Selling a 2009 Mazda 3, WTB Legacy GT

[cody]

I'll keep it mind, Scott. But I'm pretty sure that's way more wheel than she wants and I don't think it would help the "wandering on the freeway" issue.

I might be interested in the tires if they're 245/40.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by cody

I'll keep it mind, Scott. But I'm pretty sure that's way more wheel than she wants and I don't think it would help the "wandering on the freeway" issue.

I might be interested in the tires if they're 245/40.

I don't know that the wandering will be all that bad on those wheels if you get the proper tires. You can run a 235 Ziex on them, and as long as the toe is straight, they should be fine.

But I would like to sell them locally, just so I don't have to ship 'em, so let me know if you're interested and I'd be happy to try to work something out to sell 'em to you.

[cody]

Man, that would be so mean. If we get wheels like that, they'd be for summer only I'd think...

I guess a test drive on them wouldn't be a bad idea?

[tysonK]

just get coilovers, solid mounts, tubular a-arms and let her deal...ha

[cody]

Those guys on the Mazda 3 forum I found aren't so bad. One said his came from the factory with the same problem and it turned out to be a bad alignment. I'll have to get her alignment checked. But it's funny that they think the stock tires (215/50/17 IIRC) are "wide".

[Kevin M]

I thought Nina's car needed an alignment too, but it's been to Cory twice. Second time he had no room for adjustment, everything was in spec (except the steering wheel ). It's just the way they are.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Kevin M

I thought Nina's car needed an alignment too, but it's been to Cory twice. Second time he had no room for adjustment, everything was in spec (except the steering wheel ). It's just the way they are.

It may very well be that she's used to a sloppy handling car, and now that she's in something that's been equated to "god's own FWD car" she's unhappy w/ the actual feedback from the road.

[Kevin M]

She hasn't complained, it's me that's noticed it.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Kevin M

She hasn't complained, it's me that's noticed it.

Same difference. Mazda handling >>>>> Subaru handling.

[Kevin M]

I have to admit, if I wasn't such a sucker for driver-saving AWD, I'd go to FSP in one of those things in a heartbeat. It'd be a screamer on some nice coilovers and 245/40 Dunlops...

As it is I'll be running in it THS for a few events until the SM motor is ready for the wagon.

[cody]

It does corner and brake really well.

The stock tires are 205's.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...&filterType=oe

Fortunately, from the reveiws, they wear out quickly. What 4-season tires are you guys putting on your girlfirend/wive's cars up here?

[sperry]

Originally Posted by cody

It does corner and brake really well.

The stock tires are 205's.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...&filterType=oe

Fortunately, from the reveiws, they wear out quickly. What 4-season tires are you guys putting on your girlfirend/wive's cars up here?

Good question. Lisa's Pzero Neros are toast, and I'll be damned if I drop that much money on a set of all-seasons that only last about 18 months before wearing out.

I'm probably going to go with the Falken Ziex 912's you mentioned earlier for her car this spring unless there happens to be a comparable tire on sale for a bunch cheaper. Falkens have never disappointed me.

[Kevin M]

Originally Posted by cody

What 4-season tires are you guys putting on your girlfirend/wive's cars up here?

No way I turn my wife loose in a FWD car in our area without snows in the winter. And it's made the difference with a couple of these storms. In the summer she daily drives the Bridgestones, but if she wasn't autocrossing it would still be the half-decent Avon all seasons the Lexus dealer put on when they reconditioned it. As a side note, I highly recommend checking them out for anybody looking for a recent model used car. As far as I can tell, every single possible maintenance item save the timing belt was replaced. Tires, pads, rotors, oil/filter, air filter, fuel filter, plugs, coolant. Everything.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Kevin M

No way I turn my wife loose in a FWD car in our area without snows in the winter. And it's made the difference with a couple of these storms. In the summer she daily drives the Bridgestones, but if she wasn't autocrossing it would still be the half-decent Avon all seasons the Lexus dealer put on when they reconditioned it. As a side note, I highly recommend checking them out for anybody looking for a recent model used car. As far as I can tell, every single possible maintenance item save the timing belt was replaced. Tires, pads, rotors, oil/filter, air filter, fuel filter, plugs, coolant. Everything.

I guess I failed to mention that Lisa's got snow tires on the car for the winter *and* I plan on putting performance all-season on the car for the rest of the year.

[Kevin M]

I thought it was weird of you not to be a tire snob too.

[cody]

Yah, we swap cars when it snows. I enjoy the challenge of driving on her All Seasons.

But seriously, I'm thinking of grabbing her a set of Continental ExtremeContact DWS. You get a free TomTom if you buy them this month. But I think we should try the alignment first.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Kevin M

I thought it was weird of you not to be a tire snob too.

Who me?

Lisa wants the snows in winter for sure, if only just for piece of mind. But I have to drive that car on road trips... so Lisa probably doesn't care too much about the summer tires, but I want some decent tires under the car. I also don't want to be swapping to the snows in the spring/fall if we happen to have to go over the pass when there's a threat of snow.

Which is why I just finished placing an order for some ZE-912's w/ Discount Tire Direct. I wish TireRack had Falkens, but the closest thing they had were Kuhmo Ecsta ASTs for just a little cheaper than the Falkens, but the Falkens are much better tires, plus no tax and free shipping from Discount.

[Kevin M]

Originally Posted by cody

Yah, we swap cars when it snows. I enjoy the challenge of driving on her All Seasons.

But seriously, I'm thinking of grabbing her a set of Continental ExtremeContact DWS. You get a free TomTom if you buy them this month. But I think we should try the alignment first.

I've never heard anybody say anything good about any continentals. And getting a TomTom is a silly reason to choose tires. Go with the Falkens or the Kumhos Scott just mentioned.

[cody]

I'll definitely put some more research into it before choosing a tire, but this test makes them sound awesome.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=124

And it's first in it's class in reviews:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...Clar=s+Touring

[Nick Koan]

The guys at LegacyGT.com seem to always recommend Continental tires. In all honesty, I don't put much weight into the user reviews there, but the unbiased reviews are making them look like a better choice than they used to be.

[Kevin M]

Interesting. I wonder if the dry performance really holds up against the others, but sounds like the snow traction is pretty badass for a UHP-AS tire.