Best, relatively-cheap tires?

[Loren]

Ziex 912's are decent. Some of the other Ziex models are crap! I have 512's on my Spitfire, they're pretty good, and the 912 is the much improved replacement for that model, so they should be more than acceptable... for an all-season street tire. (don't expect much if you're autocrossing or anything)

[yarswiss]

Originally Posted by Kal-El

Excellent choice. I'll probably be getting new tires this week as well and these are at the top of my option list. Good for 80,000 miles (tread warranty), cheap, good all around touring tire.

Any first impressions yet?

Other options on the list all under $60 available where I'm buying (town fair tire) include...

Yokohama Avid Touring S (similar)
BF Goodrich Traction T/A T
General Altimax RT

My new tires make a world of difference! I was running Bridgestone potenzas before, and they were loud, hard and squealed in corners. These ones are smooth, very quiet and don't make any sound even when making the car go sideways The greatest difference I have noticed is the steering; since these tires are a bit softer and have deeper treads, steering is practically effortless, and much, much more responsive. For the price, these are awesome! Having a rear sway bar also helps, of course...

I doubt I'll be getting anywhere near 80k miles on them, as reports I have read show the tire wears prematurely.

I was also seriously considering the General Altimax as they are high grade and last quite long, but it didn't quite justify the difference in price for me. Good luck on your next set!

[ozmdd]

I ran a set of very-affordable 214-40-17 Nankang NS-1's on my 17x7's, and they were a really good tire, cheap or not. Surprisingly, they were great in the wet, and pretty good in our limited snow/ice down here in Dallas. Not sure what sizes they come in, but performed well, wore well (20k+) and were about $50/each.

[Kal-El]

Originally Posted by yarswiss

My new tires make a world of difference! I was running Bridgestone potenzas before, and they were loud, hard and squealed in corners. These ones are smooth, very quiet and don't make any sound even when making the car go sideways The greatest difference I have noticed is the steering; since these tires are a bit softer and have deeper treads, steering is practically effortless, and much, much more responsive. For the price, these are awesome! Having a rear sway bar also helps, of course...

I doubt I'll be getting anywhere near 80k miles on them, as reports I have read show the tire wears prematurely.

I was also seriously considering the General Altimax as they are high grade and last quite long, but it didn't quite justify the difference in price for me. Good luck on your next set!

Thanks.

I've since decided that I'm going with a dedicated winter tire and then going with the all-seasons in the spring. I'll certainly keep these in mind.

I'm probably going with the General Altimax Artics. A high rated winter tire at a great price ($60-$70).

[firemachine69]

Good grip, long life, and good wet-weather handling? How about fuel efficiency?


That does NOT exist, regardless what anyone tells you. EVERY single tire is a compromise!

So what is your main desire for these tires?

[Henry G.]

Have to say my V-rated Goodyear Eagle GT's have done well so far. Got about 10k on them and they are about 1/3 worn, thats OK because I run them at 50 psi (51 psi rated) for max traction and MPG, and now they are broken in they handle VERY well. $64 at Tirerack for 195/60-15, just ordered some another set of 195/55-15 to fit on the stocker wheels, 60 profile was too tall for max handling IMO, $72 each now. I bet a milder driver could get 40k out of them. Wet traction is SO superior to those POS stock Goodyear whatevers, they were just plain SCARY in wet conditions. I can drive near full speed on these Eagles in the wet, they are that good.

[Kal-El]

Originally Posted by firemachine69

Good grip, long life, and good wet-weather handling? How about fuel efficiency?


That does NOT exist, regardless what anyone tells you. EVERY single tire is a compromise!

So what is your main desire for these tires?

Absolutely right. Compromise is the first rule of tires.

A tire can only be designed to serve one specific purpose at full performance.

All seasons are the biggest compromise as they try to do everything and only succeed partially at each job. And even though they are called "all" seasons, they are only marginally acceptable in winter conditions.

Ideally, everyone in a climate that sees freezing weather should own two sets of tires. Cost shouldn't be an excuse because having two sets extends the life of each set so really it's equivalent to owning only one set.

[mr_eraserhead]

Has anyone tried TRIANGLE TIRES?

I'm using 215/35/18 on my sedan.

So far its doing okay

[thebarber]

Originally Posted by mr_eraserhead

Has anyone tried TRIANGLE TIRES?

I'm using 215/35/18 on my sedan.

So far its doing okay

ive heard of them, but don't see them much in north america