Blizzak WS-50 vs. Toyo Observe

[scheefdog]

I went price shopping today for snow tires at all the local tire dealers and the best deal I found was the blizzak WS-50 for $120 mounted. I have a P5 with the stock 16" rims that I'm putting the tires on. These tires look sweet my only concern is how fast they wear. Is it worth sending $150 for the Toyo Observe which might not wear is fast? Anyone with the blizzaks out there how many winters do you have on them and how much tread is left? Does anyone have the Toyos, same question? I'm looking for some really aggressive snow tires because the winter driving is extreme where I live. I also looked into the Nokian RSI, but they are $$$ and I'm not willing to spend that much. Any recommendations or deals that you know of I'd love to hear about them, keeping in mind true winter driving conditions. I don't need to hear about how you live in a place with no snow.

Also, does my 03 P5 have any sort of limited slip?

 

[ottawaP5]

Do you really want to stick to 16" for the winter? You can save so much money by buying 14" steelies. Then the toyos or blizzaks would only be around $115 each.

 

[scheefdog]

I would definitly consider getting 14 or 15" steel rims. How much have you guys paid for them?

 

[ottawaP5]

I got Toyo Observe G02 plus for $114 CDN a tire. Add about $40-$50 for each rim.

Here's a US quote from 1010tires.com - For 14" get 185/65/14

http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?tirebrand=Toyo&tiremodel=Observe+GO%2D2+plus

 

[scheefdog]

Thanks, great website. I talked to one of the local dealers about steel wheels and he said mazdas have small hubs so trying to find steel wheels that will fit it are a pain. Is this true?

 

[terbow]

on tire rack they made me a whole package and balanced it and shipped it.

rims were 15" steeles (i have a msp and 15 is smallest i can do) for 38$ each, and wheels were i forger but the whole thing was like 420 shipped.

get a whole pakage already done form either site its worth it and u dont have to worry aobut mounting or searching.

 

[ottawaP5]

Thanks, great website. I talked to one of the local dealers about steel wheels and he said mazdas have small hubs so trying to find steel wheels that will fit it are a pain. Is this true?

They found 14" steel rims for me without a problem. Make sure they are steelies that are specially made for the Protege and not a generic steel wheel. Generic steelies don't sit on the hub properly and will shake at speeds above 55.