Tires make more difference than anything. I too bought at used Mazda 3, and thought: "Oooh, this is dodgy in the rain . . ."
Then I got better tires (summers and winters) and realized: "Ohhh, I just had terrible tires."
I went with the G-Force Comp-2 A/S and paid something like $703 after installation, which also included a road hazard warranty. I found a really good deal and could have gotten some alternatives even cheaper, but the tire was the highest ranked in its category on TireRack. No regrets with the purchase, as these tires significantly outperform the Continental OEMs.
See also: reddit.com/r/mazda3 - they seem to recommend the Bridgestone Blizzaks.
Bridgestone blizzak ws80 or Michelin X-ice3.
Once you talk about ditching the crap Dunlops that come from the factory and adding a rear sway bar, you are talking big-time fun.
I am currently running a set of studdable (but not studded) General Altimax Arctic tires. They are phenomenal in the snow. A tad loud at 80+ on the highway in the dry, but very good overall in the wet/dry.
From what I have read these are great tires.
I have the V2 Concept2 all-seasons on my Mazda3 and the Ventus V12 Evo K120 summers on my Mustang. You really get what you pay for. The Concept2's have good ride and noise, but the wet performance is abysmal. The Ventus V12s are a decent performance tire but they greatly lack the dry grip of Pirelli P Zeros or Michelins.
Falken Ziex 512s ( I don't think they are available anymore) are the most trash tires I've had. Terrible grip, terrible life.
I have the same tires on the Mazda3 and their wet performance is sh*t IMO.
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