Tire purchase assistance

Ed_d · Sun Oct 28, 2007 11:12 am

I have a bone stock 05 ZX3 SE, have 52k on it and the stock GYs are getting close to the wear bars, plus seem to be getting louder as the days pass. I have a 80 mile a day drive, mostly freeway. Its a daily driver, grocery getter. Also living in Minnesota, have those wonderful winters to drive through.

I have been looking at the tire rack for the best tire for this and have come to basically 2 tires that I like. The local tires plus seems to stock one, but not sure on the other.

What I'm looking at are the General Altimax HP in the stock 195/60R15. Seems like it got a really good rating from the tire rack and the price isn't all that bad. The other tire I was looking at was either the Yokohama Avid T4 or the Avid TRZ. If anyone has any other options for me to look at I would be more than willing to see. Just want a decent tire that won't leave me spinning in the snow, ice or rain. I know that if I can get 40 to 50k out of them, id be more than happy.

I usually do a thorough job of looking up tires on the web, and the tire rack has always helped me in the past. I was just going to see what some of you out there have had better luck with. Any help would be great.

Ed

KRYPTO · Sun Oct 28, 2007 12:30 pm

General Exclaim UHP

Sun Oct 28, 2007 1:05 pm

Ed_d wrote: Just want a decent tire that would leave me spinning in the snow, ice or rain.
Ed

huh? LOL. I know from past expierence, that Kuhmo MX's will leave you spinning in the snow...

haha, I know typo...but could'nt resist...

Ed_d · Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:10 pm

Thanks for the grammar check.......

OK, looked at the UHPs and seem to get great ratings for the hi-perf group. Im looking for an ALL season tire, and Im not planning on switching my rims. Looked like all they had were 55 class and wider. Mine are the stock steel rims.

Was wondering of the Altimax HP would be as good as the exclaim?

Also, anyone use the Yoks Avid TRZ?

umdivx · Sun Oct 28, 2007 6:24 pm

On my first focus (2000 Sedan w/ 15" stockers) I ran Falken Zeis ZE-512's, they are a performance all season tire and I loved them. I now run winter tires on my current focus but for my summer tires 18" wheels I am actually running ZE-512's again.

For the size you are looking at you can get the ZE-512 shipped from http://www.discounttiredirect.com for $240 with free shipping, and no taxes.

Only down side is you won't get them mounted. But I am sure you can find someone here you can hook you up on that.

- Josh

Y2k · Sun Oct 28, 2007 9:14 pm

sams club can do it for cheap if u have or know someone who is a member.

Ed_d · Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:12 am

How many turns did you get from the falkens? Look to have a good rep, other than wear issues and inflation points. Looks like the discount tires stock them and install them in a few locals around town. May just have to give them a call.

So would you say these are better than the Yokohama avid trz? Price point says so.

OK, so I'm in a dilemma. I am going to for-go the Generals. I'm in a perplexed situation. I can get the Yoki Avid T4s for 309 out the door at Tires plus. I can get the TRZs ordered in , and those would be 367 out the door. The T4s seem to have a pretty good rep, and seem t o fit my driving style. Whats your opinion?

Mon Oct 29, 2007 10:15 am

Ed_d wrote:How many turns did you get from the falkens? Look to have a good rep, other than wear issues and inflation points. Looks like the discount tires stock them and install them in a few locals around town. May just have to give them a call.

So would you say these are better than the Yokohama avid trz? Price point says so.

OK, so I'm in a dilemma. I am going to for-go the Generals. I'm in a perplexed situation. I can get the Yoki Avid T4s for 309 out the door at Tires plus. I can get the TRZs ordered in , and those would be 367 out the door. The T4s seem to have a pretty good rep, and seem t o fit my driving style. Whats your opinion?

The TRZ's are an all around better tire (hence the cost difference). They are very likely to be the last set of tires you'll buy for quite a while. I had a set of AVID Touring tires which lasted a solid 60K. I would buy them again. They were quiet. Had a good ride. Never had any issues with snow, and I couldn't wear them out. I would think the TRZ's would be even better.

Stay away from the T-4's. I had these on my wife's car. Not the greatest. Were noticably louder and did not have comparable snow performance. That was my experience anyway.

Good luck with your purchase.