Mazda3 Tires

[bill25]

So, the front tires are pretty much done. I started looking into replacements, and am seeing how terrible my current tires are. I know it is better to have all 4 match, but the rear are fine so I would really rather not do them this time around.

I have:
Goodyear Assurance All-Season - $87 each
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.js ... =i%20Sport
Stats:
Size: 195/65R15
Serv. Desc: 91T
UTQG: 600 A B

Looking at:
Continental TrueContact Tour - Size: 195/65R15 - $94
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.js ... =i%20Sport
Stats:
Size: 195/65R15,
Eco: EcoPlus+Technology,
Serv. Desc: 91H ,
UTQG: 800 A A

I might just do these then replace the rear with these when it is time.

[kevm14]

That sounds like a low performance tire class. Given your Bilstein shock upgrade wouldn't you want to run higher performance tires?

[bill25]

I am looking for something that doesn't totally suck for a winter beater. So, needs to be good in snow/ice, but I don't want an all out snow tire as it will be used year round.

[kevm14]

This is the best of Grand Touring All Season.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.js ... =i%20Sport

The Contis are confusing. They have an H and T rated and while they are different tires, they have the same price and Tirerack seems to combine the reviews for them. So there is no clear way to distinguish between them. Since the tread pattern appears to be identical, I'd say that the T rated is going to be a little softer, leading to a little less handling response and high speed capability, in trade for a little better winter performance. I would say that is a step too far because this is a pretty low performance tire class, so I'd compare the Conti H rated against the H rated Yoko.

Those Goodyears sound terrible.

[kevm14]

Here is what Tirerack says about Standard Touring All Season

You want all-season versatility (including light snow traction) along with enhanced handling and treadwear, as well as good noise and ride comfort.
Branded with the M+S symbol and capable of providing year-round traction (even in light snow), these tires are designed to blend a performance tire's appearance with a passenger tire's smooth, quiet ride. Standard Touring tires are typically available in the lower speed ratings and higher aspect ratio sizes and place more emphasis on ride comfort and treadwear than Grand Touring tires.

And the rankings of Standard Touring All Seasons, showing the Conti Touring on top:
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyre ... ar=i+Sport

And Grand Touring All Season

You want all-season versatility (including light snow traction) and responsive handling along with noise and ride comfort.
Branded with the M+S symbol and capable of providing year-round traction (even in light snow), these tires are designed to blend a performance tire's appearance with a passenger tire's smooth, quiet ride. Grand Touring All-Season tires are often used as Original Equipment and place more emphasis on handling and high-speed capabilities than Standard Touring tires.

And the rankings of Grand Touring All Season, showing this Yoko on top:
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyre ... ar=i+Sport

Remember there are 3 levels of all season performance category above Grand Touring All Season so it is still quite modest in the performance department.

That Yokohama actually outscores the Continental FWIW.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.js ... =i%20Sport