The Blizzaks are the best in snow, but I agree that they sacrifice a bit for dry performance.

I found the Dunlop M2s (I think those were replaced with the M3 model) to be the best balance of snow/dry/wet performance. I used those for a few winters in Massachusetts which, like Chicago, is mostly cold, wet and dry with short periods of heavy snow throughout the winter.

 

Michelin pilot A/S Last twice as long as stock, you can run them all year. Excellent dry and wet weather performance for the street anyway. And very capable in the snow. A little pricey but worth it.

I drove my 04 coupe thru 2 winters commuted 80 miles roundtrip into NYC everyday but 2 and those two days we had 16 and 12 inches of snow. NO problems whatsoever.

I just picked up my new coupe and only 500 miles on it and already has a new set of MP A/S on it.

PS

Anyone want to buy a set of 19 bridgestones with only 500 miles on them.

 

Thanks to all the replies. Getting a beater? Nah, not why I bought the car. If I'd drive a beater in the winter I'd drive a beater 365 and pocket the $$. Bottom line is it's still a car, not worried about salt damage - never had any salt damage on any car I've owned, I just keep it clean.

I see a lot of people with Dunlaps, but seems it's more with the 18". Based on TireRack these don't come in the sizes for my coupe with 17" (they don't show a 225/50-17 or 235/50-17 in this series). With the coupe's original staggered sizes, plus traction control and VDC, it seems that I need to keep to the "stock" sizes - is my thinking wrong on this? The M3's seem to be great specs and the tire I'd prefer but not offered in my size.