View Full Version : Cheapest Winter Tires
zoomzoom30
11-06-2007, 09:50 PM
I know, another winter tire thread, but I was just wondering what the minimum I could spend on a set of winter tires was while still driving (more) safely in the winter time. I am currently looking at the Nordiac at CT since with discounts I can bring the tires (16) down to about 300 bucks taxes in. Would 15 work on my car (07 Mazda GS Sedan)? What are my best options for rims if I go with the Nordics (either 15 or 16) either from Canadian Tire or from another dealership/tire place?
Thanks!
RedRaptor
11-06-2007, 10:13 PM
15" will work on your car since you have a GS (2.0L engine).
Check with Tires23(Tires23.com). They have pricing for 15" snow tires mounted on steelies. Take a look at the Viking Snowtechs. They maybe what you are looking for.
zoomzoom30
11-06-2007, 10:24 PM
How much are they mounted to the rims? If I bought the Nordics, how much would those cost to mount to the rim? Would the 15's be 205/55R15's instead of 205/55R16's? Sorry for all the questions, I'm a noob since this is my first car!
around $500 to $600 with rims
zoomzoom30
11-06-2007, 10:42 PM
Is that balanced and put on the car, too? If I can get away with the Nordics (since Canadian Tire puts them on for me according to their website), wouldn't that be a good price? $300 (taxes in for the tires) + cost of rims + cost of balancing? Or am I better off going with tires 23? Are the tires there better anyway, and worth the money? Again, sorry for the questions, but I wanted to go get my tires done tomorrow.
check ur PM box or my sig
RedRaptor
11-07-2007, 01:58 AM
Here is the Tires23 prices.
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=20688
Vlad: Are you associated with the Kijiji ad selling those winter tire packages? You seem to be pushing it quite a bit around here.
RedRaptor
11-07-2007, 02:02 AM
Is that balanced and put on the car, too? If I can get away with the Nordics (since Canadian Tire puts them on for me according to their website), wouldn't that be a good price? $300 (taxes in for the tires) + cost of rims + cost of balancing? Or am I better off going with tires 23? Are the tires there better anyway, and worth the money? Again, sorry for the questions, but I wanted to go get my tires done tomorrow.
For 15": 195/65R15 is the correct size.
Tires23 has the Viking Snowtech (T rated) for $350 which includes the cost of mounting and balancing. You'll have to call them about getting steelies wheels and what the total cost is. I just got the Viking Snowtechs mounted on my 16" OEM alloys today at Tires23.
btw: I am not associated with Tires23 in anyway. I'm just a happy customer who's bought all my tires from them and recommend them to my friends and family because of their great prices and customer service.
im only pushing a good deal
RedRaptor
11-07-2007, 02:09 AM
im only pushing a good deal
From the Kijiji ad, the MS3 package is for the Federal Himalayan WS1. I posted in another thread that there is some doubt whether the WS1 is actually a winter tire even though its advertised as one, others have said its more of a "super" all season tire.
So while $800 is a good deal for 17" winter tires with rims, buyer beware they aren't getting the best or the most proven (WS1s are new on the market) winter tire for that price.
zoomzoom30
11-07-2007, 07:20 AM
The 16's are more expensive then the Nordics, but include mounting, balancing, and tax, but still a difference of $200....not sure if it's worth it but I'm going to look more into it after work.
petemjones
11-07-2007, 09:54 AM
The 16's are more expensive then the Nordics, but include mounting, balancing, and tax, but still a difference of $200....not sure if it's worth it but I'm going to look more into it after work.
I just picked up 4 Hankook W409 / 16" steel rims from tires23 for $755 all in. Look good havn't driven them yet
RedRaptor
11-07-2007, 10:12 AM
I just picked up 4 Hankook W409 / 16" steel rims from tires23 for $755 all in. Look good havn't driven them yet
Good choice on the Winter IPike W409...I wanted to get those instead of the Viking Snowtech but they look like more of a deep snow tire than a city slush one.
zoomzoom30
11-08-2007, 06:23 PM
So, I contacted Tires23, and I am going with 1 of the three tires:
Nordics from CT or
Continental Viking snowtech or
Continental Viking Contact 3
Which do you think will handle the best in snowy, icey weather? I'm up in the Caledon/Bolton region, so more snow/ice then slush for me.
The Snowtech's are very good tires but for snow and ice it's better to get Q rated tires, T/H/V rated tires are more of a dry, slush (maybe) winter tire.
Also you'll have to add another $60 to whatever Canadain Tire's price on tires and or rims for balancing (mounthing is "free" but balancing is "extra" for about $15 per tire) if it isn't already included.
zoomzoom30
11-08-2007, 06:38 PM
The Snowtech's are very good tires but for snow and ice it's better to get Q rated tires, T/H/V rated tires are more of a dry, slush (maybe) winter tire.
Also you'll have to add another $60 to whatever Canadain Tire's price on tires and or rims for balancing (mounthing is "free" but balancing is "extra" for about $15 per tire) if it isn't already included.
So which tires should I go with? :)
I think the Snowtechs are T rated and the Contact 3's are Q rated same with the Canadian Tire, if the prices are the same I'd go with the Contact 3's.
If you have some time you can search for cheap used rims on Craigslist, Kijiji, regional Mazda forums, or even scrap yards.
zoomzoom30
11-08-2007, 09:07 PM
Nordics are about $310 (tax inc) + rims + balancing, while snowtech are 530 (rims, tax, balancing, and mounting inc) and contacts are 620 (rims, tax, balancing, and mounting inc).
Of these three tires, which are the best for icey/snowy conditions though?
Cosmo77
11-08-2007, 10:16 PM
OK the tire sizes for Mazda 3's are
If you have 17" or 16" rims....you can go to a 205/55/16 snow tire
If you have 15" you should stay with the stock 15" tire
I know my dealership has snow tire packages for $880+tax (this includes install, balance, and all that other stuff that other palces stick you for) for 4 Kuhmo kw19's with MAZDA 16" steel rims and 16" Mazda 6 wheel covers.
This is a really good deal. Owners with 15" rims have the option of buying tires and not rims, but we recommend buying the rims. Simply for the fact that you will have to pay apx. $90 spring/fall to have them mounted and balanced and then there is the wear and tear on the tires of being dismounted.
Comso
azn_outlaw
11-08-2007, 11:52 PM
Cheapest tires hands down...
Go to Walmart, there in house brand is hella cheap
trust me
zoomzoom30
11-09-2007, 07:16 AM
Cheapest tires hands down...
Go to Walmart, there in house brand is hella cheap
trust me
What are the chances of ANY of them being good?
RedRaptor
11-09-2007, 10:01 AM
zoomzoom30,
Remember that you get what you pay for. So eventho you are looking for the cheapest winter tires, you can't expect them to perform like Nokians.
I would go with Contacts 3 since you live in the Boonies. If you lived in the GTA, then go with the Vikings.
HappyJappy
11-09-2007, 03:15 PM
Vikings is rated one of the top 4 best winter tires.
RedRaptor
11-09-2007, 03:45 PM
Vikings is rated one of the top 4 best winter tires.
I bought the Vikings myself this year, I wanted to give them a try eventho I really wanted either the KW17s or W300s. Part of the reason why it was ranked so high was because it offers good value for the money. Its not the best winter tire to get if you are going to be driving around in deep snow. But for moderate snow and mostly slushy/wet conditions, you're golden with the Vikings.
sauga_kid
11-09-2007, 03:48 PM
3rd season on my Vikings and still loving them. Perfect for GTA driving. Nice pic there Happy Jappy, who is she?:hawt
Vikings is rated one of the top 4 best winter tires.
What rating is that? Who's in the top 4?
zoomzoom30
11-09-2007, 06:22 PM
zoomzoom30,
Remember that you get what you pay for. So eventho you are looking for the cheapest winter tires, you can't expect them to perform like Nokians.
I would go with Contacts 3 since you live in the Boonies. If you lived in the GTA, then go with the Vikings.
Are you saying I should go with a better tire? I think roads here in Bolton are cleaned fairly fast, but I've never been driving in the winter everyday....until this year.
Cosmo77
11-09-2007, 07:09 PM
To me you get what you pay for...I like Nokia's Kuhmo's Bridg's...not to crazy about the Mich line though.....but like you all say these are all alot of $$$ Of all these I would go for the kuhmo kw17's...best all round snow and ice tire...and fairly good wear on dry pavment.
Other ecomomy brands that I like are...SAVA's, Vikings, tiger paws, cooper weather masters....These are also really good tires...just depends on your expectations and the amount of snow you encounter
Cosmo
garboui
11-09-2007, 07:23 PM
3rd season on my Vikings and still loving them. Perfect for GTA driving. Nice pic there Happy Jappy, who is she?:hawt
+1
...and what is her number?
Nordics are about $310 (tax inc) + rims + balancing, while snowtech are 530 (rims, tax, balancing, and mounting inc) and contacts are 620 (rims, tax, balancing, and mounting inc).
Of these three tires, which are the best for icey/snowy conditions though?
I'd still get the Contact's and see if I could find some used rims for cheap (scrap yards or classifieds).
What rating is that? Who's in the top 4?
I think by Consumer Reports but it was because of the cheap price as mentioned by RedRaptor.
To me you get what you pay for...I like Nokia's Kuhmo's Bridg's...not to crazy about the Mich line though.....but like you all say these are all alot of $$$ Of all these I would go for the kuhmo kw17's...best all round snow and ice tire...and fairly good wear on dry pavment.
Other ecomomy brands that I like are...SAVA's, Vikings, tiger paws, cooper weather masters....These are also really good tires...just depends on your expectations and the amount of snow you encounter
Cosmo
Nokia makes cell phones :chuckle Nokian's are tire makers.
I have have Ice Bear W300's and they are great for the GTA as most roads get cleared fast or don't accumulate at all due to traffic. These tires drive and feel even better than the stock Eagle's that come with the 3 (not that they are all that great to begin with but driving is so much better with the W300's).
Luxury_Tax
11-15-2007, 07:57 PM
Hey everybody, newbie here. I picked up a set of Triangle Snow Lions. I'm a big fan of obscure winter tires. Hahaha. My last set were Sava Eskimo S3's. I lucked out and picked up the Triangles off of Kijiji. Somebody had just bought them a few weeks ago, but decided they were going to trade in their 3. The tires were barely even dirty. I paid $600 for the wheels and tires and the guy even threw in his receipt, just in case. It was funny, cause I had gone to a local tire shop earlier in the day, and they showed me a set. When I went online to see if I could find more info on them (cause I had never heard of them), I saw the kijiji add. The rest is history.
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