is there something special about the miata (light weight,> short wheel base) that requires high end tires,

One major difference is that the CRX, and maybe the Corolla, depending on> what year it was, was front wheel drive, meaning that the weight was> primarily over the tires providing the traction and the same tires > provided> the directional control. Any rear wheel drive car is somewhat less likely> to go where you point it in the snow than a front wheel drive car, not > that> that can't be fun ­.>

John (94 Miata)>

"miata newbie" <miatanewbie@verizo­n.net> wrote in message> news:0TUId.12343$1l­2.9889@trndny05...>>­ is there something special about the miata (light weight, short wheel> base)>> that requires high end tires, or are they just appropriate because the >> car>> can handle so well? i have only owned a civic crx and a corrolla before> and>> found them to ride well year round on mid rage tires purchased from big>> chain stores like costco. the brigestone re950 does not seem to come in>> 195/50/15 and are also quite pricey. as an alternative would a toyo> proxes>> 4 (same low price as t1-s) or a falken ziex ze-512 (super cheap, but have>> read some negitive comments about them in this group) be ok as year round>> tires? am i just not yet getting that this car should really have a> summer>> and winter set of performance tires to be truly enjoyable? thanks again.>>