[Oxy_Gen]

My 2005 Mazda 3s already has 25k miles and I need new tires...I'm not too sure to go with which though


I'd like to keep the budget under $500, keeping the stock rims, don't need special winter tires since I'm in SoCal and it never snows or rains here. Suggestions?



Also, how does ordering tires online work? Do they ship it to me or could I have a tire installation store order them for me? Would they charge me extra?

 

[the415]

the pilot sports are too expensive and you wouldn't get the full use out of them

the pilot sport is an all season tire. BORING!

the kdw's are a great tire but again, a bit pricey. you can get a cheaper tire that is still very good for a daily driver that delivers great performance

the mxm4 is another all season tire. again, BORING!! too pricey

if you dont need to use your gift card, i would look elsewhere for tires. you can find more tires at better prices at discount tire.

look at the kumho ecsta spt. great tire for a great price. im really happy with mine.
also check out the cooper zeon zpt and bf goodrich g-force sport.

if you want to kick it up a notch, get a 215/45/17 tire. handles better with the wider width and slightly stiffer sidewall. tire prices are a bit cheaper too as it's a more common size than 205/50/17.

 

[j-so]

All good selections. I've also heard good things about Fuzion ZRIs but I plan on going with Dunlop Dirrezza DZ101s myself. I'm currently running Kumho MXs, which are great, but not in standing water.

I've bought most of my tires in the past few years online, from Tire Rack, and have never had a complaint about them.

 

[HouRman]

I'd go with either BFgoodrich G-force or the Kumhos...

If I had money, I'd probably get Yokohama Advan Sports, Exalto Sports or Continental SportContact3s.

 

[ekimneems]

I know you're probably not looking for an all-season, but I just got to 27k miles on my 2005 5-door and replaced the crappy stock RS-As with Toyo Proxes 4s and I love them. Got them in 215/45/17... they're quiet as hell too which was a huge complaint I had with the RS-As. I hate road noise.

 

[zachismisitok]

i just bought some kumho ecsta spts and i cant complain so far. I got the 215/14/17 size

they cost like 85 a tire or something at tirerack + 35 shipped to my door. Mazda charged 60 to mount and balance (which I thought was ridiculous, but I drove all over getting quotes and they were the lowest)
g'luck

ps, I dont have any complaints about the tires so far, but i think im gonna run a higher pressure than i currently am

 

[j-so]

Yeah, from what I've read about the SPTs is that they have soft sidewalls. That's about the only thing I don't like about my Kumho MXs.

 

[nova]

Most asian brands have soft sidewalls. have you considered add a few more psi?
I used to run MX's on my MCoupe & they were amazing after adding a few lbs.
Improved wear also.

 

[travicon]

[quote author=zachismisitok link=topic=66408.msg1139958#msg1139958 date=1168316694]
i just bought some kumho ecsta spts and i cant complain so far. I got the 215/14/17 size

they cost like 85 a tire or something at tirerack + 35 shipped to my door. Mazda charged 60 to mount and balance (which I thought was ridiculous, but I drove all over getting quotes and they were the lowest)
g'luck

ps, I dont have any complaints about the tires so far, but i think im gonna run a higher pressure than i currently am
[/quote]

i had these as well, and i loved them. great tires!

 

[the415]

[quote author=NoVa link=topic=66408.msg1140639#msg1140639 date=1168364455]
Most asian brands have soft sidewalls. [/quote]

that's a very blanket statement.

 

[travicon]

[quote author=j-so link=topic=66408.msg1140589#msg1140589 date=1168361909]
Yeah, from what I've read about the SPTs is that they have soft sidewalls. That's about the only thing I don't like about my Kumho MXs.
[/quote]

you should see what my nitto neogens looke like after auto-x. talk about weak sidewalls

 

[j-so]

[quote author=NoVa link=topic=66408.msg1140639#msg1140639 date=1168364455]
Most asian brands have soft sidewalls. have you considered add a few more psi?
I used to run MX's on my MCoupe & they were amazing after adding a few lbs.
Improved wear also.
[/quote]
Yeah, I've upped the pressure a few psi, I still need to play with the pressure a little bit, though. These tires have maybe one or two more track events left in them

 

[nova]

[quote author=j-so link=topic=66408.msg1140895#msg1140895 date=1168370210]
[quote author=NoVa link=topic=66408.msg1140639#msg1140639 date=1168364455]
Most asian brands have soft sidewalls. have you considered add a few more psi?
I used to run MX's on my MCoupe & they were amazing after adding a few lbs.
Improved wear also.
[/quote]
Yeah, I've upped the pressure a few psi, I still need to play with the pressure a little bit, though. These tires have maybe one or two more track events left in them
[/quote]

Oh...autoX...tire killers. ha ha

 

[j-so]

[quote author=NoVa link=topic=66408.msg1141169#msg1141169 date=1168377630]
[quote author=j-so link=topic=66408.msg1140895#msg1140895 date=1168370210]
[quote author=NoVa link=topic=66408.msg1140639#msg1140639 date=1168364455]
Most asian brands have soft sidewalls. have you considered add a few more psi?
I used to run MX's on my MCoupe & they were amazing after adding a few lbs.
Improved wear also.
[/quote]
Yeah, I've upped the pressure a few psi, I still need to play with the pressure a little bit, though. These tires have maybe one or two more track events left in them
[/quote]

Oh...autoX...tire killers. ha ha
[/quote]
Nah, no autox for me. I do open track driving events with LSR Porsche Club or Driver's Edge.

 

[nova]

[quote author=j-so link=topic=66408.msg1142282#msg1142282 date=1168435230]
[quote author=NoVa link=topic=66408.msg1141169#msg1141169 date=1168377630]
[quote author=j-so link=topic=66408.msg1140895#msg1140895 date=1168370210]
[quote author=NoVa link=topic=66408.msg1140639#msg1140639 date=1168364455]
Most asian brands have soft sidewalls. have you considered add a few more psi?
I used to run MX's on my MCoupe & they were amazing after adding a few lbs.
Improved wear also.
[/quote]
Yeah, I've upped the pressure a few psi, I still need to play with the pressure a little bit, though. These tires have maybe one or two more track events left in them
[/quote]

Oh...autoX...tire killers. ha ha
[/quote]
Nah, no autox for me. I do open track driving events with LSR Porsche Club or Driver's Edge.
[/quote]

Sorry, misread. Still track events are tire & brake killers! ha

 

[ag bullet]

Probably one of your best bests for performance, quality and price is the BFG g-Force Sport. I run these in the summer on mine and love them. Great dry traction, decent wet and pretty quiet.

 

[j-so]

[quote author=NoVa link=topic=66408.msg1142308#msg1142308 date=1168436649]
[quote author=j-so link=topic=66408.msg1142282#msg1142282 date=1168435230]
[quote author=NoVa link=topic=66408.msg1141169#msg1141169 date=1168377630]
[quote author=j-so link=topic=66408.msg1140895#msg1140895 date=1168370210]
[quote author=NoVa link=topic=66408.msg1140639#msg1140639 date=1168364455]
Most asian brands have soft sidewalls. have you considered add a few more psi?
I used to run MX's on my MCoupe & they were amazing after adding a few lbs.
Improved wear also.
[/quote]
Yeah, I've upped the pressure a few psi, I still need to play with the pressure a little bit, though. These tires have maybe one or two more track events left in them
[/quote]

Oh...autoX...tire killers. ha ha
[/quote]
Nah, no autox for me. I do open track driving events with LSR Porsche Club or Driver's Edge.
[/quote]

Sorry, misread. Still track events are tire & brake killers! ha
[/quote]
That's cool, and yeah, you are right. My next upgrade will more than likely be better pads. I've already upgraded the fluid, not to mention wheels/tires.