It's kinda hard to make that comparison when using an AWD vs FWD car, unless I am missing something. I would have expected that the Blizzaks would have the advantage over the X-Ices in getting going in snow.
I too would go with the X-Ice's on an AWD car if cost was equal, but in my experience the WS-80's are a good bit cheaper.
Absolutely - I typed that, but looks like I edited that part out. Oops. Yeah, the Forester's a Forester. No
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it's going to be better in the winter than a Mazda3.
FWIW, both the Fozzie's and Mazda's winter rims are 16" (with the Mazdas being slightly narrower (205/55R16 vs 225/60R16) and with a shorter sidewall). Their pricing was very similar:
Xi3s installed, with tax: $754.34 (KalTire) (got the $70 rebate back in Dec, so $684.34 total)
WS80s installed, with tax: $681.58 (this included the $70 instant rebate from Costco).
They were within $3 of each other.