New Mazda 3 sport - help with winter tire selection?

[takk]

Hi all,

I gather this forum doesn't see much traffic, but I've tried three times to register at the mazdaclubcanada.com forums that the mod recommended but keep getting the following error msg:

"Ran into problems sending Mail. Response: 451 4.1.8 Domain of sender address *********@bozzak.com does not resolve"

I did receive the welcome email, however, but can't log in. Anyone know what that's about?!

On to my questions...

I'm wondering if anyone has bought winter tires from Eastern Tire in Pictou County, NS? Specifically, the ETS 770 Performance Snow Blizzard Master? They are made from recycled tires, and being environmentally conscious, the idea is very appealing -- plus, a place down the road from me sells them and is having a huge sale right now. I'd really appreciate anyone's experiences with this kind of tire. Here's the link to the tire company with info about their tires:

http://www.easterntire.ns.ca/

I'm also wondering about the benefits and drawbacks of having them studded. I'm in the valley near Wolfville where the highways (the 101 mainly) can get verrrrry slushy and the accident rate is really scary. I have never had tires that did well under these kinds of conditions, yet cars seem to whiz past me all the time while I'm sliding all over going half their speed (and I was driving a minivan -- I just got my mazda 3 yesterday) -- I'd love to know what kind of tires those guys have! I broke down and bought Michelin X-ice tires for my MPV a month ago (then a few days ago, the transmission died, grrrr!) and even those didn't seem to do particularly well on the slushy highway. So, for the first time, I'm considering studding my tires and would love to hear people's experiences.

Also, I thought studded tires were banned in most provinces. If I drive to Ontario with my studded tires, can I get ticketed (or worse)?

Thanks!

Susan

PS. I may post my questions in other more Canada-wide forums too so sorry if you see it more than once!

 

[streetmach]

I searched the site for winter tires on 2.3 mazda3 hatch and purchased hankook ice bears. They were also the only winter tire available in 17" where I purchased them in northern Ohio ($114.00 each out the door). I plan to travel to Ontario 3 separate weeks this winter. So far they outperformed the stock summer tires by 50%. Can't really give a proper endorsement till winter is over. So far so good. Streetmach.

 

[Waynehelpme]

I had studded tires the last three years on my MPV and found they worked very well. My MPV has 120000km on it and is just five years old a week ago. My transmission is toast and it will cost $3500 for a recondition one. Dealer said not there problem.