Best tire on a Budget?
 

Hello - we're in the market for new tires and on a big budget (going back to school) - looking for some suggestions on a decently priced tire that's held up well, has a decent ride and relatively low noise - also, any thoughts on going to a 225/60/17 for a better ride due to more sidewall? thanks

Most folks here are not buying real budget tires I have noticed here so your best bet is like Tire Rack ratings. With noticable ride changes such as temp changes throughout the day, tires themselves, I would not screw around for such miniscule differences, you can overthink anything.

four new tires on a new ford focus.budget

I've been happy with my General Altimax HP's and will probably get them again when the time comes.

id go with Achilles tires..great commuter tire thats a Z-rated...

No disrespect, but car tires are the wrong place to budget on a car. Number one critical safety item on a car is your tires. Get the best quality tires you can afford and budget on not going out to eat or movies instead.

Agree... but...
 

Totally agree, but just because it's rated "the best" somewhere and it costs a lot is no guarantee that it's the best and you'll be good results. For most, Michelin would be tires of choice, but I think that Continentals offer very good and competitive tires to Michelin and several tens of dollars off. The ContiProContacts I have I feel are excellent as daily driving tires and handle excellent in rain. When mine go, I would replace with Continental again. Michelin, about $190/tire, Continental about $140.

If Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum come in your size, it's worth considering. Great rating, quiet assymetrical tire with long tread life. I also agree it's best to go for a good tire regardless of the car. It's your safety you are talking about.

No perfect solution here. You have a luxury car that performs best with luxury tires. If you can't afford that, then you have to be able to accept the compromises that come with it. You can't always have your cake and eat it too. No disrespect intended. Just my opinon

I never understood the saying "can't have your cake and eat it..." what the heck does that mean? If I get/buy a cake, I'm sure as heck gonna eat it... :)

Michelin Primacy MXV4 tires in size 225/55R17 97H -- considered by many to be the "gold standard" in a long lasting, quiet, moderately priced tired tire for the LS400/LS430. They are currently $181.99 each at Costco which has a $70 off per set of four tires deal several times a year.

Stick with H rated tires for longest life. Z- and V-rated tires usually wear out quicker. H-rated (130 mph) tires were original equipment on your 2001 LS430.

thanks for the replies...after thinking it over, you guys are right - I shouldn't be skimping on the tires as my safety is at stake - then did the math in my head between a set of $800 tires and a set of $500 tires and realized that I'm being silly...thanks for the input

anyone have thoughts on getting 225-60-17 instead of 55 to soften the ride even further?

thanks:)

Here is a comparison from http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp between your current 225/55-17 tires, the 225/60-17 tires you are considering and the 225/60-16 tires that were standard on 16" wheels on the 2001 LS430.

If you were to use 225/60-17 tires, I'm guessing that your speedometer might be closer to indicating your true speed than your current tires since speedometers usually understate speed by 2 or 3 mph at highway speeds.

But I would probably stick with your current size and keep tire pressures at the minimum specified on the driver door jam of your car.

Thanks Jim!

Agree - as long as you go with good high quality tire it doesn't have to be the most costly. Have read good things about the Continentals. My objection would be someone who buys the lowest cost tires available with the assumption that they are all pretty much alike. I think that's generally a bad plan.