snow tires: all around or just up front?? studs or no studs??

[83 chif]

Sorry this isn't a truck question, but I know I'll get a good answer here....

I just moved to Alma Colorado, somewhere above 10,xxx feet, but I left my truck in my old state and am now sharing an 06' front wheel drive Saturn with my girlfriend. Hooray! On the drive out to Colorado from back east, we blew out a tire, and replaced only two tires because the two up front were less than a year old. We need snow tires to get us through the rest of the winter, but is it necessary to get all four, or maybe we can have our new tires put on the rear and new snow tires installed up front? Needless to say, we're on a tight budget, but I've heard mixed things about just putting them on the front. I just want to hear what the mud crowd has to say, the opinions here I value more than those of strangers.

Also, if we get snow tires, should we get them studded? I've heard the studs are great for icey conditions, but not so great for packed snow like we'll encounter here.

so thanks in advance for any advice you can throw at me!

 

[PoorHouse]

Get them all around. I've done front only before, it can create a very loose rear end.

I buy studs. Better in ice and hard back. Get a more open tread design for loose snow.

I did have Blizzak studless on an old VW and they were OK, but there is no comparing with the bite studs give.

 

[loehndorf]

Sorry this isn't a truck question, but I know I'll get a good answer here....

I just moved to Alma Colorado, somewhere above 10,xxx feet, but I left my truck in my old state and am now sharing an 06' front wheel drive Saturn with my girlfriend. Hooray! On the drive out to Colorado from back east, we blew out a tire, and replaced only two tires because the two up front were less than a year old. We need snow tires to get us through the rest of the winter, but is it necessary to get all four, or maybe we can have our new tires put on the rear and new snow tires installed up front? Needless to say, we're on a tight budget, but I've heard mixed things about just putting them on the front. I just want to hear what the mud crowd has to say, the opinions here I value more than those of strangers.

Also, if we get snow tires, should we get them studded? I've heard the studs are great for icey conditions, but not so great for packed snow like we'll encounter here.

so thanks in advance for any advice you can throw at me!

Definitely all around. Otherwise it'll be difficult around corners ect.

 

[cruiseninak]

Studs if allowed. All round is the key. You are thinking going with front only you should be thinking stopping all four. If you are mostly pavement(sounds like you aren't) then I would say snow tires if worried. If you have hard pack or ice for the whole winter on the street surface then studs kick ass. Or the best snow tires allowed.