Which daily driver tires?
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Biloxi MS
Which daily driver tires?
I need to get new tires soon and I'm looking for suggestions. I drive my 01 over 500 miles a week on the highway as a daily commuter car. Don't really care too much about "performance" in a tire nor do I want run flats. I'm looking for a good tire that will last a long time. I'm running the stock tire sizes and was wanting to stay under $200 per tire on the rears (fronts will be cheaper of course). Right now I'm leaning towards the Nitto NT555. Again, I'm just looking for a tire to get me from point A to point B and last as long as possible.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Sacramento CA
Have the NT555. It rides OK. It's a little bit noisy but not horrendous. Traction is OK. Paid about $700 installed on stock size c5 wheels.
They are a little slippery when wet, but they do fairly good in cold (20-40f NOT snow) considering they are a summer tire.
I have Continental DWS on my daily driver. They make them in C5 sizes about the same price as the Nittos. They are grippy, fairly quiet, and do well in the rain. The caveat here is that the speed ratings are different in c5 sizes. I don't know if that's bad, but Tirerack won't sell them that way.
They are a little slippery when wet, but they do fairly good in cold (20-40f NOT snow) considering they are a summer tire.
I have Continental DWS on my daily driver. They make them in C5 sizes about the same price as the Nittos. They are grippy, fairly quiet, and do well in the rain. The caveat here is that the speed ratings are different in c5 sizes. I don't know if that's bad, but Tirerack won't sell them that way.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '12
G-Force
Running B.F. Goodrich G-Forces on my DD. I too put down about 500 miles/week. Great bite on highway and very decent in rain. I have about 50k miles on them and the tread still has another good year on them. Price is good too...you should be able to get them from Discount Tire for about $600-$700 for the set. I don't even think about what my next set of tires will be...They're going to be G-Forces.
Last edited by coolarrow; Jan 11, 2011 at 03:43 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 778
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From: Chantilly VA
I got some Hankooks v12 for the front about 10k+ miles or so. They seem good to me. They were $110 ea shipped. I'm a DD also and have not seen much wear. The rears would have been about $170 ea at the time, but I was too cheap (at the time) to replace the rears. I just checked fronts $113 and rears $187 each. Some love them others give them bad press. I like 'em 
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Hankook Ventus V12's or Firestone Wide Ovals would be two good choices.
Racer
Joined: May 2010
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From: Washington DC
Another vote for the Hankook Ventus V12's. Great tires, and great price point. I have done everything from track weekends to driving in a downpour, and have nothing but good things to say about them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: North Topsail Beach NC
I've got a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus on mine that I bought through TireRack. They were on the expensive side but I still got them shipped, mounted and balanced for less than $1000. They are quiet, handle well and ride great. Since my car is a quasi daily driver, I decided it would be unwise to scrimp on the tires. I'm happy with the Michelins.
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I've got a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus on mine that I bought through TireRack. They were on the expensive side but I still got them shipped, mounted and balanced for less than $1000. They are quiet, handle well and ride great. Since my car is a quasi daily driver, I decided it would be unwise to scrimp on the tires. I'm happy with the Michelins.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Richmond, Ky
Running B.F. Goodrich G-Forces on my DD. I too put down about 500 miles/week. Great bite on highway and very decent in rain. I have about 50k miles on them and the tread still has another good year on them. Price is good too...you should be able to get them from Discount Tire for about $600-$700 for the set. I don't even think about what my next set of tires will be...They're going to be G-Forces.
They must have really improved that tire over the years. That was the factory oem tire for the 94-96 Impala's in the 255-50-17 size. On the Impala the first 10K was good the next 10K was only fair and by 30 K they were toast. Of course the Impala weighs 4200 lbs. but I was able to find some other rires that faired better. I still have the Impala so I may have to give the BFG's another chance.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Bowling Green KY
I have a set of Sumitomo HTR Z II on my '03 DD. Very happy and they handle spirited driving well. Very quiet. Very aggressive tread pattern. Wear well. Cheap, cheap and oh yea, did I mention they are cheap? Dude, I can afford to 'play' with these tires and not worry about breaking the bank.
Keep in mind they are not designed to handle snow, but they handle rainy roads well. I will definitely go with another set when I wear these out. As I said earlier, I can 'afford' these tires. Also, they are not run-farce, which in my opinion is not an issue. Green Slime and a battery operated pump works just fine.
Keep in mind they are not designed to handle snow, but they handle rainy roads well. I will definitely go with another set when I wear these out. As I said earlier, I can 'afford' these tires. Also, they are not run-farce, which in my opinion is not an issue. Green Slime and a battery operated pump works just fine.
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
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I've been running Michelin Pilot Sport AS ZPs and they've been great. Good handling, lower noise levels and good in all conditions.
I need to fit new tires to my new Crays (18/19s). I'll put Toyos on this time as the Michelins are just way too expensive here in UK. I'd prefer runflats again but I just cant justify the extra cost. I'll live with a can of "tire fix" and a new TPS if it comes to it. Looks like PXT1s for me this time and even they will be about $1500 a set.
I need to fit new tires to my new Crays (18/19s). I'll put Toyos on this time as the Michelins are just way too expensive here in UK. I'd prefer runflats again but I just cant justify the extra cost. I'll live with a can of "tire fix" and a new TPS if it comes to it. Looks like PXT1s for me this time and even they will be about $1500 a set.
Last edited by DeeGee; Jan 12, 2011 at 04:12 AM.
Got a set when i bought my car. Great so far and price was right.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Lexington Park MD
I've been using Falken 452's since i bought the car. I got about 20k miles out of the rears and currently have 30k on the fronts and I will just replace them all next time the rears are getting low. Like you, mine is a daily driver but I do like to get on it occassionally. No burnouts or anything just some brisk acceleration sometimes to get the juices flowin. My buddy has a tire shop and these were his recommendation for my type of driving. I got them at cost so i am not sure what they cost but should be well within your price range you mentioned. I have no complaints about noise or performance.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Vancouver B.C.
Just to add to your choices I replaced my runflats with Toyo T1R tires. I use the car as a daily driver and they are great tires - also use them for the occasional autocross and they work well in the rain. Mine are 265/40/17 and 295/35/18, but they are available in non Z06 sizes as well.
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '13
I'll second the Falken 452's. Paid under $300. a pair for the rears mounted and balanced. Impressed me so well I bought a pair for the front a year later for under $235. I'm also considering the brand for another car I have.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Columbia SC
Another vote for the BF Goodrich G-Force Super Sports. I have all-season ones; can't speak to the mileage as I only have a few thousand on them but they show no measurable wear. They stick as hard as I want to corner, etc. and were not expensive. Got mine from Tire Rack--ordered one afternoon, they were at my door the next morning!