Tire chains recommendations?

[Zyzzyx]

I'm not too worried about snow driving technique, I'm familiar enough with that. Spent a few years back in central Missouri, had some good icy days (weeks!) there. I don't particularly want to deal with snow tires, just bought new tires for the car a couple months ago, and for 95% of the winter here the roads are clean and dry. I'm looking at chains to have should I get stuck with bad weather on the pass.

Oh, and I do have a manual transmission, and am used to short-shifting when needed, even starting out in second gear sometimes.

On a front wheel drive, try to avoid traditional chains. Stay with a cable type otherwise your suspension will take a beating.

Why would it take any more beating than rear wheel drive using traditional chains?

[Erisianmonkey]

Why would it take any more beating than rear wheel drive using traditional chains?

The thickness of the links of chain cause a bump-bump-bump effect that is bad for the cv joints of a front wheel drive vehicle. On a rear wheel drive, you have a solid axle with a differential in the center.