Mazda 3 Snow Performance!

General Car Related Discussion
rbomgaars

Mazda 3 Snow Performance!

Postby rbomgaars » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:14

Hi Everyone!

I am new to this forum thing & the Mazda club. I do not own a Mazda yet, but I am considering buying an 08 Mazda 3 i sport this weekend. I have heard on & off that they do horribly in the snow! I do a lot of snowboarding in the winter time & don't want to get stranded. Is this one of those cars that will do ok if I have great all season tires on it? Previously, I owned an 02 Saturn SC2 & it did fine w/ nice all season tires on it & had no problems getting to the mountains in the winter. Any help you guys can give me would be great!

Thanks!

User avatar
RX-7 Chris
Posts: 7800
Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:14
Location: Colorado Springs
Contact:

Postby RX-7 Chris » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:14

Welcome

it shouls be about the same as the sc2. the speed3's are the ones with the problems in the snow because of the turbo kicking in.
1984 RX-7 GSL-SE [size=84]My restomod project[/SIZE]


1964 Ford Galaxie 500XL flat black w/ white interior, 2 dr fastback, 390 thunderbird, C6 auto, 2500 rpm high stall converter, shift kit, AC, Holley 750 cfm

[size=100]RIP 1983 RX-7[/SIZE]

My Car Blog

rbomgaars

Postby rbomgaars » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:14

Thanks for the help! I figure that most front wheel cars will perform about the same as long as they have good tires on them and are driven cautiously.

User avatar
tsx_guy
Senior Member
Posts: 7438
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:14
Contact:

Postby tsx_guy » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:14

tires are key as the ones from the factory blow.
"20<cut off="">"</cut>

User avatar
RedRoadster
Posts: 641
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:14
Location: Colorado Springs
Contact:

Postby RedRoadster » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:14

stock tires are SUMMERs.. definite no no in the white stuff.
95 Classic Red Miata - 'Kona'
Racing Beat Sways, AEM WB O2 sensor, ACT clutch, Ground Control Springs, Bilstein HDs, Fat Cat bumpstops, 95 stock 14s (winter) or 99 sport 15s (summer)
Flyin' Miata stuff:
FM II Link GT2560R turbo, Butterfly brace, N/A dual exhaust, Oil filter relo kit, Rear shock mounts

08 Sunlight Silver Mazda 3s GT Sedan - 'Tuna'
OEM Wing spoiler, Sirius and Media switcher

05 Onyx Black Mazda 6i Hatchback - 'Smokey'

User avatar
Bertha
Senior Member
Posts: 511
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2007 9:14
Location: Parker, CO

Postby Bertha » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:14

my MS3 was fine in the snow once I siwtched to snow tyres and shifted before boost really kicked in.
Image

rbomgaars

Postby rbomgaars » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:14

My last car had top of the line all season tires on it (the sc2) & like I said, it did just fine. Can I put similar top of the line all season tires on the 08 Mazda3i Sport & be ok or do I HAVE to get snow tires to survive the winter?

User avatar
Colombia28
Posts: 4216
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:14
Location: Lone Tree
Contact:

Postby Colombia28 » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:14

Welcome to the club!

I had an '06 3 hatch before i got my speed and let me tell you, the stock tires that come on any 3 will not do you any good in snow. They may be labeled as an "all season" tire, but they really cant help you at all in snow. A true all season may work, but a winter tire would be best. The speed comes standard with summer only performance tires, so last year i picked up a set of winter only tires and i was extremely impressed with its snow "performance" I frequent the mountains a lot myself and a 3 can definitely handle the snow if you have the right tires.

If the top of the line all season's worked on your old car, then they should also work on your 3. Just drive smart and you should be fine.
Image
2008 Cosmic Blue Speed3 - NEW :D
2006 Copper Red Mica 3 hatch - SOLD :(
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

rbomgaars

Postby rbomgaars » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:14

You guys are the best! I love this club! It's nice to see how everyone takes care of one another.

User avatar
Colombia28
Posts: 4216
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:14
Location: Lone Tree
Contact:

Postby Colombia28 » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:14

rbomgaars wrote:You guys are the best! I love this club! It's nice to see how everyone takes care of one another.

Glad we could help! :)

What dealer are you looking at to pick up a 3?
Image
2008 Cosmic Blue Speed3 - NEW :D
2006 Copper Red Mica 3 hatch - SOLD :(
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

rbomgaars

Postby rbomgaars » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:14

I have some hookups at Davidson's in Loveland so once I find the one that I want I am going to send my guy from Davidson's to get the car. Anyone have good or bad experiences w/ Champion Mazda at Iron Mountain? I've read some bad reviews about them, but generally, people who are upset always yell the loudest too.

User avatar
Colombia28
Posts: 4216
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:14
Location: Lone Tree
Contact:

Postby Colombia28 » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:14

rbomgaars wrote:I have some hookups at Davidson's in Loveland so once I find the one that I want I am going to send my guy from Davidson's to get the car. Anyone have good or bad experiences w/ Champion Mazda at Iron Mountain? I've read some bad reviews about them, but generally, people who are upset always yell the loudest too.

^So true!

I have never heard anything bad, or good about them. Never really even heard of them... lol. Being down south here i don't think about the mountain dealers much. But i'm sure they are good and will take care of you. If not they will have CMZC breathing down their throats. No dealer wants bad PR and we can sure dish it out ;)
Image
2008 Cosmic Blue Speed3 - NEW :D
2006 Copper Red Mica 3 hatch - SOLD :(
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

SpeedRacer
Posts: 5030
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:14
Location: Aurora
Contact:

Postby SpeedRacer » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:14

If you want we have a few hookups as well with Sill ter-har and Burt Mazda as well as Lakewood Mazda now if you want to keep your options open...
Heavy duty adjustable dog leashes
http://www.TitanTuff.com

rbomgaars

Postby rbomgaars » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:14

Thanks! I am headed to Davidson's this weekend to see what they can work up for me. If I am not satisfied, I will certainly consider those other hookups! I think it is prime time for buying right now with the market the way it is. Thanks again everyone!

SpeedRacer
Posts: 5030
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:14
Location: Aurora
Contact:

Postby SpeedRacer » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:14

What colors ya lookin at?

Also have a website for them?
Heavy duty adjustable dog leashes

http://www.TitanTuff.com


Return to “Car Chat”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Baidu [Spider] and 63 guests