I was just going to throw on winter tires on my staggered duckfeet setup.
but after looking at the forums, it turns out thats a bad move

So far I've gathered
-Narrow/Taller tires=better
-squared setup superior for ice/snow
-Blizzaks (Though, I don't know which specific model)

Snow/ice performance very important to me
I don't really need dry performance, it can wait for spring

Budget: Whatever it takes lol, just want to be confident in a RWD in snow

Anyone have any recommendations? How the wheel looks doesn't matter either as long as it keeps me on the road, i here 17" is ideal

 

There’s nothing wrong with using your stock wheels for winters, in the stock size. Yes, a narrower tire is better to cut through deep snow, but in IL you probably need better ice performance than anything. Blizzaks are great, and what I run on the wife’s car, but it all depends how much you drive and your budget. Basically any winter tire will perform well, and you’re honestly best off to check at www.tirerack.com, or similar as they will have complete wheel/tire/tpms packages available, as well they have reviews on all their tires. A 17” would be best, and probably cheapest, so even steelies with hubcaps will work.

 

Adding a little weight to the trunk helps as well. Years back I had a Mustang in the winter and with winter treads and 200 lbs of weight I drove anywhere and everywhere. Thing was a tank.

 

17 inch wheels are not going to clear your front calipers. Most 18" won't either.

Nothing wrong with putting snow tires on your staggered duckfeet, but it gets expensive mounting tires twice a year, and you can't rotate them. So for your first winter just put snow tires on them, and before next spring rolls around buy summer wheels and tires, and then you have two sets. Again, it's expensive, but it's organized.

The rwd G37 sucks on snow and ice, so absolutely you should have snow tires in Chicago. However you do have limited slip, so you have that going for you. You better move quick though, because three season tires are dangerous when temps get low.

 

I didn't drive my G in the snow often but did occasionally. Snow tires were great for going and stopping. Not so much turning (rwd).

Blizzaks are probably the best snow tire for actually driving in the snow. We don't get much snow ongoing here. Every so often then it's cleaned up. If I was to buy snow tires again I'd probably go with some General product. Either way, any winter tire is better than all season in the snow.

 

I'll consider adding bags of sand should I feel the winter tire setup alone isn't efficient enough
damn, I was going to go with 17's, guess it's a no-go

My only solution is finding a pair of duckfeet for the rears that are the same size as the fronts for a squared setup- or finding an affordable 18 inch wheel

May have to go with your recommendations



Do you remember if you were running a staggered setup?

 

My Xice2 were square, 225/50/18 on 18x8.0 wheels.

 

Sometimes you'll hook up with a forum member who is willing to swap fronts or rears so that you both end up square. It's happened, rare tho.

But man, you are out of time. You got maybe 4 to 6 weeks before freezing temps become a regular thing, regardless of snow. Also, this time of year mounting & balancing appointments can be booked for weeks. Your best less stressful approach would be to order a set of snows, and call your favorite shop for an end-of-November booking.

I wouldn't get too hung up on having a square setup for snow tires. I've been using my staggered duckfeet for winter use these last 10 years, and it's fine. Then again, I don't have anything to compare it to, so take that with a grain of salt.

Coincidentally, I was just assessing my snows this weekend. I've got Blizzaks on the fronts with 8/32" thread, and X-Ice on the rears with 7/32" tread. This will be the last year for those rears.

 

Very good point about most shops being booked
I'm going to act on this asap instead of dreaming about finding a squared setup

Just more reason to take it easy this winter, no problem by me

I appreciate the advice

noted for future use