Good, all purpose tires?

[Chowder Head]

I need some new ones.  I just performed the ol' penny test and I could see bascially Abe's hair, let alone his head.


So, I'll need some new ones and was wondering what brands are good?  I'm looking for a daily driven tire that won't crap out, and supply some nice not so bumpy rides.  And since I'm in Florida, I don't need winter tires.

So what do you all think (Cara) I should check into?


Also, can you pop out the rim from the old tire and pop it in the new one or does this require use of a machine?


Thanks.

[speedfreak87]

www.tirerack.com is by far the best place to get tires from...

second - I have two different tires.. I have firestone firehawks on the front (made for rain) and I have BFG traction ta's for the rears. The BFG's are awesome, VERY good traction in all weather..

You can take a tire off and put it on with out a machine, but I wouldn't recomend it.. it's a pita to bead a tire with out the machine..

[GotTorque?]

Hey Michael.

Are you a mostly straight line type of driver or do you like the occasional hard cornering?  How many miles are you hoping to get out of your tires?  How important is a harsher/ smoother ride vs. quick tire/vehicle response to you?  Do you plan on doing any racing?

And unless you're made of steel, I'd just take the tire somewhere and have it mounted and balanced. 

I agree with Joe, tirerack.com is a great resource!

Give me some more info and we'll hook you up (pun fully intended) with some that are right for you.

[Chowder Head]

Hey Michael.

Are you a mostly straight line type of driver or do you like the occasional hard cornering? How many miles are you hoping to get out of your tires? How important is a harsher/ smoother ride vs. quick tire/vehicle response to you? Do you plan on doing any racing?

Mostly straight driving, although I would like to have the option of a few hard cornering here and there/
How many miles?  What does the average tire go for?  I don't want a tire that needs replaces in two weeks, or if it lasts a long time, but gives up ride quality, etc.  Bascially mid-to long tire life without sacrificing traction or road quality.

I'd say a smoother tire is more important then tire response.  But it would be good to have some response, but I mostly want a smooth road tire.

And racing as in drag racing?  So far I don't do any and I really don't see myself at the track once a week in the future .

[speedfreak87]

seriously.. go to www.tirerack.com and look for the bfg traction ta, look at the reviews.. it is a great tire, and it's suppose to last a while.

[GotTorque?]

Two more questions (bear with me. please)  are you sticking with the stock 225 size and how much are you wanting to spend?

[Chowder Head]

Two more questions (bear with me. please)  are you sticking with the stock 225 size and how much are you wanting to spend?

I don't mind answering questions.

How big is the 225 size?  16'?  I'm guessing that what I have on my car right now.
As you can see, I know nothing of tires.

How much....maybe under 500?  Can I get some nice tires for under 500?

[speedfreak87]

you should have 225/55/16's on your car, unless y have the 17's.

[Chowder Head]

Cara, I'm guessing you agree with Joe on going with the bfg traction ta's?

[Andrew97Cobra]

I have the BFG Traction T/A's on my daily driver and they are a very good tire for the money.  They replaced a set of Comp T/A VR4's (no longer made).  Those lasted about 60k miles, but they were noisy and developed a tire pull at the very end.

Whatever you do, leave the tire mounting and balancing to the pros.  We don't want to see another 5 page thread about a breaker bar snapping off and falling inside the tire.

[Chowder Head]

Whatever you do, leave the tire mounting and balancing to the pros. We don't want to see another 5 page thread about a breaker bar snapping off and falling inside the tire.

Now who does all this?  The people that ship the tire/rims or the place that installs them?  Like Goodyear, Tiresplus, etc.

I need some tires in the near future and I'm strongly considering new rims too but I don't know...
Does anyone like the rims that came with my car? (See gallery)   I think they're pretty cool but I'm still trying to decide if I want new ones or not.

[Chowder Head]

Nevermind, found out the people I order from do the balancing...

[speedfreak87]

they only do balancing if you buy the tires with rims..


btw, I do like those rims, just not for your car.. they looks sweet on a fox...  I do however have a set of 99gt wheels with less then 6k miles.....

[Andrew97Cobra]

Now who does all this?  The people that ship the tire/rims or the place that installs them?  Like Goodyear, Tiresplus, etc.

I need some tires in the near future and I'm strongly considering new rims too but I don't know...
Does anyone like the rims that came with my car? (See gallery)   I think they're pretty cool but I'm still trying to decide if I want new ones or not.

If you're going to be buying wheels and tires from the same place through mail order, I would just have them mount and balance the tires.  There's nothing better than being able to just put everything on the car as soon as the UPS guy leaves.  If you just buy new tires, any local mechanic or tire shop should be able to mount and balance them on your current wheels.

[GotTorque?]

Okay, PM sent... I wanted to take the time to write up a good response!