help choosing tires for an idiot

[bmph8ter]

Hey guys. It's time to put a new set of shoes on my wife's Scion xB (2005) and I was wondering if you had any suggestions or tips for making a good choice. Up till I found this site, I would just call a handful of local shops and buy whatever was cheapest, but I now know that is the wrong move.

OE tires have about 35k on them now and are down to about 4/32. They are Goodyear Eagle LS in a 185/60R15 and run about $80 each from Tire Rack. I'm thinking about upsizing to a 195/60/R15 to open up my options some.

The car primarily sees a 20 mile daily commute about 1/4 surface streets and 3/4 highway. We also use it for trips from time to time. Money isn't REALLY an issue, but as we are a younger couple starting out it is a consideration.

I think one of the most important things to me is traction. She complains that the car skates in the wet something that the Eagles have displayed since almost new. I'd also like something that will last a while (a couple years at least) and won't absolutely kill our mileage. I know there will be a hit as the OEs are designed for good mileage. We see a fair amount of rain here (about 55 inches a year) and a little snow (5-7 inches) too so I guess we'd be the perfect candidates for all season tires.

From reading stuff around here, and Consumer Reports, it looks like the Goodyear Asurance TripleTreads ($97), the Falken Ziex ZE-912 ($65), and the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S ($95) are all really popular. Note that I'm not set on any of these, they just seemed to be mentioned a lot. I'm also not set on TireRack or Discount Tire Direct or a local shop, I just really using them for research at the moment.

Sorry for the overly long post, but thanks for any answers you've got.

 

[spaceballs]

I went with a set of Michelin Hydo-edge for my Subaru forester and it handles like a new car after getting rid of some WalMart Goodyears. They were a tad pricey [$110 or so at Discount Tire] but they have a 90k miles warranty.

 

[JHZR2]

All three of those mentioned are good choices. I have the previous rendition of those falkens, and other than a sidewall bubble (common to those, but the newer ones are built a bit heavier), they were good. Ditto the michelin and goodyears, which are top notch, and we have on other vehicles of ours.

Using 195/60r-15 for 185/60r-15 It makes you 2% too fast. You can go 195/55r-15 and be 1.2% too slow. Either might be splitting hairs. the 195/60r-15 size does seem to give a lot more options... And in that size, I'd be buying the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS tires ASAP so that I gt them for $79 and a $75 cash back rebate...

JMH

 

[bmph8ter]

Thanks for the info so far. I checked TireRack, and the Bridgestones are out of stock everywhere. I've called Sears to get a price (special order item) and I'll call another local dealer tomorrow.

 

[WishIhadatruck]

The RE960AS tires are great I'm sure (I have the older model RE950's and love them) but they will have an impact on gas mileage. My OE tires were Eagle LS tires and the 950's are a huge improvement in traction but my gas mileage went down about 2 mpg overall. Something to consider.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Falken 512 is a total skip. I think you would be happy with Kumho ASX or KH-16. 195/60 seems a better call for that sized vehicle. Consider Yoko TRZ on the high-wear more expensive end. Some of the tires you mentioned were overkill. All you want to do is beat the Eagle LS and not overspend. However, if you can get a premium tire for a few dollars more, do it. $100 each is too much for that vehicle/size.
Post a few more choices and prices and people will be happy to help more.

 

[bmph8ter]

Ok, I've just finished pulling some numbers together on the stuff you guys have recommended. Looks like I should be able get the Potenza RE960 from my local Sams Club (calling tomorrow am) for $83 each and if I do it before the 10th there is a $75 rebate which would make it about $65 each.

The ASX would run about $60 each shipped, the KH16 $63 each shipped, and the TRZ $75 each shipped. Note I haven't been able to check local prices on any of those yet that's on the list.

Right now, I'm leaning toward the Potenza RE960s if I can grab them at Sams. From comparing the Tire Rack numbers, the had the best wet traction (.80g), the best wet braking (99.3ft), and the best wet slalom time (4.56 sec). Dry numbers put them in second place in those categories. Treadwear warranty seems ok too at 40k; the ASX is 30k, the kh16 is 80k, and the TRZ is 80k. I've got a feeling that at about 12-15k per year they would dry rot before I hit the 80k. I guess anything would be better than the Eagles though. Wow, making a good decision is hard....

 

[Audi Junkie]

Looks good. Either get the Potenzas locally or if you order, imo, the TRZ would be great to smooth and quiet your ride. We have them on a "utility" vehicle and they are pretty awesome.

 

[Tornado Red]

I liked Bridgestone Potenzas for the first 50k miles, but while they still have decent tread, recently they have become extremely noisy and harsh. I am going to suck it up and try to tolerate them for another 15k miles or so. But it is going to be hard, as I have a set of Michelin MXV4's already mounted on some new alloys. I know as soon as I mount the Michelins, my fuel economy will improve noticeably.

Realistically I might save 20 gallons over the next 15k miles, or about $85-90 at current diesel prices. So there is a solid economic argument for tossing the Potenzas now, even with so much tread left.

 

[alreadygone]

All the above would be good choices. I'd definitely go up to the 195's though.

Bob

 

[VeeDubb]

I agree with Tornade Red on pontenzas. My Potenzas got so loud after 30K that I thought I had a bad bearing. Traction was good though and they wear well (if you don't count the increased road noise). The other reason I didn't get the Potenza 960s are that they are heavy in my size and unsprung weight is a silent killer

I don't know how heavy they are in your size though.

But if you want to make all of this idiot proof, then just go to Costco and get a set of Michelin Pilot Exalto All Seasons. Great all around tires for all conditions. You really can't go wrong with those except they are a tad on the $$$ side.

PS. I have Falken 912s and I am impressed by their combination of good traction and very predictable breakaway point when pushing it. They are also light, amazingly quiet for an high performance tire, and super cheap ($73 is what I paid for 235-45-17 from discount tire direct). The big knock on them is wear but after 4K miles, mine show no visible signs of wear yet and I corner a lot. I run them at 38psi, which is 5psi over the placard recommendation.

 

[ATS-V]

Originally Posted By: WishIhadatruck
My OE tires were Eagle LS tires and the 950's are a huge improvement in traction but my gas mileage went down about 2 mpg overall. Something to consider.


Interesting, I had the Eagle LS (40K) then replaced with Michelin Pilots (83k) and then with RE950 (153k) and then with the G009.

I've never noticed any difference in mileage with any of these tires.

 

[bmph8ter]

Last update. My local Firestone dealer is doing the Potenza RE960 for $398 out the door; tax, disposal, lifetime balance/rotate. There is also a $75 rebate so hopefully we like them. Thanks for all the help guys...

 

[Tornado Red]

Originally Posted By: bmph8ter
Last update. My local Firestone dealer is doing the Potenza RE960 for $398 out the door; tax, disposal, lifetime balance/rotate. There is also a $75 rebate so hopefully we like them. Thanks for all the help guys...

I think you will like them for a long time.... even if you stop liking them when there is still a lot of tread remaining.

 

[dorkiedoode]

dang i never knew about these tires. i got the G019 for 400 out and $50 rebate.

 

[nfafan]

I had the RE950's a few years back, awesome handling and traction - but at a price with treadwear.

I couldn't afford to replace them when it came time, due to the employmess situation at the time, so I got a set of no-name "Sigmas" from NTB. They have worn like iron, but I don't try driving like I'm in an auto-x anymore...

 

[Nukeman7]

Go with the Kumho Solus KR21 in the 195/60-15 size. Best all around tire for the xB, especially for $51 each at Tire Rack. Check out the tire Rack survey results. They are outstanding in every category and they ride great, grip exceptionally and wear very well. Can't be beat and you won't be disappointed! Kumho is as good or better than Michelin at half the price.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Potenza + snow = yikes!

 

[JHZR2]

If you look at edge racing, youll find a few toyo tire varieties thtmay be of interest too.

We have had nothing but good experiences using toyo tires.

Best,

JMH

 

[bmph8ter]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Potenza + snow = yikes!

That's ok, we really only get like 1 or 2 days with snow each year (well, really more freezing rain/sleet) and pretty much everything shuts down. Well, all except the soccer moms in their 4 wheel drive SUVs. It seems like they all buy the magic ones that let you go 70 on ice...until you crash.