Jim Haight wrote to Mark Hofmann:   
      
    JH> Re: Transmission rebuild.   
      
    >> I'm ready for the winter now..   
    >> - Mark   
      
    JH> Ahh there is still life in this echo.   
      
   We had an incident of losing a poster a few weeks back.   
      
    JH>  Speaking about winter, I am nearing the end of my OEM Michelins for   
    JH> my FORD Escape and looking into something more agressive for the Cape   
    JH> Cod winters.   I've narrowed it down to two tires that seem to be   
    JH> reasonably priced i.e. Firestone Destination A/T and General Grabbers   
    JH> AT2.  It seems that both are favorites in the reviews, both offer all   
    JH> around performance and longetivity and both have good reputations for   
    JH> not being loud.   
      
   That's a good thing, not being loud. I switched from Yokohamas to Kumos to   
   get away from harsh ride and loud road noise. I liked the Kumos so much   
   that I bought a second set when they had just under 40k on them.   
      
    JH> What it seems to boil down to in the reviews is what vehical they   
    JH> were on.The Grabbers seem a tad bit better in the snow but everyone   
    JH> raves about how long the Firestones last. The reviews tend to get   
    JH> hair splitting. A third newcomer is the Yokohama Geolander (too many   
    JH> choices). Anyhow, I do a lot of mixed driving being a visiting nurse   
    JH> in a rural area so I run up against sand at beachfront properties,   
    JH> mud and dirt roads, and occasional torrential flooding in areas. I am   
    JH> leaning towards the Firestones. Any other ideas out there?   
      
   Take a look at a Kumo in comparable sizes and road tread design in your   
   local winter needs...we don't have any weather like you would have in   
   Connecticut, but we do get the occasional flooding after a hard rain. I   
   haven't experienced any hydroplaning with my Kumos, but there's always the   
   first time for that. Otherwise, I go where I want to and just smile at   
   those who attempt to cross high-running water.   
      
      
      
            R\%/itt   
      
      
   --- GoldED+/W32 1.1.5-31012   
   --- D'Bridge 3.92   
    * Origin: Bow Tie Racers, Been There, Done That! (1:387/22)