Now I've done it!

[01bonneSC]

Id sit the car down on some 4x4s to get the wheel to come to proper ride height, then measure. Full droop is diff than sitting on the ground for lock to lock.

[Ghosthawk]

(I just might take a little flak for this, but here goes)

IMO, "cheaping out" would be going with used tires, because I've bought Fuzion, Cooper, Riken, and other such "in-house" brand names and in all honesty I've yet to get a bum tire, I've never had a blowout, sidewall bubble, shifted belt or simply wouldnt run smooth at highway speed. When I put my first set of Kumhos on my GP they were virtually unknown (in the US) but anytime I get 40k miles from I tire I figure I'm doing pretty well.

I've seen co-workers of mine fork over $800-$1k for a set of big brand name meats, and some get 50-60k miles from a set, but when they have spent twice what I paid that extra 10k hardly seems worth it.

From my career in manufacturing, I know we make similar products virtually side by side, and while there are some small variations, the higher dollar plastics we make are only worth it for specific applications.

If I autocrossed my car or regularly took it to the dragstrip,or if I lived in an area where weather conditions were extreme, then maybe a more specialized tire would be called for, but so far I've gotten very good service from tires that didnt cost $200+ apiece.

Ive done some more research and Milestar is widespread in the trailer/RV realm. Their business in car/light truck tires is mostly west coast regional (if the sources I read are reliable) I'm also considering a set of Falken Ziex, but whatever I choose has to have a UTQG of 300 or above. I made that mistake once, and while the softer compound is good for handling and wet conditions, they wear out FAST.

[swampthing]

Just remember, these cars are pickier with their tires then most...

[wake]

especially the 00+s

the weels look great!

Id sit the car down on some 4x4s to get the wheel to come to proper ride height, then measure. Full droop is diff than sitting on the ground for lock to lock.

not half bad advice right here!

[00Beast]

Ive done some more research and Milestar is widespread in the trailer/RV realm. Their business in car/light truck tires is mostly west coast regional (if the sources I read are reliable) I'm also considering a set of Falken Ziex, but whatever I choose has to have a UTQG of 300 or above. I made that mistake once, and while the softer compound is good for handling and wet conditions, they wear out FAST.

Um, think more like 500+. Anything in the 300-400 range is still pretty soft.

Stay away from Goodyear's passenger car tires. None of us on this forum have had good luck with them.

For your climate the Yokohama Avid ENVigor (currently on my car) might not be a bad choice. It's a solid 3 season tire that does decent in light snow, and Tire Rack has them priced fairly reasonably for 235/50R18. However, whatever you get you NEED to rotate them every 6-8k and have your alignment spot-on, or they'll be gone before you can bat an eyelash.

[Ghosthawk]

I bit the bullet today and ordered a set of tires. I settled on a set of these...

Nexen CP672

I have a set of Nexens on the Bonnie now which I will be swapping over to my wife's Aztek, but after reading about some negative issues (not simple griping) with the Milestars, I decided this was the best route.
The Nexens offer a very good treadwear rating of 500, and if they are as smooth and quiet as the ones presently on the car then we'll be in good shape.

[Jrs3800]

I have been running different sumitomos... all of them have had a 400 wear rating or better.... For the prices I have paid I could not have been more pleased... I had goodyear tired in the past and they sucked... I had a totally off brand tire with a 300-320 wear rating, was a very sticky tire with great wet road capabilities but due to the soft compound they wore way too fast... I have seen the Falken, and have been impressed with them again for the price it was worth it...

[Ghosthawk]

This is going to be a worthy experiment since I'll soon need a new set of tires for my Sebring convertible. If these appear to do well I'll grab a second set for that car since they run the same size tire, or at least I'll be stepping up to the 235/50/18s on that car.

[jedwards83]

I guess tires can be called an appearance mod for me. Because anytime I see Nexen, or some other unknown brand I immediately think "PRICE > CAR = CHEAP ASS."

Please don't take that the wrong way-- Those Nexens may very well outlast my General Altimax HP's, but I sure won't be buying them. I'll be off to TireRack reading many 'o reviews when it's time for me to buy tires.

[01bonneSC]

I guess tires can be called an appearance mod for me. Because anytime I see Nexen, or some other unknown brand I immediately think "PRICE > CAR = CHEAP ASS."

Please don't take that the wrong way-- Those Nexens may very well outlast my General Altimax HP's, but I sure won't be buying them. I'll be off to TireRack reading many 'o reviews when it's time for me to buy tires.

Generals used to be cheap ass tires also, i was hucking tires when they first started coming out.

[jedwards83]

Believe me, I will never be the guy advocating Goodyear and Michelin (or the other high priced tires).

There are LOTS of worthwhile tires out there. Some great, some not so. Some expensive, some cheap.

Since tires are such a huge investment, I go with what's recommended by people that have experience with them. That usually equates to Tirerack or forum reviews, the latter being the best as they know the best tire for the car.

The Altimax HP's were on the car when I bought it, and the only flaw I can honestly give it is that it's not a symmetrical tread.

[Jrs3800]

I have a set of 235 60 16 sumitomo HTR A/S P01

480 wear rating, directional, 100 load H rated... They are a little harder than I am used to, but they are a decent tire... I like these more than I like my Toyo's on my 03... The one thing I noticed about these is that they have a max psi of 51 iirc.. Mine are run in the 32-35 area... No complaints at all... Later I plan to get a set of these in 225 60 16 for the van...

In the past I have ran the Sumitomo HTR4 and liked them... 400 wear rated... Not the greatest tire but for the price they were quite decent and are the reason I still continue to buy Sumitomo Tires...


Sandrock had had a couple set of a certain tire, forget what they were even called, but I loved them... They seemed to really be the best of all worlds.. Performance, wet weather traction.. and had a 400 wear rating...

[Adamus Prime]

any pics of the results?

[Ghosthawk]

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