[Oscarphone]

I would consider the two biggies, Blizzak or Hakkapeliitta (no studs, hydrophilic tread compound, much, much better than studs in any condition). Blizzaks have been around a long time and that means something. One of my old friends asked the same question a few years ago and I gave him the same advice. Dump the studs and go hydrophilic. He did Blizzaks and reported back that in the worst snow in the state, that he traversed regularly, his all wheel drive Toyota van "drove like it was on rails". Hakkapeliitta comes by way of Finland and if the Fins don't know what works in snow, nobody does. As for wheels, go used from a reputable salvage yard near you. Steel works for winter. I see that car-part.com has steel 17x6-1/2 wheels for around the $70.00 mark.