Which Brand of Tires?
 

I'm pretty strapped for cash now and decided that I would rather get new tires all around for my stock wheels and lower the car than have new 18's but with the 4x4 stance still rocking out, so I need some suggestions.

I'm a big fan of TireRack and I know you are too Spike so I narrowed it down on there to the HTR Z's, the HTR Z III's, or the Hankook Ventus V12's. Or I could even go on to DiscountTire to get some NT555's.

I'm not really sure what to go with. I *think* I want to go with 245/45 all the way around. I don't want to go with a 275 I have that now with 555's and it looks goofy and I don't like it. So I've decided on the size all around... just what to get. I live in NY and shipping from DiscountTire will cost me, but when all is said and done, all of my options are around $425-475 which is alright I suppose. Unless someone has a cheaper option.

Ideas? I'm trying to be as cost effective as I can here, but by all means, handling comes first.

The HTR Z IIIs are going to be the best tire for the money. They are a really good tire and super cheap, have good tread wear, good all around performer too.

But, with discount tire if you go to their store to have them installed the install is free. Unlike tirerack which will add on another 80-100 dollars for install of the tires.

We don't have any Discount Tires here in NY and I know a few people that would be willing to mount my tires for next to nothing. Spike you have the HTR Z III's right? How do you like them so far?

I have had HTZ IIIs and like my NT555s a lot better.

I'm a fan of the NT555s myself but I'm not really a good source as how they are the only tires I've had on 2 different cars.

I have the HTR III's they are a great tire for the money for sure. Good handling wet and dry, but when you get to the point of loosing grip, they don't warn you.

X2, they make no noise whatsoever. It is better to have a tire that makes noise so it is easier to learn where the limit of the tire is.

In all seriousness.... Do you NEED tires RIGHT NOW? If not, you'll be much happier with the final outcome if you make yourself be patient, save a little extra cash and get a set of wheels/tires + your lowering springs and what-not.

Call up cruizin concepts or troll SVTperformance, sn95forums, corral,, craigslist, etc. for a nice set of used wheels and tires... God knows you could pick up a great set of wheels and tires used for $5-600.

The reason why I say "Call" places like cruizin concepts or somewhere similar is because they will cut you a deal on your wheel/tire packages.. I ended up getting my Black Chrome DD Cobras 17/9 & 10.5's + Nitto NT555's (255 & 315) + Mounted/Balanced + Chrome Lugs & Valve stems/caps for just shy of $1200 SHIPPED, brand new.

Well I just put the car on the road and since the fall, I have absolutely no tread left on the rears at all and the fronts are between 1 and 2/32's of an inch. On top of that, I'm actually a fan of the 5-star Pony wheels.

I've seen quite a few cars look very clean lowered with just the stock wheels. To answer your question, yes I do need tires right now.

Not sure if they still carry these or not but about 2 years ago I had a set of Fuzion zri 245/45/17s put on my car at Firestone for $450 installed. They were great daily driver tires...quiet, good wear and dependable in all conditions including light snow. Tire rack carries them for $89 each.