I've an '03 GT premium vert that still has it's oem gatorbacks on it. (driven seasonally)

It's time to get replacements. They're 245 45's all around. What's a suitable replacement? I've been doing some searching on tire rack, lots of choices! But I really can't decide what to buy.

 

Well depends what you want to do with the car. Just cheap replacements, better traction all around, better traction just for the rear?

You can keep the 245's all the way around or go to 255 wide tires all the way around or 245 up front and 275 out back or 255 up front 275 out back if you want more traction. With the staggered setup you cant rotate tires though. I never have been able to and mine do last a good while still (the fronts).

As for brands Im not one to go spend $200 a tire on michelins or other high end brand tires. I use them up to fast for that. I really like the Kuhmo brand tires they last long good traction and are cheaper then alot of other tires. The Kuhmo MX's are nice. Nitto 555's are also a good tire and lots of mustang guys love them.

But really your going to get alot of responses here. Its more of an opinion then anything. So just read tirerack.com and tires.com (discount tires website) and pick what you like price and mileage wise and what has decent reviews. Thats how i do it.

 

I occasionally drive spirtedly, but not as much with high gas prices.

I'm not one to spend tons on tires either, and I've heard good things about those, and have been leaning towards them.

 

Kuhmos are good and I have used lots of there tires before. They last a good while, handle well, and have decent traction considering they just a street tire.

 

Tire rack has a lot of good tires. I got some sumitomos all around, really cheap. Good looking tires and perform as well if not better than the oem goodyears on mine. Plus they ship them to your door at a really good shipping price. I'm very happy with how they do business. Although my tires are summer tires, they handled wet cold roads this winter ( no ice), extremely well. I may go with a more pricey tire next go round, but I can assure you they won't be $200+ tires.

 

I have 255/40/17 BFG KDW II's on the back and stock Gatorbacks on the front. You can also look into the KDW's.

 

If you just want an everyday tire I would recommend Fuzion tires. I got a set back in November to use during the winter on my stock wheels (245/45/17). They are quiet and have good traction in all conditions under normal driving. I'm a spirited driver too almost always but I've never burned out or launched really hard with these. I want them to last a few winters. It doesn't snow tons here in MO but it does occasionally. Had no issues in light snow (up to ~4 inches) but I never drive if it's icy or real heavy snow. Anyways if you know someone that will mount and balance them I would definately get them from tirerack. If not I got my set mounted, balanced, road hazard warranty and lifetime rotation from firestone for $475. I had a 10% off coupon.

Good luck...You'll be happy with anything other than those crappy gatorbacks.