a deal I couldn't really pass up. Got the 14" set with new rubber for $125. They are all seasons but I'll eventually get some winter tires on them and at least I will spare my nice wheels. The mileage distribution on each set will also be a plus. I am also going to try and paint these Miata wheels bronze to match a little better, kinda like this guy did...


taken from http://home.alfredstate.edu/jonesRG/miata/index.html (under the wheel refurbishing archive)

umcamara, thanks for the kind words I try to stay conservative, nothing too ricey. I have contemplated a GS Spoiler, maybe in the future.