lowered with snow tires here in maine and i have no issues.... though i don't have the front lsd like you ms3 guys have nor traction control and i get around fine... though if it snows a lot as jbiird said i turn into a snow plow with my 2-3" clearance under the chin spoiler..
as others have said it all depends on your type of winter but my first year on the bad good year RSA tires almost killed me a couple of times and my girlfriend hung up the frame on a snowbank.... chicks.... anyways the next year i bought a set of used snow tires localy and a set of used protege 16" wheels and for less then 300$ i had a nice looking set of winter wheels...
try to find some stock mazda 17" or 16" wheels (do 16 fit an ms3?) and maybe some used tires in craigs list or some other local classifieds and get yourself some cheap traction.
as others have said it all depends on your type of winter but my first year on the bad good year RSA tires almost killed me a couple of times and my girlfriend hung up the frame on a snowbank.... chicks.... anyways the next year i bought a set of used snow tires localy and a set of used protege 16" wheels and for less then 300$ i had a nice looking set of winter wheels...
try to find some stock mazda 17" or 16" wheels (do 16 fit an ms3?) and maybe some used tires in craigs list or some other local classifieds and get yourself some cheap traction.