Looking for new Tires for the CX9....20" for good snow use.

[KrisKringle]

I am looking for a set of tires for the CX9 I need to have two things primarily 1st and most important Long wearing , then good Snow performance. I know I know, I should get a separate set of snow sneakers. But right now it is not going to happen. So for at least the coming winter I need the all seasons to duke it out in the snow for me.
Here is the deal I do a decent amount of winter driving, where I live we get a decent amount of snow and lots of below zero in the winter (Utah----very high elevation in Utah).
I am used to an all wheel drive vehicle or 4wd shod in all seasons. Never run snows so i'm not intimidated by all seasons. But last year the factory tires just sucked, these things are poor, it was no better than a fwd car... so I am looking for an improvement. I am looking for experience from users of the following tires, also if you have had snow driving experience better and if you have experience with more than one even better. I am looking for the following feedback. How many miles driven, how they are lasting, and snow and wet performance. Here are the tires im looking at

Yokohama Parada spec -X 420 AA No mileage warranty
Hankook Ventus rh07 420 AA 65,000 warranty
Pirelli Scorpian STR 520 AA 65,000 warranty
Yokohama Avid Envigor 560 AA 60,000 warranty
Toyo Versado CUV 440 AA 50,000 warranty
Toyo Open Country H/T 640 AB 60,000 warranty (235/55/20)

the 3 im looking at the most are the scorpian,ventus, and open country probably paradas next. I know everyone loves the paradas but im weary of the tread life.

 

[Rawyzf]

Subscribing to this thread for comments. I'll probably end up getting some 18's with snows, but would like to know other options.

 

[jal142]

I would buy some Bridgestone Blizzaks on 17 inch rims from tire rack and swap them on when it starts to get sloppy out. You can get 4 snow tires with rims for ~$1K. You are looking at ~$700 installed for a set of 20" all seasons (minimum).

To me, all season tires are the worst of both worlds. For a little extra money, you can get a set of good snow tires (I used to live up north, and Blizzaks are awesome in the snow).

 

[KrisKringle]

not going to get into the snow tire versus all season debate. I simply asked for experiences with the listed tires, not for someone to tell me to get snow tires. I need all seasons now, if in a year I feel so inclined to get snow tires ill do so then.

 

[table5511]

KrisKringle - you may already know this, but make sure when you look at the picture of the tread pattern, to see if the tire you choose has wide center channels or not. Generally, tires with big wide center channels, which also tend to seam-follow the road, have less traction in the snow. From the photos I have seen of the Yoko Parada Spec-X, the Parada's seem to have a tread pattern which would have the best grip in snow, just in my humble opinion.

 

[CNF]

Go with the Parada Spec Xs. I put these on last October and never had an issue in the snow. Actually thought these were pretty damn good in the snow. FYI, I live in MA and take trips up to NH and VT to ski.

 

[SeCX-9]

I just put on Yoko Parada Spec-X a few months back and have used a set of 18" Blizzak on extra rims for the winter. Tempted to give the Yoko's a quick try in the first snow, but since I have the Blizzaks will likely switch to them.

Been very happy with the Yoko's on my car and my wife's CX-7 (which I put on day one when we bought her car..sold the Duellers on Craigs list).

 

[KrisKringle]

Just thought id let you know I ordered something different from the usual on here. I think im the first here to run these......
I ordered Toyo Open Country H/T. 235/55/20. These are a bit thinner but still rated for our rims. They are 30.2" tall x 9.8" wide. The original Bridgestone 245/50/20 are 29.8" tall x 10" wide. So the tires are .4" Taller and .2" thinner. So not much difference, I don't mind either the extra height or thinner width. The thinner tire should help with mpg and snow traction. The extra height gives me .2" more ground clearance it adds up. The tire weight is within 1/2lb. These have a 12/32 tread depth so they are the deepest in our size. They are a 60k mileage warranty and the siping is heavy with zig zag siping such as snow tires. They are rated high in snow. For those wishing to run bigger, they do have them in 265/50/20. I will report and take photos when I get them mounted.....

 

[T.Narley]

I too am in need of tires before winter. The factory Duelers are probably down to 30%, so they have some life left, but they are so bad in the snow even when new that there's no way I'm trusting my wife and children to them through winter.

I will probably buy a set of factory style 18s and put some proper winter tires on them. Even the best "all season" tires are awful compared to proper winter tires.

 

[nuru]

Just thought id let you know I ordered something different from the usual on here. I think im the first here to run these......
I ordered Toyo Open Country H/T. 235/55/20. These are a bit thinner but still rated for our rims. They are 30.2" tall x 9.8" wide. The original Bridgestone 245/50/20 are 29.8" tall x 10" wide. So the tires are .4" Taller and .2" thinner. So not much difference, I don't mind either the extra height or thinner width. The thinner tire should help with mpg and snow traction. The extra height gives me .2" more ground clearance it adds up. The tire weight is within 1/2lb. These have a 12/32 tread depth so they are the deepest in our size. They are a 60k mileage warranty and the siping is heavy with zig zag siping such as snow tires. They are rated high in snow. For those wishing to run bigger, they do have them in 265/50/20. I will report and take photos when I get them mounted.....

Well, where are those pics?

 

[KrisKringle]

i posted a new topic for the pics here......http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123802954-Toyo-Open-Country-H-T-235-55-20-tires