I used to think like you a long time ago .... about the fronts needing the grip ..... but then those in the rear will make ya fish tail in a curve .... best go with 4 , same size

My Nokians stood up very well to three inches of snow so far (and by the way canuckistan , for the cell phone it's not Nokian but Nokia lol)

 

I have taken the Blizzaks out of consideration because of treadwear issue and am now down to the Hakka's and the X-Ice. We had some snow here this weekend and my stocks did okay but I have no desire to ride them when the real snow hits in a few weeks. Headed to the tire dealer tomorrow so I guess it is decision time. And sorry to take issue with you but Nokian Tire was a division of Nokia (located in Nokia, Finland no less) until last year when it sold its majority stake to Bridgestone (same company that makes the Blizzaks ... interesting).

 

only running two tires can be pretty dangerous on top of it all. Especially with your car's traction control system. You're right it is an expensive venture but it does make a huge difference.

 

Interesting

as for the X-Ice , the guy who installs Michelins on our 10 wheelers at work is of the same opinion as I am .... stay away from them ! Their thread depth is less than competition , their thread blocks are closely bound (bad for snow evacuation and bite) . These are made for ice more than snow ..... and on top there is no data available on them yet .... still remain to be proven

If you don't mind wobbly side to side ; the Yokohamas have interesting technologies incorporated in 'em + they are rallye raced (IG10 Ice Guards) ... check them out at your retailer their speed is Q

When I was pondering which tire to chose , these came on my list ; Toyo Garrit HT (H speed) , Dunlop Winter Sport M3 , and the Nokians at V speed

Check out www.1010tires.com for reviews by owners and links to manufacturers

Let us know what you went with ....

 

I've got 205/50R17 Dunlop Winter Sport M3's on the stock 17x7 wheels (Mazda6 Wagon) and they were incredible in the snow this weekend. 40 mph winds and 6" of snow/ice patches and the car never wavered. It cut through the slush piles between lanes like they weren't even there. I highly recommend them.

 

do you guys think it is a wise move for me to get those nokian wr's? Pennsylvania has its bad days in teh snow as well as ice, but then there are also those days when you have dry/wet roads.

 

I don't know about the Nokians, but the Dunlops have a great ride, and seem better in the dry than the stock Michelins. After feeling the difference this weekend, I don't think I'll ever drive a car in winter without snow tires.

 

My decision was pretty much made for me. Very few X-Ice left in Toronto and pretty much no Nokians. There is a chance I get some sent from Montreal (how ironic), but my local garage does seem to have one set of Michelins so I thin I will grab them. Before I put these on is there any issue anyone knows about putting the 16" on my hatchback which comes with 17" stock?
As for getting the Hakka's for Pennsylvania, I can't think of a more perfect tire for those conditions, it will feel you are running on a warm summer day all year round.

 

Ya they seem to get good reviews on www.1010tires.com unlike the others .... what stopped me from getting them was availabilty ... they are back order in Canada .... if you could post pics of the tire thread ; I'd like to see how they compare to my Nokian WR's and see what I'm missing
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Ya those Nokian Hakkapelitta's aren't they something , and like sslaure mentioned ; my WR's seem better than the Michelin Pilot originals also . It is kind of late for shopping winters ; stocks are low by now . Not sure if you meant Nokians you'll get from Mtl. ... if so I would go with those ... after all you do praise 'em yourself and I do approve strongly for they work awesomely in all conditions ( Consumer Reports were reporting on what Nokian model - the WR's ?) As far as putting on 16 inchers ; do make sure about your diameter is closest to stock 17 inch - diameter . The 215 50 17 diameter is 25.5 (from bottom tire to top of it) the dealer was offering 205 60 16 but I don't know the diameter https://www.mazdaforum.com/m_6531/tm.htm