Mazda3 hatch w/ 16in wheels

[JjJjTt]

I just bought a 2006 Mazda3 s 2.3l hatch and it needs new tires. I picked out a well-reviewed 17in set using the make/model/trim at tirerack, but after going and actually looking at the size of the tires on the car, they are 16in. These are the tires that came new on it... is it normal for these cars to come with a smaller size than the default? Is there a benefit to getting 17in wheels?

 

[rustychops41]

Possibly in Canada, but all US hatchbacks had/have 17's since the 3 came out in 2004.

 

[JjJjTt]

Strange... For some reason this one has the S standard 16in wheels and the stock P205/55R16 Toyo Proxes A05. I wonder why... I guess the benefit for me is cheaper tires.

 

[JjJjTt]

Anyone else with a 3 HB have 16in wheels off the dealer lot?

 

[rustychops41]

If you got it used, perhaps it was traded in with aftermarket wheels/tires that were, let's say, Highly Desired by a dealership employee. Maybe the tires were shot, or the wheels were severely curb rashed, and they had some new car take-offs lying around. The original owner could have swapped them out for a better ride. There are lots of maybes, but I'm pretty sure they never came that way from Mazda, at least not in the USA.

 

[JjJjTt]

I bought it used from a private party (who got it from the Mazda dealership new) with all paperwork, even the 16in Toyo tire warranty slip. My guess is that the dealership must have swapped them and sold them new with 16in tires. The information on the driver door panel indicates that it should have 17in tires. It's still under warranty... should I contact the dealership?

 

[chrissor]

none gt models of the sport came with 16in. not just in canada, in the states aswell