That very much depends on the tire you choose. Sidewalls are not created equal, just like tread patterns aren't.
And the trade-of is usually handling. Tighter/harder sidewall= better handling. Softer sidewall=reduced handling.

Of course I'm generalizing here, which I knowis ALWAYS be a dangerous thing to do.

 

LOL
I ment when I say better ride I mean better handling...
Do you really think the 215's would be noticablely less effective
in the winter compared to the 205?

I know in good weather driving there should be a pretty good differnce between 215/45 and 205/50 right??

 

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Nah. I doubt it. 10mm is not really that much when it comes to tread width, but the choice of tire company, model and compound can make all the difference...and it's usually boils down topersonal experimentation from my experience.
I have done plenty of research on tires and what works for one driver on one car doesn't always work for others driving a different car.
One person may like the ride, but the not the handling. Another doesn't like how noisya tire is, etc....
Consumer reviews can be helpful, but not Gospel. Consumer Reports can be helpful, but not Gospel either.The Tire Rack has good information but can be confusing to put together.

It's all a compromise and in the end you have to decide for yourself what's important to yourconditions and style of driving.
Like the old saying goes, "Ya' pays your money and ya' takes your chances."


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i got toyo proxes in my basement attached to my 15" 5 spoke rims. and right now i got the "blah" winter rims with steelies. they are called hercules avalanche snow tires. cost me 600 but well worth it.

 

I went from Kumho Ecsta ASX ,When it was time to replace ...I went with Toyo Proxes-4 and I love them. Better Traction on Dry, and the Toyo's are way better in wet. I havent tried them in snow but I am sure very marginal but will do. They are very Quite. I have standard Size 195/50 R16 88W. Load is better and W speed rated. Set of 4 cost me 440 delivered. Nitrogen filled for lower temp. and less moisture from the O2 in compressed air.Plus tire pressure is better as Nitrogen molocules are larger that Air so you can lose 2 psi a month through sidewalls. My 2 cents. Steve 2003 Protege 5

 

I'm having a very difficult time believing the hype surrounding the Nitrogen in the tires thing. The fact is that your tires will get exactly as hot regardless of what they're filled with, and your tire pressure loss won't change much either. Why? The purest nitrogen mixture you can get into your tires is no more than about 90-92%, however, good old "air" is already 78% nitrogen.

If you use "air" to fill your tires, and assuming that the oxygen leaks out faster over time than does the nitrogen, then over said period of time the nitrogen percentage of the gas in your tires will gradually rise well up into the 85-90% range. Long story short, paying someone to put nitrogen in your tires is a waste of money when you can do nearly as well for free.

 

My post for my tire choice was just my preferance, And it works well for my lightly modified 2003 Protege 5. Which is only Injen Cold Air Intake,Iridium Plugs,Nology Wires,Header,Perrin Exhaust,Short throw Cartboy shifter,The Nitrogen was free and Race Cars,Airplanes, have been using it for years. The water molocules in compressed air cause oxidation to tires they cause them to wear out prematurely, include valve stems, also Compressed air molocules are smaller than nitrogen molocules so air leaks out through the side walls at up to 2 psi a month ,Properly inflated tires last longer and get better gas milage ..I get 32 City and Highway combined.,(If you are a true Car Geek and check your tires and fill them no biggy,I do not mess with my car ,I never check air pressure it only gets checked when I change the Mobil 1 Synthetic Oil every 3000 Miles). I go to School full time and work at a Casino No time .Highly Modified cars would probley want a better tire than this but for $440 dollers these are Great for me. Walmart and Sams want Over $700 Dollers for any tire in the stock 195/50 R16 size for the 2003 Mazda Protege 5. Thanks for the feedback,Steve

 

I usually buy the Falken FK452's. They do an excellent job in the snow and rain up here in Boston, MA. And they take a heck of a beating. Some folks complain that there a bit loud, but they work great for me. I'm too busy blasting music anyway.

 

I have the Kumho Ecsta ASX tires and I like them. It was a toss up between them and the Pole Position tires...

 

I couldn't agree more. The only reason my other two original GY's are still on the car at 28K is because they're rotated to the back. I have Hancooks on the front now and they seem to be holding up fine even after a year. Barely any tread is gone and I tend to drive on the faster side on windy back roads. I will rotate these Hancooks to the back within the next couple of months to rid of that Good Year garbage that haunts my car. Then i'll have Hancooks on all 4. Bottom line

Good Year = Garbage.