Mazda 3-GT-Snow Driving Question

Ok...Here's my question.....I'm looking at buying a 2007 Mazda 3 Sport GT and want to know what the Mazda 3 Sport GT is like to drive in winter weather. Does it handle well in snow? Being as it is rather a low profile vehicle, I'm curious to know what others have experienced or have to say. Also, do you think that snow tires are a 'nice-to'have' or 'need-to-have' scenario. I live 60 kms NW of Toronto but frequently drive up to Parry Sound. If you know this part of the world, the snow is not bad close to Toronto, but it can be horrendous north of Toronto.

I'm open to all opinions, experiences, suggestions.

Thanks!

I'd highly recommend snow tires for the winter. I've seen plenty of complaints of the stock tires doing horrible in snow. I run Toyo Proxes FZ4's year round and they do OK, but the performance of my wife's 6 with Dunlop Wintersport M3's is incredible in the snow.

i got some nokian winter tires on my 3 hatchback and they get me through the winter perfectly fine, plenty of traction

I'm in the same situation as you (going to be picking up my GT in the next week).

What size rims / tire combo are suggested for the 3GT?

You should have 17x6.5 rims with a 205/50R17 tire. You can use that same combination in snow tires.

Why wouldn't you downsize to something like a 195/60R16, or a 185/70R15?

If you have the s model, the smallest rim dia you can go to is 16" due to the bigger brakes. If you have an i model you can go down to a 15"

I didn't see a need to go down to a 15 or 16" wheel and by having 17" wheels it allows me to clean out any ice that has gotten in between the wheel and the brake caliper. The 17's work terrific.