I have had a set of 17" Mazda 3 wheels on my speed the past 2 winters in Ohio with blizzaks mounted on them, and I can say they are more than half way decent. I got caught in a storm where i had to drive through more than 15" of snow and I was able to make it, so i think you should all be fine. As far as acceleration and ice go the answer is obvious. All in all they were definitely worth it.
