Future thinking....

[3GFX]

Well, its time to start savin for a set of gummies. My RS-As are wearing thin. I liked them, they\'re a good tire imo. I\'ve drivin bimmers and my mums accord with Michelin MXV4 all seasons and they definitly don\'t grip as well, hehe.

So here is my dilema. I\'ll start off by saying..me = student...

I don\'t want to buy a set of steelies for the winter because I plan on purchasing rims hopefully next summer. So I want to wrap my stock 17s with some decent rubber. I don\'t know how long I\'ll have to last on these tires while saving for summer rims and tires so I don\'t think I can get winters, I\'ll probably need all-seasons.

I\'m wondering if there are tires winter tires rated closer to all seasons, or all-seasons that are particularly good in the winter.

I\'m basically asking is there an all season tire for a 17\" rim that will do good in the winter and still be cheap????

I know I\'m asking a lot outta the tire, but what are your recomendations?



PS I like the MXV4s they\'re decent, anyone know if they have the same tire size as the RSAs and what the price would be?

[FLIPDADY]

There are Pirelli P6 All season are pretty good as well as the MXV4\'s.

My dad had Nokian WR\'s on his TL and they are one of the best for all driving conditions.
Here is some info:

Nokian WR (http://www.nokiantyres.com/passengercars_product_en?product=610503&name=NOKIA N+WR)

[3GFX]

Flippy that Nokian looks like a damn good tire. Where can I get them, and how much?

Anyone else have any suggestions?

[FLIPDADY]

Originally posted by 3GFX


Flippy that Nokian looks like a damn good tire. Where can I get them, and how much?

Anyone else have any suggestions?
Steelcase Tire and Mag is a good place to start. Ask for Dave if you call there.

[MazdaTree]

check the tire thread tons of deals going on right now!

[majic]

Originally posted by 3GFX

So here is my dilema. I\'ll start off by saying..me = student...

take the transit ;) you\'re lucky enough to be driving such a nice car :p anyway.. back on topic..


Originally posted by 3GFX
I don\'t want to buy a set of steelies for the winter because I plan on purchasing rims hopefully next summer. So I want to wrap my stock 17s with some decent rubber. I don\'t know how long I\'ll have to last on these tires while saving for summer rims and tires so I don\'t think I can get winters, I\'ll probably need all-seasons.

summer tire - excellent in dry wet.. sucky in snow
winter tire - excellent in ice/snow .. will wear much faster in the summer and not as good obviously
all season tire - mediocre in each.. it\'s 80% closer to the summer tire so snow handling will be questionable

steelies will run you 100-250 for 16s.. 16\" winters will be 100-200 bux less than 17s.. hmm.. you see what i\'m getting at? ;)

if i were you, i\'d bite the bullet and get a combo package (probably for around $600-$700) when they come out..

[TheProfessor]

I\'m with Majic on this one....just bite the bullet and do one of two things:

1) Put a dedicated 17\" winter tire on your factory wheels and then pick up a set of aftermarket rims/tires for the summer months

2) Get some reasonable all season\'s or summers on the factory 17\'s and buy a proper winter tire with steelie for the snow/ice.

How much longer are you going to be a student? If still for quite some time, I would look into picking up a set of used RS-A\'s (there\'s usually a set for sale every now and then) and pick up the dedicated winters/steelies.

The factory rims are very handsome and IMO are nicer looking then at least 75% of the aftermarket rims people on this and other boards have chosen to go for.

[3GFX]

I\'ll be looking into the ASA JH8 blacks or RX-8 rims for the summertime. So these rims will be my winter, I\'m probably not gonna get steelies. The debate is how bad the winters will be in the spring and part of the summer while I save and wait for the summer set.

I\'ve driven (in the country) in really bad storms on all-season MXV4s and I\'ve never slid at all. I\'m careful in the winter. So I guess I\'ll go with all seasons.

What are tire ratings anyway....

H is performance all-season like our RSAs right?

Is there other ratings for other all seasons? Like more \'all\' season?

And the bullet differance is just enough to not make me get steelies. I know that 16\" MXV4s were about 400$, and they hold up well all around. I found that in the summer they gave great feedback (better than some performance tires I\'ve driven on(I\'ve tested a few in other cars)). They obviously don\'t have high grip but they honestly have great feedback on when they\'re at their limit.

My brother (and numerous others) say go with some cheap Crappy Tire, Cosco, or Wal-Mart tires dedicated to winter. I might consider that.

Flippy recommended the Nokian and it looked like a good alternative to the MXV4s, anyone have any other recommendations?

[TheProfessor]

The Nokians are an awesome tire (they are one of if not the best winter tire on the market IMO) but they are quite expensive, and since you\'re a student and likely on a budget I would look elsewhere.

[majic]

Originally posted by 3GFX


I\'ll be looking into the ASA JH8 blacks or RX-8 rims for the summertime. So these rims will be my winter, I\'m probably not gonna get steelies. The debate is how bad the winters will be in the spring and part of the summer while I save and wait for the summer set.

why not just your stock 17s and get steelies+cash?


Originally posted by 3GFX

I\'ve driven (in the country) in really bad storms on all-season MXV4s and I\'ve never slid at all. I\'m careful in the winter. So I guess I\'ll go with all seasons.

just b/c you are careful it doesn\'t mean that the other idiots on the road are..


Originally posted by 3GFX
What are tire ratings anyway....

H is performance all-season like our RSAs right?

Is there other ratings for other all seasons? Like more \'all\' season?

in my sig there\'s a link to all the tire ratings and more..


Originally posted by 3GFX
Flippy recommended the Nokian and it looked like a good alternative to the MXV4s, anyone have any other recommendations?

as the prof says.. nokians will probably be out of your budget.. how about some used tires to get you by till you get your RX-8 rims?

[3GFX]

I want a different set of rims to make my car a little more original, plus I like the look of a lower profile tire. I also set a goal for my car to eventually pull over 0.9g on the skidpad (I\'ll eventually get the progress sway bar).

My RS-As will last me until first snowfall. So I\'m looking to setup my 17s as winters for the coming years.

And yes ur right nothing can stop other drivers even if I am careful, but all seasons are good for 75% of the Canadian population, so I\'ll side with them for now.

NO STEELIES!!! (just getting the point out ;) I appreciate the suggestions about them though)

I\'ve got two months to save up, so I just wanna get some ideas as to prices and what tire I should look for. Don\'t worry I\'ll play close attention to a group buy, and if I find I deal for a group buy I\'ll post one.

[FLIPDADY]

Here\'s the ideal tire if you want to stay factory size.

Michelin Pilot Exalto I can get you for $223.00 per tire. Excellent treadwear rating of 400.

It\'s even recommended as a key replacement for the Mazda 3 factory tire.

[3GFX]

Thx for the offer joe, but thats way outta my range. I don\'t wanna go more than 400$ for the complete set!!

[TheProfessor]

Originally posted by 3GFX


Thx for the offer joe, but thats way outta my range. I don\'t wanna go more than 400$ for the complete set!!

Uh, then stop looking at Nokians ;)

[3GFX]

Originally posted by TheProfessor



Originally posted by 3GFX


Thx for the offer joe, but thats way outta my range. I don\'t wanna go more than 400$ for the complete set!!

Uh, then stop looking at Nokians ;)

I stopped at \'No---n\' lol. They are great tires but outta my range. It looks like I\'m gonna have to look into the Motomaster range...

*runs and hides in shame*



*peeks to see if there is any snow on ground yet*



*comes out of hiding*

[FLIPDADY]

Originally posted by 3GFX



Originally posted by TheProfessor



Originally posted by 3GFX


Thx for the offer joe, but thats way outta my range. I don\'t wanna go more than 400$ for the complete set!!

Uh, then stop looking at Nokians ;)

I stopped at \'No---n\' lol. They are great tires but outta my range. It looks like I\'m gonna have to look into the Motomaster range...

*runs and hides in shame*



*peeks to see if there is any snow on ground yet*



*comes out of hiding*
You have a PM.

[bubba1983]

jus dont rep 3 sets of wheels...

thats how ballers roll!
hahahah

[doughboyr6]

i\'m gonna get steelies and get a slightly higher profile......and hopefully by summer i can get a new set of wheels and sell the stockers.....that or i\'ll just powder coat it..

[3GFX]

Well after some agrevating research through many websites and dealers I managed to narrow down a few tires.

I\'m looking into a dealer here in Kitchener than can get me decent all-seasons (less performance oriented) for about 130CDN per tire mounted and aligned. Which is a great price the tires would either be Vikings or Hankooks.

A second option is Tire Easy Canada

http://ssl.delti.com/tireseasy_ca_en/start.html

I found

Kumho
All season tires ECSTA ASX KU-21
205/50 ZR17 93W BSW asymmetric

97.20 CDN before shipping

Cooper
All season tires Zeon Sport A/S
205/50 R17 93W XL , , BLK NEW
102.10 CDN before shipping


I\'ll keep everyone posted...

[majic]

go with the ASX.. never heard of the coopers.. and lots of great ASX reviews..