[Quadracer928]

I am looking at getting the Outlook XR FWD with either the 18's with the Futura's or going with the 19's that look a bit nicer that have the eagle RS-A's on them. I know that the Futura's will do much better in Snow and off road conditions nand look more ruged on the SUV. I am just wondering if anyone has had any experience with either tire in the rain or snow with only FWD. I have heard nothing but bad reviews about the 19's with the RS-A's on them. I live in MD, and we don't see as much snow anymore like we use to, but I don't want the wife and little one to be sliding around in it when it happens or on a road trip snowboarding somewhere. I have a Dodge ram and and old CJ that will go through any snow you put in front of it, so local storms are not a problem. Anyone have any input they could give me????

 

[Boltbacker]

I have the 19" on our FWD and I cannot speak for the snow but here in WA in the rain I have had no problem with them so far, FWD doesn't get the traction my AWD Acadia gets but that is to be expected. With the traction control and Stabilitrac the rain is fine.

 

[Mikey]

Everything I have read says that the 19" tires gives are rougher ride.
I have seen a review that says the FWD tends to slip in a bit of rain so the reviewer suggested the AWD especially if there is any snow around.
Of course here in Canada, snow tends to be everywhere is Novemmber - March.

 

[VMMVMMM]

The 19s do give a bit of a rougher ride, but the trade off is slightly better handling.

 

[allmet33]

I had considered the 19" package when buying, but I just didn't like the idea of having to shell out extra money when it came time to replace them. 19" tires cost significantly more than 18's or 20's because it's such and odd size. Going up in rim size will always give you a bit of a rougher ride and of course the trade will be greater handling. The Outlook has a pretty nice suspension, so you should be able to put tires down to a 50 series and still get a comfortable ride out of it. I plan on putting a nice 20" wheel and tire package on in about a year when there will be more options available.

 

[jf7fsu]

My research showed the 18's costing more than the 19's for tires. I think the wheels look much nicer and are clear coated. I have not noticed a rugh ride at all and here in S Florida the monsoons have not detracted me from driving in the rain at all. I think either one is a good choice, but I always opt for bigger wheels.

 

[allmet33]

Come on now, I can go out here and find 17" wheels and tires that cost more than a 20" package. The key is brand name! When I was buying rims for my Azera, I shopped a wheel in 18", 19" and 20". The 18" package was just over $1400, the 20" package was a little more than $1900, but...the 19" package would have cost me $2200. Reason being...it's an odd size and not too many companies make tires in the 19" size so they cost more. 18's and 20's are dime a dozen so the price can be less.

Maybe some of that is changing with more 19" tires being available to bring the prices in line, but a year ago...that wasn't the case.

Florida is definitely one place you don't have to worry too much about a rough ride. Here in the DC area, if you commute into the city on a daily basis...you had best believe it will be an issue. I'm with you though...gotta go bigger on the wheels. Have any of you seen the pamphlet that has a 20" wheel and tire package available from Saturn? If I recall, my salesman told me they wanted like $2700 for that option.

 

[Quadracer928]

Well...I am still in the air about it. We are coming from a fully loaded Tahoe that we bought 20" FOOSE wheels for, so I know the ride difference between those and the stock 17's. The wife will be driving to DC frequently for a while as well. Her 20's now looked awesome on the truck, but were horrible in the deep ruts and threw the truck everywhere on dipped roads. The stock tires and wheels road very nice, but looked like crap. We are sticking with FWD, to save a couple bucks and I also have a newer Dodge Ram 4x4 and an old CJ that will go through any snow that gets put in front onf it. I am more worried about trips to ski resorts and the ever so often 5-8" snow storm we get here in MD every so often. I just think that the 18" wheels/Tire package will do better, but we both like th looks of the 19's. The ride on the 18's was nice, have not driven the 19's yet. The 18's also make the Outlook look for rugged with the way the tires look, the 19's make it look more classy I guess, I am just worried about the tread in the rain and some minor snow with the FWD.

 

[allmet33]

I feel you on that, but one thing I will be doing (which I learned the hard way). During the spring, summer and fall...I will sport the 20" rims. During the winter, however...I will have the stock wheels and tires back on.

Funny how the 20's mess with the ride that much on the Tahoe. I put 20's on my car (factory was 17's) and I don't get that problem at all.

Well...good luck with whatever route you should choose.

You're in the DC area too, huh? Well, maybe one of these days our paths will cross!!!

 

[jf7fsu]

The 19" Goodyear RS/A's are about $128 from tirerack.com. The 18's are $172. So, not only are the stock 19" better looking and clearcoated, the tires are cheaper too.

 

[allmet33]

Trust me, I'm glad to see that. Like I mentioned before...a year ago...that was not the case!!!