Nokian hakkapeliita 5 vs. Firestone winterforce - Toyota

alaskaman · 10-20-2009, 07:35 PM

It is going to start snowing soon and these two tires come in the 17 inch Sport Edition size. Both are studded. Now that I live in the "country" north of Anchorage the Scorpions will become a Spring Summer and Fall tire. After much wrangling with my ambivalence I decided to get dedicated winter tires mostly for the glare ice which can happen from time to time.

Both these tires sound good. Price diff is large $1200. for the Nokian and $600. for the Firestone. Thoughts and experiences appreciated.

Scoobs · 10-20-2009, 08:43 PM

APA ( Automobile Protection Association ) a non profit consumer group in Canada gives the nod to the Hak 5 over the Firestone. But the Firestone is not bad, and considerably cheaper.

http://www.apa.ca/template.asp?DocID=299

alaskaman · 10-20-2009, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoobs

APA ( Automobile Protection Association ) a non profit consumer group in Canada gives the nod to the Hak 5 over the Firestone. But the Firestone is not bad, and considerably cheaper.

http://www.apa.ca/template.asp?DocID=299

Thanks for this great link. good information. I agree the price difference is substantial. So far the Winterforce Studded sounds like a reasonable deal.

drmorbius · 10-20-2009, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alaskaman

Thanks for this great link. good information. I agree the price difference is substantial. So far the Winterforce Studded sounds like a reasonable deal.

I hate to bring up the obvious but what tires do the locals run/swear by?

alaskaman · 10-20-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmorbius

I hate to bring up the obvious but what tires do the locals run/swear by?

on passenger cars including the Subaru the Michelin Xice and the Nokians are equally represented according to my scientific survey

looking at tires in parking lots. Nokian is the choice for SUV period. Cooper, Michelin, and Revo fill out the rest. More research tomorrow at Costco.

drmorbius · 10-20-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alaskaman

on passenger cars including the Subaru the Michelin Xice and the Nokians are equally represented according to my scientific survey

looking at tires in parking lots. Nokian is the choice for SUV period. Cooper, Michelin, and Revo fill out the rest. More research tomorrow at Costco.

morphius909 · 10-20-2009, 10:38 PM

Nokians are Phenomenal tires (whether for cars or SUVs). They are Uber expensive in most cases, but who better then the Finnish know snow tires? I was in Helsinki in January a few years back and trust me, they know their winter conditions!

bxc13 · 10-20-2009, 10:39 PM

I had the winterforce tires (265 70 17). I wasn't too impressed with them handling wise, but they did okay (especiallly for the price). Saved me a few times on ice. I used them for 2 seasons. I felt my blizzaks were much better that i had previously. I never used the studs, just typical ohio snow.

HTH,
Bill

Sporin · 10-21-2009, 06:31 AM

I've run Michelin Arctic Alpins, Cooper Weathermasters (twice), Firestone Winterforce, and Nokian Haka2's. Each had very minor pros and cons but honestly I didn't find much of a real difference between any of them including the Hakka's which cost twice what the others costs. The more aggressive treaded ones (winterforce and weathermaster) were louder on dry roads but better in deep snow. The smoother treaded ones (Alpins and Hakka's) were quieter on dry roads but spun more in deep snow.

Now this is non-studded and on a FWD car, but I still don't feel like the Nokians are 2X better then the competition to warrant the 2X price.

my 2 cents

Summit · 10-21-2009, 01:25 PM

I'd definitely go with the Nokians

alaskaman · 10-21-2009, 01:45 PM

Appreciate your replies guys. All the passenger cars mostly 2WD run studs and still slip and slide. Smart cars *have seen several here are going to be this years hockey pucks at intersections I surmise. Will talk with the Winterforce guy today.

alaskaman · 10-21-2009, 07:05 PM

New research indicated that Coopers in the Costco parking lot this morning tied with Nokians. Went to a local shop and they had video of stopping and cornering Hakkepiilitta vs. Blizzak. Hakks easily outperformed.

Talked with the manager of America tire in Fairbanks where winter is a real bear and she said she ran the Blizzak and she could have any tire.

Went to Johnson here in Eagle River and reviewed the findings withe male manager

Scientific Analysis

findings of the past two days.

Reputation of Hakkapellita + Firestone Winterforce 4 SUV studded + Woman's opinion in Fairbanks - cost per tire + Dudes opinion x 4 - $500.00 deductible cost for 4Runner if slide through intersection divided by appearance of Hakkepiita vs. Blizzak - Winterforce = Save my ass some time. Get the best tires 1st.

4 New Studded Hakkepeliitta SUV 5

alaskaman · 10-21-2009, 07:07 PM

Pic 2

AK Kilted Guy · 10-21-2009, 07:10 PM

I live in Fairbanks, and had studded Winterforce tires on an economy car that I drove... Aveo. They did great on the ice and in the snow. I never had any problem with traction when I was using them. I actually was in Anchorage during Thanksgiving last year and drove home in what was one of the nastiest snow storms of the year down there, and did just fine.

I now have my 4Runner and will be just running my Dueller RVT's this winter.

alaskaman · 10-21-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK Kilted Guy

I live in Fairbanks, and had studded Winterforce tires on an economy car that I drove... Aveo. They did great on the ice and in the snow. I never had any problem with traction when I was using them. I actually was in Anchorage during Thanksgiving last year and drove home in what was one of the nastiest snow storms of the year down there, and did just fine.

I now have my 4Runner and will be just running my Dueller RVT's this winter.

Thanks for the input from Fairbanks. =) I live up some hills so the studs should help. Yes Thanksgiving story is impressive.........I arrived last year about that time. Here is a pic from right after.

10-20-2009, 07:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
alaskaman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,248	Nokian hakkapeliita 5 vs. Firestone winterforce It is going to start snowing soon and these two tires come in the 17 inch Sport Edition size. Both are studded. Now that I live in the "country" north of Anchorage the Scorpions will become a Spring Summer and Fall tire. After much wrangling with my ambivalence I decided to get dedicated winter tires mostly for the glare ice which can happen from time to time. Both these tires sound good. Price diff is large $1200. for the Nokian and $600. for the Firestone. Thoughts and experiences appreciated. __________________ 07' Sport Edition 4WD Galactic Grey PIAA 520's. Yakima Load Warrior Hakkepiiliita Studded SUV 5 (Winter) Pirelli Scorpion ATR 265 65 17 Westin Bull Bar, Weathertech Mats Last edited by alaskaman; 10-20-2009 at 07:42 PM.

10-20-2009, 08:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Scoobs Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Clarington, Ontario Posts: 323	APA ( Automobile Protection Association ) a non profit consumer group in Canada gives the nod to the Hak 5 over the Firestone. But the Firestone is not bad, and considerably cheaper. http://www.apa.ca/template.asp?DocID=299 __________________ 2007 Limited V8 Meteorite Metallic ( aka Shadow Mica ) 2008 Rav4 V6 Blackforest Pearl 2009 Matrix XR AWD Magnetic Grey Metallic 2004 SE V8 Silver Metallic ( gone but not forgotten )

10-20-2009, 10:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
morphius909 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Canada Posts: 356	Nokians are Phenomenal tires (whether for cars or SUVs). They are Uber expensive in most cases, but who better then the Finnish know snow tires? I was in Helsinki in January a few years back and trust me, they know their winter conditions! __________________ 2007 Sport V6 Black. Hood Deflector/Husky Front and Rear Liners/Toyota Rear Cargo Liner Garmin Nuvi 260-W/TRD Tire Valve Caps/TRD License Plate/Michelin X-Ice Current Kms: 80000 Wanting: Bull Bar, Bar Lights

10-21-2009, 01:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
Summit Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: 9300ft CO Posts: 87	I'd definitely go with the Nokians __________________ 07 T4R SE V6 4WD - GYSA 265-70-17 / Blizzak DM-V1 245/70/17 - Yakima Big Stack + Full Swing 4 - Thule Ascent 1100 - Weathertec Liners

10-21-2009, 01:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
alaskaman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,248	Appreciate your replies guys. All the passenger cars mostly 2WD run studs and still slip and slide. Smart cars *have seen several here are going to be this years hockey pucks at intersections I surmise. Will talk with the Winterforce guy today. __________________ 07' Sport Edition 4WD Galactic Grey PIAA 520's. Yakima Load Warrior Hakkepiiliita Studded SUV 5 (Winter) Pirelli Scorpion ATR 265 65 17 Westin Bull Bar, Weathertech Mats


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10-20-2009, 10:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
bxc13 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 88	I had the winterforce tires (265 70 17). I wasn't too impressed with them handling wise, but they did okay (especiallly for the price). Saved me a few times on ice. I used them for 2 seasons. I felt my blizzaks were much better that i had previously. I never used the studs, just typical ohio snow. HTH, Bill

10-21-2009, 06:31 AM	#9 (permalink)
Sporin Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Windsor, VT USA Posts: 116	I've run Michelin Arctic Alpins, Cooper Weathermasters (twice), Firestone Winterforce, and Nokian Haka2's. Each had very minor pros and cons but honestly I didn't find much of a real difference between any of them including the Hakka's which cost twice what the others costs. The more aggressive treaded ones (winterforce and weathermaster) were louder on dry roads but better in deep snow. The smoother treaded ones (Alpins and Hakka's) were quieter on dry roads but spun more in deep snow. Now this is non-studded and on a FWD car, but I still don't feel like the Nokians are 2X better then the competition to warrant the 2X price. my 2 cents

10-21-2009, 07:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
alaskaman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,248	New research indicated that Coopers in the Costco parking lot this morning tied with Nokians. Went to a local shop and they had video of stopping and cornering Hakkepiilitta vs. Blizzak. Hakks easily outperformed. Talked with the manager of America tire in Fairbanks where winter is a real bear and she said she ran the Blizzak and she could have any tire. Went to Johnson here in Eagle River and reviewed the findings withe male manager Scientific Analysis findings of the past two days. Reputation of Hakkapellita + Firestone Winterforce 4 SUV studded + Woman's opinion in Fairbanks - cost per tire + Dudes opinion x 4 - $500.00 deductible cost for 4Runner if slide through intersection divided by appearance of Hakkepiita vs. Blizzak - Winterforce = Save my ass some time. Get the best tires 1st. 4 New Studded Hakkepeliitta SUV 5 Attached Images __________________ 07' Sport Edition 4WD Galactic Grey PIAA 520's. Yakima Load Warrior Hakkepiiliita Studded SUV 5 (Winter) Pirelli Scorpion ATR 265 65 17 Westin Bull Bar, Weathertech Mats

10-21-2009, 07:07 PM	#13 (permalink)
alaskaman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,248	Pic 2 Attached Images __________________ 07' Sport Edition 4WD Galactic Grey PIAA 520's. Yakima Load Warrior Hakkepiiliita Studded SUV 5 (Winter) Pirelli Scorpion ATR 265 65 17 Westin Bull Bar, Weathertech Mats

10-21-2009, 07:10 PM	#14 (permalink)
AK Kilted Guy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 67	I live in Fairbanks, and had studded Winterforce tires on an economy car that I drove... Aveo. They did great on the ice and in the snow. I never had any problem with traction when I was using them. I actually was in Anchorage during Thanksgiving last year and drove home in what was one of the nastiest snow storms of the year down there, and did just fine. I now have my 4Runner and will be just running my Dueller RVT's this winter.

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