We've got about 4-6 inches of snow and typical West Virginia snow ploughing method...the sun.

So I have to get new tires on the Nissan and was thinking about studded. Never had either studded tires or chains on any car, but the Nissan is so light, I barely made it up my hill today.

So what do you prefer chains or studded?

(Neither Bonneville was allowed out of the heated garage today).

Better check local laws first, you may not be able to run either one.

Studs FTW.
Had them on a Chrysler Cirrus...couldn't slide that thing if you tried, and we got some nasty weather.

i would check the legality of using them first as others have mentioned.

ive only driven with chains but they worked pretty well, i would go with whatever is cheaper

p.*. if you get really ambitious, you can make your own studded tires, but that is alot of work.

Studs are great, you can just leave them on the car and forget them for the winter. But PLEASE, do NOT go making your own studs, at least not any car that is going to be driven on a regular basis on roads.

i know you can not drive studs on the roads around here... and chains are really just a temp. thing for mountain driving etc.. i don't think you would want to leave them on all year. just get some snow tires. if you cant make it down your street, you shoulnt be driving that car in those conditions! :P

good point jack, i suppose most of the homemade studded tires ive seen have been used for ice racing.

Round here, you can have studs from like Mid-November til mid-March (or maybe mid-April).
Then you have to take them off or you can get a fine.

Apparently both are legal.

I was slightly leaning toward chains since you can put them on only when needed and not have to buy an extra set of tires for 4-6 bad snow days a year.

Thoughts?