I’m not saying our 2018 Buick Regal TourX is a beater, but without a good set of winter tires it certainly wouldn’t be good in the winter. If you can take one thing away from clicking on this blog, it’s that you desperately need good tires to make it through winter.
One suggestion I might make is to look for something that still fits a 15-inch wheel with a common bolt pattern. For one thing, you’ll find much cheaper winter tires available for 15s. For another, you can probably get a set of used steel wheels with winter tires fitted from your local Craigslist. 4×100 is a very common pattern for small, inexpensive, front-wheel drive economy cars, which tend to make great winter beaters.
The gold standard of winter tire is pretty much neck and neck between the Nokian Hakkapeliitta, and Bridgestone Blizzak. Depending on size and availability, either would be an excellent choice for your winter safety. If you’re looking to be safe on a budget, grab a set of Firestone Winterforce tires, as I’ve had very good luck with them as well.
You don’t have to worry about studded tires unless you frequently see ice. And some states, like Michigan, have outlawed studs. Consult your local laws before committing to studs.