Some ramblings about snow tires -

After we had a white Thanksgiving delivered, it was time to get serious about mounting snow tires. Tires for the 850 and 245 were all due for replacement; the kid's 'new' 244 had one pair of Gislaveds but needed a second pair. I searched high and low for Gislaveds in CT and found only one source - East Hartford Tire, on Main St in East Hartford, tel. 860-568-2160. The Nord Frost II has been replaced by the Nord Frost III, which is now a unidirectional tire. I was surprised that I could not find other local sources via the net. A pair of 185/70-14's mounted and balanced ran about $180.

Import Tire in Glastonbury carries Nokian. 800-288-1030.

The local tire monopoly, Town Fair, would barely budge on prices, and their offerings were meager. On top of that, the outright lies I was told by the salesman turned me off completely (I didn't even mention the damaged alloy wheels, the over-torqued lug nuts, the stolen sunglasses, and the FAILURE to torque lug nuts on my last [and final] purchase from them a few years ago...all suffered at Town Fair's hands). I had bought a set of Toyo Observes for the 855 in the Volvo-recommended size of 185/65-15 3 seasons ago, and I found out by direct correspondence with Toyo that they no longer make the Observe in that size. The sales guy insisted that Toyo "made them up special" for Town Fair... ja, sure... about $120 each, installed. My guess is that they are old stock. OK, my second choice, Michelin Arctic Alpin (had a good recommendation from a friend)... Town Fair's best price was about $130 a corner, installed. That clinched it... came home and dialed Tire Rack. Michelins on the way for the 855, and - in a low-cost experiment - Firestone Winterfires for the '92 245. With mounting & balancing at a local garage, I'll be all set for about $300 less than the local big guns want.