All-season or winter tire options?

[metroplex]

I am ready to make a decision between the 09 Cobalt SS and 09 Mazdaspeed3 but the only thing making me lean towards the Cobalt SS is better all-season tire choices.

The 215/45R18 tires on the MS3 are limited to sh*t, summer tires, and squirmy dedicated snow tires. Although I plan to drive my MS3 in MI winters, I prefer good all-seasons like Goodyear Assurance TripleTred or Continental ContiExtremeContact that work well in the snow. Snow tires are generally very squirmy on dry ground and tend to hydroplane in the rain, not to mention noisy.

What are my choices? I don't want to handle the logistics of separate wheels for the winter - been there, done that. It's a PITA. Can I swap in 17" or 16" wheels?

The Cobalt has a much better tire size: 225/40R18 where there are plenty of good tire choices that aren't necessarily snow tires.

 

[metroplex]

It looks like Goodyear makes the TripleTred in 225/50R18. The specs indicate that it would fit a 7" wide wheel and has comparable load specs to the stock Bridgestones. What do you think of this size for the MS3?

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Triple treads are not considered by most a good all season tire for cars of this nature. I live in Walled Lake and have been driving my speed for 2 years. There are speeds around with dedicated snow and speeds with all seasons. The pirelli M&S is a GREAT tire and not that expensize in a 225/40 and I am running YK520's with GREAT success. If you can even debate the interior and build quality between the two cars then the tire choice is not your problem unless you are just getting a swinging deal with A plan. However, in this market and economy resale would be something to think about as well and the Mazda has the Cobalt beat hands down... Up to you. Come join the Michigan section here. We have a pretty cool scene. Might benefit you to talk and or hang out with us before you make that decision.

 

[metroplex]

Thanks! There are quite a few MS3's at work and they are nice cars for sure.

What are the safe-to-use tire sizes for the MS3's stock 18x7 wheels?

I have Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S on my 2007 Mustang GT and they're great, except everyone that has these tires w/ the S197 GT have reported mediocre results in snow. It is not surprising since the tread compound is rather stiff compared to the much softer TripleTreds, and not to mention the tread pattern on the Pirellis does not promote channeling of snow. I grew up w/ RWD/V8 cars in the snow and have been driving through the white stuff in my 2000 Crown Vic w/ the TripleTreds - I only got stuck in 13" of snow because the car is too low and was dragging the snow in the underbody. I had to scrape out packed snow and ice for weeks.

The Cobalt interior sucks - plain and simple. The exterior and interior lighting is from 1995 and the lack of a telescoping wheel is annoying. There's no armrest either. The MS3 lacks a sunroof while both cars lack power seats, heated seats, and heated mirrors. I love HIDs and LED tail lights. I'm still torn by the Brembo 4-piston brakes, GM's LNF engine, and chassis on the Cobalt SS. I immediately forgot about the craptastic GM quality when I got on the throttle.

How is the gearbox in your MS3? Does it offer crisp and clean shifts? The Cobalt's gearbox felt like a notchy gumball. My 07 GT's gearbox felt numb at first until I switched to Redline High Temp ATF - now I can use my pinky to shift and it clicks into place! I just want to get out of the Crown Vic with the stupid automatic transmission and into a fun to drive compact pocket rocket w/ a manual.