Mazda 3 - 16" or 17" better for snow?

M

mazda3ornot

Member

• Feb 3, 2005

• #1

Hi there!

I am looking at either a GS+sport package+power pack.. or a GT+GFX package.. but I need to know one thing first..

How does the 3's drive on snow?? or shall I say, how does the 16" tire compare to the 17" tire when it comes to driving in snow? I just want to use all season tires and don't want to go through the trouble of changing tires...

I drive a Nissan Altima 2000 now and in the market for a new car.. Is the Mazda 3 comparable to the old altima, at all?

Thanks a lot!

Theresa

 

Last edited: Feb 3, 2005

W

wongpres

Member

:

Ti. Grey Mazda3 GT GFX

• Feb 3, 2005

• #2

mazda3ornot, I've also PM'd you for more Toronto-specific info. But do a search here for other input regarding winter tires.

 

T

Tonys3

Member

:

2004 Mazda 3s

• Feb 3, 2005

• #3

I dont know if the size has anything to do w/ it, BUt i have 16in and i drove 650 mi all in the snow , and it did great !!!

 

L

lumlum83

Member

• Feb 4, 2005

• #4

I changed all my tires to 16" Michigan Winter tires. The performance is good!!!!

 

Last edited: Mar 28, 2008

G

goldwing2000

Turd in the punch bowl

:

2004 Mazda3s Hatch; 269,000 miles

• Feb 4, 2005

• #5

The size of the wheel is irrelevant to snow traction. The only thing that makes a difference is tread width. Since the 16s and 17s are both 205 tires, the only factor is cost. 16 inch snows will cost you less than 17 inch snows.

 

M

majic

Member

:

2005 Mazda3 Sport GT

• Feb 5, 2005

• #6

mazda3ornot said:

Hi there!

I am looking at either a GS+sport package+power pack.. or a GT+GFX package.. but I need to know one thing first..

How does the 3's drive on snow??

Click to expand...

i would say go for either model and downsize 1 on the tires (so if you get GS go with 15" tires and GT get 16" snows) as goldwing said, smaller tires will be cheaper and the 15s are 195mm wide - narrower tires better for winter.

you can't fit 15" wheels on the GT due to larger calipers. I am quite happy with my GT and 16" hankook w300 tires

 

Z

ZOOMZOOMSPEED

Member

• Feb 8, 2005

• #7

Yeah I have the stock 17" and the 6 cd indash changer sunroof package. I have big plans for my mazda. This is what i did with the 1998 stratus i owned I sold it 2 months ago. here's a pic of that awesome ride http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/358465
Im glad i sold it cause i really wanted this mazda.
some mazda3 specs
Acceleration: 0-60 mph in seven seconds (estimated)

Engine Type: displacement: DOHC 16-valve, four-cylinder; 2.3 liter

Horsepower: 160 hp @6,500 rpm

Torque: 150 foot-pounds @4,500 rpm

EPA Mileage: 25 city/32 highway

 

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G

goldwing2000

Turd in the punch bowl

:

2004 Mazda3s Hatch; 269,000 miles

• Feb 9, 2005

• #8

(scratch)

And what does that have to do with snow tires?