I have a 2006 Mazda 5 GT with 68K kms on the original Toyo Proxes 205/50R17 tires....shocking that I still have these tires, but true.

I am looking for the best high performance, low profile tire out there that's cost effective and will improve the ride, stability and have some life expectancy to them. I have been googling and I've read that the General Exclaim UHP ($118.99 @ Canadian Tire) are excellent replacement candidates but does anyone have any other suggestions/feedback/experiences to share?

All info is greatly appreciated!

 

I put a set of four 205/50 R17 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires on my Mazda3 for $120 each, and they've been unstoppable this winter in spite of the fact that we've already had three meters of snow this season. On dry pavement they exhibit amazing grip for an all-season tire, are considerably quieter than the Goodyear Eagle RS-As that came on my car, and are very precise when it comes to steering. The only problem you might have with them is that they're probably no longer available for the price that I paid (I got mine during a "closeout" sale), and are probably more like $160.

With the above said, when I was shopping for my tires, my short list also included the following:

• Dunlop SP Sport Signature (about $110 per, these were a very close second)
• Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum (about $120 per, these had the best treadlife numbers of any tire I looked at)
• Yokohama ADVAN S.4. (about $150 per, I happen to like Yokohama tires)
• Bridgestone Potenza G 019 Grid (about $120 per, I'm not a fan of Bridgestone, however, these get pretty good reviews)

At the time, the Michelins were the best bang for the buck (due to the closeout sale), and that's what I opted for. Will I stay with them when the time comes? Don't know, however, if they continue to perform as well as they have so far, and if they last at least 45,000 miles with no cupping and noise related issues, it will have to be a really good tire and/or deal to get me to make a change.

Edit: I forgot to mention that the General Exclaim UHP tires are well known to be diabolically horrible on roads that are near or below freezing temperatures, and life-threateningly dangerous if there is any ice or snow on the roads.

 

I went with the Falken 205/50R17 tire.
Special order at Just Tires - one day wait.
Consumers Report said it is a good - low cost tire.
It comes from south asia - not indiana
It is doing fine this winter.
Seems to have a better grip and is quieter than the Toyo.
But, my M5 Sport is still too powerful for it's own good.
Both kinds of tire dance, if you step into it on wet pavement.

 

How large a tire can I put under my 2006 MX5? I've got 225/40/17 right now and I'd like to go larger. These ones fit just fine. They are Nitto NT555 Extremes and they are just as good as the Goodyear Eagle F1's I had on before, wet or dry.

 

2006 MX5 Gran Touring 225/40/17 Nitto NT555 Extreme How large can I go on this car. I'd like to put on 245/30/17. Is that possible?
Barry