Author Topic: 2002 Protege Winter Tire Choice (Read 3349 times)

shoehorn · « **on:** November 19, 2004, 05:34:05 pm »

I am looking for winter tires for my 2002 Mazda Protege. I'm down to 2 choices: Nokian WR or Pirelli Winter Carving. My driving consists of a 40 km one-way daily commute from Toronto to Brampton plus 2 or 3 trips to Nova Scotia per year. Safety is my primary concern; however, my question is: will the WR handle the weather conditions I am likely to see well enough that I could go with it and take advantage of its better wear characteristics (which may be important given my long highway commute)? Or should I go for the "pure" winter tire? Help!

(Message edited by shoehorn on November 19, 2004)

RayT · « **Reply #1 on:** November 19, 2004, 06:39:03 pm »

barely adequate: all-seasons
usable in winter: WR's
best: winter.

As you move up to winter tires, you will get better traction in pure winter conditions.

If safety is a primary concern, then the answer is easy....real winter tires. Especially if you are trying to the east coast...it's nearly a no brainer.

Of course, winter tires won't last as long, but you did say safety is primary. So even if a good set of winter tires only last half as long, it's an extra $600-$800 every three years instead of every six years.

lawgman · « **Reply #2 on:** November 20, 2004, 01:29:30 am »

Shoehorn,
Wintercarvings +steelies are available at Gyro Mazda in Toronto for the cheapest price around. ($720+tax for a package that included my 16 inch Mazda 3 winter tires, steelies and installation. Depnding on your version of the protege, it could be even less)

shoehorn · « **Reply #3 on:** November 20, 2004, 01:51:18 pm »

Thanks Lawgman...called Gyro and they have wintercarvings for almost $150 cheaper than the WRs I'm looking at.

shoehorn · « **Reply #4 on:** November 24, 2004, 09:44:28 pm »

Despite the big savings I can get with the Wintercarvings, I'm still not convinced. Longer wear can make up the savings really quick. Any last comments on WR vs. Wintercarving given my driving patterns described above? I'm getting them put on this weekend...

jam · « **Reply #5 on:** November 25, 2004, 12:38:35 pm »

I don't know anything about Wintercarvings, but I put H-rated Wr's on my RSX two weeks ago, and they are amazing. I wanted good handling and decent grip, and they are awesome.

I have Hakka 1's on my 2002 P5 also, and they are excellent too.

buki12345 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 26, 2004, 04:48:08 pm »

Can you tell me what price you got for Nokian WR and where (Toronto and area)?

I'm thinking of bying them for my 2000 Mazda Protege, 185/65/14.

Thanks,
Buki

maw · « **Reply #7 on:** November 30, 2004, 11:25:09 am »

I'd love to hear where you buy, the price and how you find the WR's. I didn't think they came in a sizing that would fit my protege (195-50-16)? Although I read the review posted at Canadiandriver, I'd also like to know any impressions on their summer handling as I'd like to keep them on all year.

Mississauga

(Message edited by maw on November 30, 2004)

jam · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2004, 10:55:36 pm »

WR's come in 185/65/14, but I don't think they are available in 195/50/16.
I have WR's on my RSX (205/55/16) and Hakka 1's on the P5 (-1 size - 195/55/15)
I also had NRW's (WR predecessor - 185/60/14) on a Civic SI.
I got the WR's, NRW's at Nantucket Tire in Scarborough, Hakka 1's at Wheels Direct in Scarborough.

The Hakka's are amazing in snow, but the -1 sizing provides a compromise in handling - squirmy, but predictable.($720 wheels + tires all in - in 2001)

I've had the Wr's in some warm and cold weather, only a (very) little snow and slick roads. So far, they are amazing. Handling is great. They grip better than the stock $200 Michelin AS's. I am sold. ($1006 wheels + tires all in)

I had the NRW's in snow and ice and all summer. They were very good (not quite as good as the Hakka 1's) in snow. The tread wear was faster than AS's in summer, and handling was not as good, but maybe a decent compromise.

If you plan to keep the car for at least a few years, I strongly recommend two sets of tires on seperate wheels. The extra money for the 2nd set will be recovered by not replacing the 1st set as soon. The only extra money spent is on the extra wheels. My steelies (OEM) were $52/ea. Money well spent.

adamprat · « **Reply #9 on:** December 02, 2004, 01:13:57 pm »

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have a 2002 protege 5 with stock 195/50/16's.
i am looking into getting some basic safe winter tires with steel rims to manage the winter upstate NY. The tire rack offers a winter pkg of 15x6 inch rims for the mazda with 195/55/15's- blizzak ws-50's.does this sound like it will work. going with the 15 inchers?and these tires?
another option is to stick with a steel 16x6 set and get dunlop graspic DS-2's. The 15 inch wheels appeal b/c there is more variety in this size range than for the stock mazda size.
any thoughts and comments would be much appreciated.

morty · « **Reply #10 on:** December 03, 2004, 02:56:08 am »

Going with 15" and WS50's will definitely work. Will be cheaper than the 16" option and will offer you as good or better winter performance as the DS2.

TireTrends - Get ready for winter!

adamprat · « **Reply #11 on:** December 07, 2004, 12:04:45 am »

Morty -thanks for the reply!!
yer awesome

ok I'm setting my sights onthe 15 inch steelies for my mazda. but am having second thoughts about the ws 50 blizzaks. I'm doing about 70 miles a day on the city/ hwy with commuting to westchester- from brooklyn.Westcheser is moderately hilly terrain but paved. this means i will be living with the tires on a bit of dry and wet along with some snowy 6 am commutes. I heard about the michelin pilot alpin PA 2's for 103$ each and they sound comparable to the more exp LM 22 blizzaks $116. Any reason not to go with the michelins, aside from the slightly lower snow rating-according to tirereack's reviews. I guess I can deal with the ?small? tade-off of snow capability for the added wet traction and better noise control and treadwear. whaddya think about the two tires? given my mix of driving areas. price isnt really that much different after all.

morty · « **Reply #12 on:** December 07, 2004, 03:40:55 am »

Thanks for the cudos..you cant see it, but I am blushing.

I honestly think both tires are very good and there isnt really a huge price difference. If the difference in price and slightly different performance attributes warrant it go with the PA2s. If the reviews sway you towards the Blizzaks then I would say the small price difference is worth it.

Let us know what you decide and give us a report on your real world experience.

TireTrends - Get ready for winter!

multipath · « **Reply #13 on:** December 07, 2004, 12:42:18 pm »

Adamprat, some have done it, despite many who claim it cannot be done, but the Protege5 can take a 14" 5-bolt wheel, there is enough caliper clearance. It is a minus 2 sizing compared to stock, but then base model Protege sedans came with the 14"s.

If it appeals to you, the size then would be 185/65R14. The caveat is with the 15" or 14" 5-bolt steelies, I don't think you'd be able to find hubcentric, but then I'm doing just fine with non-hubcentric Honda steelies for the snows on my Protege, with no vibration problems whatsoever.

adamprat · « **Reply #14 on:** December 24, 2004, 05:58:21 pm »

Ok guys, So I got my set of michelin pilot alpin pa2 snow tires from tire rack. been about 200 miles and they are still slick with the mold release lube thing- veery slickery so far, but from what I hear it will be about 500 miles for the tires to get broken in.
so here's the question- the tires come with a little arrow type directional looking emblum on the sidewall. it doesnt actually say tire roation direction 'this way'. but it does seem to imply this- of course, i noticed this after- i had installed them. do y'all know if these types of tires are direction specific?
hope yer having a happy xmas eve!!
these tires are for my 02 protege.
Next I'm gonna be looking for some tires for my 71 buick! after the snow...