geoduck
01-29-2006, 11:50 PM
As posted last week, we decided to replace the stock Goodyears after one went kaput via a road hazard. Fortunately our local auto shop was able to order a set of Nokian Vatiiva tires for about $130 each in the 225/70R-16 size. This is about $10 per tire more than the only Seattle dealer charged and well worth the convenience and karma of keeping our money circulating in our community.
The Vatiiva tires are similar to the WRs but I am told that they are bi-directional. Today I was able to finally drive my Element (I changed jobs and am in a vanpool) on twisty rural roads during a very soggy Puget Sound afternoon. A good test for any tire.
My initial impressions are impressive! The contrast between the Goodyears and the Nokians are not subtle. You actually feel the road. Handling is superb. The Vatiiva's are maybe a tad noisier. My wife and I never liked the the Goodyears skidding out a bit when accelerating from any dead stop. I just couldn't get the Nokians to do that. Traction even surpassed the secure feeling we get from the Michelin Hydroedge tires we recently mounted on our AWD minivan.
So far so good. And I suspect that the tire will perform better once we get a few hundred miles of use down. Pricey yes, but with young kids and all that it's not even an issue.
Attached are a couple of photos; it was wet today.
The Vatiiva tires are similar to the WRs but I am told that they are bi-directional. Today I was able to finally drive my Element (I changed jobs and am in a vanpool) on twisty rural roads during a very soggy Puget Sound afternoon. A good test for any tire.
My initial impressions are impressive! The contrast between the Goodyears and the Nokians are not subtle. You actually feel the road. Handling is superb. The Vatiiva's are maybe a tad noisier. My wife and I never liked the the Goodyears skidding out a bit when accelerating from any dead stop. I just couldn't get the Nokians to do that. Traction even surpassed the secure feeling we get from the Michelin Hydroedge tires we recently mounted on our AWD minivan.
So far so good. And I suspect that the tire will perform better once we get a few hundred miles of use down. Pricey yes, but with young kids and all that it's not even an issue.
Attached are a couple of photos; it was wet today.