Newbie - just picked up my 2007 Mazda 3 Sport -- winter tire recs?!

[takk]

The tranny crapped out on my 2000 MPV at 215,000 kms (grrrrr!) yesterday but heyyyy, what a really good excuse to get the Mazda 3 Sport that I've been drooling over for ages! Picked it up today

The bummer is that my Mazda 3 takes 16" tires and I just sold four 16" barely used winter tires that had been taking up space in my shed for the past 3 years! To add to the bummer factor, I then paid almost $700 (Cdn incl our insane 14% sales tax) for Michelin X-Ice winter tires for my MPV, but they're only 15" so no good for my Mazda3! (pissed)

I live in semi-rural Nova Scotia and need GOOD winter tires -- and they must be able to handle SLUSH really well! I just don't get how all these cars can go whizzing by me, seeming to totally hug the slushy highway while I'm sliding all over the place at well-below the speed limit, even with my X-ice tires on my X-van!

Snow/slush tire recs for the Mazda 3 Sport GS anyone? I do have to deal with ice too (mainly on my steep driveway), but around here, they're very liberal with the salt on the highways so slush is a much bigger problem.

Thanks!

 

[jbiird317]

hello and welcome to the forums!!

as for winter tires, the best out there are Blizzaks. They are reliable in the snow, slush and ice (assuming ur not speeding around like a moron). As for specs, tirerack.com will be able to tell u what fits and what doesnt, but general rule of thumb for snow tires is the taller the tire sidewall the better... good luck!

 

[tsunami]

taller and narrower... -1 tire size for winter isn't a bad thing as its easier to cut through the snow...

and i heard the new x-ice are better then the blizzaks as they don't wear out as quick and you get the same/better traction....so if your not having luck with the x-ice i would read through www.tirerack.com info and see what the consumer reviews say for your type of weather, mostly slushy highway... good luck with the search

 

[takk]

Thanks for the replies...

I checked out tirerack.com and the Dunlop Winter Sport M3 seems like it might be a good bet.

But I'm also considering tires from this local company that makes new tires from old -- environmentally friendly (which appeals to me) and I like the idea of supporting local companies. But since no-one's likely to know anything about these (Eastern Tire Service -- http://www.easterntire.ns.ca/) it's a bit of a gamble. I hate these kinds of decisions!

I'm also considering getting them studded but have no experience with that. Anyone?

Thanks again for your replies!

 

[tsunami]

i run studded snows.... got em for 100 bucks and they were only used for a month... studding tires isn't hard but if its mostly slush i wouldn't be to worried about it

 

[Kuro3]

I love my Avon Techs from tirerack they grip really well and are pretty quiet too, but they are all-season. If you are looking for strictly winter tires, I'd say go with the blizzacks.