Recommended snow tires for 2011 Mazda3

[GreenDiesel]

Hi... My wife & I own two Mazda3's and are thinking of getting new snow tires for our 2011 Mazda3. This is mainly because our Mazda's are not that great in the snow & we want to improve it as much as possible.

We bought this Mazda3 used in 2016 when it had 88K on it. It came with snow tires, which I'm pretty sure are its originals. It now has about 149K on it. The tread on these snow tires "looks" OK but, frankly, the car easily gets stuck in snow and I'd like better grip when travelling throughout rural southern Ontario during the winter. (We live in Toronto but travel 2-3 hours into the country a lot.)

What brands of snow tires do folks most recommend for this car and, would going to Canadian Tire by wise? We're on a tight budget, so I'm thinking of even getting the MotoMaster brand as there seems to be some deals on there.

Thanks in advance,
Rob

[G ~ MINI]

Canadian Tire MotoMaster are on sale ... I think a set of 205/55/16 winters edge $475

I got 2 sets of winter tires from http://www.ceotire.com/Specials (manufacturer rebates) in Scarborough.

This is what i got quoted in September and went with the Blizzak LM001 for $600 ( minus $70 rebate https://www.bridgestonetire.ca/special-offers )
These sell at Canadian Tire for $830.....anyways ...Not sure if prices and sale and tires will remain the same for October ...email them.

205-55-16 Snows: (Sept pricing)
Sunny or Mirage winter - $350.00 (china)
Laufenn Fit Ice LW71 91T - $430.00 (made by Hankook)
Firestone Winterforce 2 91S - $490.00
Goodyear wintercommand 94T - $530.00
General Altimax Arctic 12 94T XL - $510.00
Hankook W419 iPike 94T XL - $510.00 ($60 Rebate)
Dunlop Winter MAXX 2 94T XL - $550.00 ($100 rebate)
Gislaved Nordfrost 200 94T XL - $550.00
Yokohama Ice Guard IG53 91H - $580.00 ($90 rebate)
Pirelli Winter Ice Zero FR 94T XL - $600.00
Continent Vikingcontact 7 94T XL - $580.00
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 91H - $600.00
Dunlop Wintersport 4D 91H - $650.00 ($100 rebate)
Nokian Nordman 7 94T XL - $680.00
Michelin X-Ice Xi3 94H - $660.00
Toyo Observe G3 Ice HP 94H XL - $600.00 ($70 rebate)
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 94R - $820.00
Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 94V XL - $600.00 ON SALE NOW

Do your research....some tires better for city drive, some for ice, some for highway, and whats good in the deep country not the best for ice or highway.

[GreenDiesel]

Canadian Tire MotoMaster are on sale ... I think a set of 205/55/16 winters edge $475

I got 2 sets of winter tires from http://www.ceotire.com/Specials (manufacturer rebates) in Scarborough.

This is what i got quoted in September and went with the Blizzak LM001 for $600 ( minus $70 rebate https://www.bridgestonetire.ca/special-offers )
These sell at Canadian Tire for $830.....anyways ...Not sure if prices and sale and tires will remain the same for October ...email them.

205-55-16 Snows: (Sept pricing)
Sunny or Mirage winter - $350.00 (china)
Laufenn Fit Ice LW71 91T - $430.00 (made by Hankook)
Firestone Winterforce 2 91S - $490.00
Goodyear wintercommand 94T - $530.00
General Altimax Arctic 12 94T XL - $510.00
Hankook W419 iPike 94T XL - $510.00 ($60 Rebate)
Dunlop Winter MAXX 2 94T XL - $550.00 ($100 rebate)
Gislaved Nordfrost 200 94T XL - $550.00
Yokohama Ice Guard IG53 91H - $580.00 ($90 rebate)
Pirelli Winter Ice Zero FR 94T XL - $600.00
Continent Vikingcontact 7 94T XL - $580.00
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 91H - $600.00
Dunlop Wintersport 4D 91H - $650.00 ($100 rebate)
Nokian Nordman 7 94T XL - $680.00
Michelin X-Ice Xi3 94H - $660.00
Toyo Observe G3 Ice HP 94H XL - $600.00 ($70 rebate)
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 94R - $820.00
Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 94V XL - $600.00 ON SALE NOW

Do your research....some tires better for city drive, some for ice, some for highway, and whats good in the deep country not the best for ice or highway.

Thanks for this -- helpful info! R

[dhlwtu]

You get what you pay for. Motomaster you'll be replacing every 3 seasons. A premium tire will last you 5-6 seasons, obviously depending on millage and your driving style/road conditions.

I owned a 06 GT hatchback 5 speed and now own a 19 GT hatchback and both cars have blizzaks for winter. My driving would be classified "spirited" which is a nice word for CRAZY! Blizzaks rule!!!

[G ~ MINI]

You get what you pay for. Motomaster you'll be replacing every 3 seasons. A premium tire will last you 5-6 seasons, obviously depending on millage and your driving style/road conditions.

I owned a 06 GT hatchback 5 speed and now own a 19 GT hatchback and both cars have blizzaks for winter. My driving would be classified "spirited" which is a nice word for CRAZY! Blizzaks rule!!!

I agree ...you pay for what you get and I try to buy the best tire at the a really great price.
I went with the Blizzak LM001 ...at $600 for a set of 4 installed on my OEM mazda rim and they came with a $70 rebate ($530) . These tires rock ...I was on Hankook i'Cept and I think i like the LM001 better.
I havent yet had a real good testing on ice ...lets see how many season they last ... 3-4 is good

[rajin929]

i have a soft spot in my heart for the Toyo Observes
i previously ran G02+ and GSi5's and absolutely LOVED them.
they were amazing in deep snow and slush, the chunky tread really helped

i know everyone is hard on about the Xice, the short time i did have them I wasn't totally sold with the deep snow

[G ~ MINI]

i have a soft spot in my heart for the Toyo Observes
i previously ran G02+ and GSi5's and absolutely LOVED them.
they were amazing in deep snow and slush, the chunky tread really helped

i know everyone is hard on about the Xice, the short time i did have them I wasn't totally sold with the deep snow

Thats the thing with high end winter tires... you need to get what is needed for your lifestyle .
Im in the city 99% and do alot of highdriving. so deep snow traction i do not need unless im in Muskoka every weekend.
Im on the Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 ...and impressed so far on highway speeds in rain /slush and a bit of snow. I want to see how they do on Ice
and snow , and on hard snow and that plowed hard/soft snow. Was on Hankook I'ced 3 last year i think LM001 are ahead.
But seriously ...i am splitting hairs here. If someone gave me a new set of Hankook i would drive on them...

[SonicBoy]

Everyone has their brand they will swear by.

Do some research at Consumers Reports and try Tirerack.com for their tire selector.

You can also see other reviews. Google is also good by adding the word "Review" after the brand you are after.