> The Michelin MXTs on my 91 Carat are getting thin, at least on the
back and I
> am going to be faced with frequent visits to the NC appalachians this
winter.
>    The rear wheels slip easily on even wet grass.
> Any recommendations for something that will give good grip ?
> Obviously I am not going to get Synchro performance but is there
anything
> that might be a good second best ?
>
> Cheers,
> Steve Cotsford
> Columbia SC
>

I highly recommend Nokian Hakkapeliitas.

My 7 passenger has C2 tires.  185 R 14, M&S, max rating 1873 lbs @ 65
psi, and they came "studable" (little holes from the factory) though I
didn't have them studded.  They do really well in snow (northern Maine),
rain,
and on dry pavement.  I run them year round (2 winters and 2 summers so
far) and have made several long summer trips with no noticeable wear.
They are very smooth riding and, even though they have a fairly
aggressive tread, don't make a lot of noise.

The Westy has "C" tires (no number or letter following the C).  Same
size, same load rating and the tread is "almost" the same as the C2
minus the holes for studs.  I have put over 25,000 miles on them and
they still look like they did when I put them on.  They handle the same
as the C2s.

I first started driving in the '50s and have gone through a BUNCH of
tires over the years of many different brands (I've always used
Michelins on the frogeye Sprite).  The Hakkapeliitas are the best tires
I've owned so far.

Mike

'84 GL 7 pass
'85 GL Westy
'58 Frogeye (Bugeye) Sprite