Originally Posted By: 97tbird
Now it's different. I need to be pretty much 100% sure that I can get to work...
And of course the Tbird, my to-be snow beater, is RWD...
This right there would make me want to get the best possible tires to handle the worst conditions that you are going to encounter (unpaved snow covered roads). RWD is safe as long as you have proper tires, but otherwise it can be no fun. IMO, getting winter rubber would be a safer (for you an others) and more reliable solution.
If you plan on keeping those tires on the Tbird all year long, you may want to look into all-weather tires that are geared more towards winter performance but can still handle warm weather OK, such as Nokian WR. They're more expensive, but at least you don't have to bother with two sets of tires.
Then again, I guess it depends on just how much snow you get... if we're talking about light dusting, less than 1" accumulation and temps typically above freezing, then maybe dedicated winters are overkill... i dunno.