Owner of a '97 SE here. Last winter, I had very little life left on the brakes and tires. Firstly, I ended up coasting backwards down a curvy road on a very steep, snowy hill (~40° incline). Secondly, later that night, I coasted sideways through an icy curve, past an accident and a police car. The cop and I just exchanged confused glances as I drifted by at about ten miles per hour. That was not a fun night.

However, now that I have new tires and brakes, I'm looking forward to a calm winter. In short, any all-season or snow tire — with tread — will do. Bonnies are heavy, sure-footed, front-wheel-drive cars. Just don't drive like an idiot, and rinse/wash off the sand and salt whenever you can.

Thanks Incog. My hill is infamous around her, and people cant believe I make it out with a full sixe sedan w 2Wdr. Notice the speed I get up to before I hit the final ascent. It'* all in planning out the "assault" and using inertia to your advantage. I cant tell you how many times I have had to slam on the brakes half way up and back all the way down to my hosue because someone else who shares this drive starts down it. Even with 4Wdr, there is no reversing back uphill and there isnt room for 2 vehicles.

Heart attack? You should have seen my neighbors face ( the one in the video at the top of the hill shoveling) when I popped up onto the county road fishtailing my rear up onto the road. There'* a hard bump there where the asphalt starts. You have to swing sideways hard in the snow to make sure you clear it.

Hated to drive the GXP in snow, but had to last year. Dec 2008, put on Blizzak LM-25V'*. First week on had a 14" snow fall. I wound up picking up all the snowed in locals that work with me and taking them in! These tires rock!! Ran until April, 4400 miles. 1/32" wear very uniform. Front shows <1/64" additional wear on outer shoulders, which I expected.
Slapped them on just last Monday just in time for this seasons first real blizzard on Wednesday. 13" snow, drifting and high wind. Wanna guess who was driving the work taxi again??

LM-25V model replaced this year, hence the closeout prices. New in 2008 these were $235 a corner, unmounted. Negotiated better deal with local Tires Plus, they get them from Tire Rack too but for less. Did the lifetime balance and rotation, so there is no charge to change them out every year.