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MarkVII88 t1_j55ykda wrote

Nope. Hasn't crossed my mind. And I don't really care about whether or not my comments/questions are on-topic, or judgy. I'm sure couples have reasons for keeping their finances separate, or for keeping their vehicles and other possessions from being part of a pooled household.

Again, I don't understand that personally. Like I said, not everyone knows, or cares to know anything mechanical about their vehicles. The way you stated it in your initial comment down in the thread, about the car not being yours, made it sound like you were borrowing a car from a friend or a relative to make the drive from VA to VT.

If that was the case, I could conceivably understand being unfamiliar with the vehicle. But as the Matrix belongs to your partner I'd consider it a common vehicle to you both, and something you'd both be familiar with and at least minimally knowledgeable about. Anyway, I digress.

The question really is: do you want to spend the money on snow tires? The stock tire size for most Toyota Matrix is 205/55/16. The link below to Discount Tire lists snow tires in this size from cheapest to most expensive. Hard to find any snow tires for less than $100/each. That doesn't include the cost for mount and balance. You're easily looking at spending $500. Not sure this is worth it, honestly. Just drive carefully, decisively, and predictably in the snow and you should be fine, unless your Matrix is already rocking tires with worn out tread. Maybe you could find a better deal local to where you live.

https://www.discounttiredirect.com/fitmentresult/tires/size/205-55-16?q=%3Aprice-asc%3AtireCategory%3AwinterTires&sort=price-asc&page=0

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reinhart_menken OP t1_j561hp5 wrote

Well fair enough. I mean I wouldn't personally borrow someone else's car to do something risky or just even borrowing it in the first place. I wouldn't lend someone my vehicle either.

I ride, so I want to know about my motorcycle and maintaining it. My partner typically maintains the car, I pitch in half. But she maintains her car pretty well, and for the type of driving and weather here I don't really need to know, not for function not for safety. The difference that makes no difference is no difference for me. Going to VT is the niche circumstances.

But yeah, I'm getting a lot of comments to get snow tires. I'm okay with getting them. My friend that used to live in Vermont but moved to Canada where her town/city has similar weather has recommended Nokian / Hakkapelita. So it looks like we'll be getting them.

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MarkVII88 t1_j563lc6 wrote

Nokian Hakkapelittas are great snow tires. Pricey though. Nokian Nordman are also excellent, just one tier below the Hakkapelittas, and more affordable. I've had good experiences with both of them. I've also had good results with General Altimax Arctic snow tires as well.

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reinhart_menken OP t1_j564e52 wrote

Cheer, I saw the Nordman and was wondering about it too. My friend did say Nokian are all good in general, so good to know. Will look for General Altimax Arctic if we can't find Nokian here.

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