opinions: winter tires or not

[eepr5]

low tread on my stock tires (center strip is smooth on rear, still slotted on front), a sheetmetal screw in my rear tire at the spool meet (which we plugged, don't trust for too long though), winter approaching, and an upcoming 2000 mile trip at at thankgiving got me thinking its about time for new tires.

considering I would like to pick up a nice set of rims/performace tires at tax time, should I:

1) just wait and pray these tires last the winter

2) pick up a set of decent all seasons with good winter ratings

3) pick up a good primarily winter tire

I'll be using my stock rims (polished chrome with a little corrosion) and have about $300-400 to play with (preferably less)

thanks

 

[Protege52003]

Depending on the winters down in MD, I would get a nice pair of all season tires. I just purchased LinkedUP (from MD) sp5000's becasue he wanted to get some winter tires after last winter. I have a set of steel rims with snow tires for the winter up here in new england. The dunlops suck in the snow and especially in the rain after 50% worn. If your stock tires are gone, you probably need a new set and since you are getting new rims and tires when you get your tax return, just get a set of all seasons for your winters. You should get 3-4 years out of them with easy driving depending on your milage???

My snow tires work great when driving during the winter and do okay on dry roads.

-R