Recommend me a cheap, reliable, and SAFE economical tires!

[toneekay]

Car: 2010 Toyota Matrix
Rim size: 16x6.5, 5x100
Tire size: 205/55/16


So pretty much, this is going onto my lady's ride... She sort of drives like a maniac sometimes, but I would just consider it "aggressive." Most of her driving is done on the highway at around 70-75mph... I'm looking for cheap and reliable tires (long lasting) that are SAFE SAFE SAFE in dry and wet conditions. So far I've found this:

Barum Bravuris 2
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/findTireDetail.do?rcz=75060&pc=12410&scoc=6&ar=55&rd=16&y=8&rc=TDMINT&x=19&cs=205


I have a buddy that works at DT so he'll probably be able to buy tires at a small discount, PLUS balance/install them for free. I'm trying to keep it low around the $300 range; the lower the price the better. What do you guys recommend?

 

[Dominick]

Yokohama Avid ENVigor

 

[Billy.]

Do you have to stick with 205/55?

 

[toneekay]

Yeah, preferably the cheapest size lol...

EDIT: I can probably do like 215/45's... It's a 6.5" wide wheel so I know it'll fit, I just don't want too much fender gap since the Matrix sits kind of high already.

 

[toneekay]

Yokohama Avid ENVigor

Those would be awesome, but I'm not trying to drop over $400 on tires for a car that doesn't really NEED it -___-''

 

[Billy.]

lol $400 on tires is too much

 

[Kswest]

I got 4 brand new Falken Ziex tires when I still had my civic for $100 total from discount tire during their promo. Not sure how much the Ziex are anymore but for cheap (cost wise) tires, they ran for effing ever.

 

[R3dline]

id look into anything hankook iv bought them several times and they were really good tires, DO NOT buy kumho's iv had terrible luck with about 3 sets.

 

[TheEJ8]

, DO NOT buy kumho's iv had terrible luck with about 3 sets.

I had kumhos as well. and they blow ass. Id stay away from them.

 

[cgpEJ6]

See if there is a Goodyear Viva 2 available in that size. They are a 60,000 mile tire and all around pretty good and should be inexpensive.

 

[vjf915]

For being the ONLY thing that comes in contact with the road, and given how long most tires last...why cheap out?

 

[toneekay]

lol $400 on tires is too much

I spent over $500 for tires on my STI

I got 4 brand new Falken Ziex tires when I still had my civic for $100 total from discount tire during their promo. Not sure how much the Ziex are anymore but for cheap (cost wise) tires, they ran for effing ever.

Pshhh that would be awesome if they had a promo like that right now; those Ziex are like 90 bucks a tire!

id look into anything hankook iv bought them several times and they were really good tires, DO NOT buy kumho's iv had terrible luck with about 3 sets.

I had kumhos as well. and they blow ass. Id stay away from them.

I've had Kumhos in the past and haven't really had a problem... But they were in a totally different class of tires that I'm trying to find right now.

See if there is a Goodyear Viva 2 available in that size. They are a 60,000 mile tire and all around pretty good and should be inexpensive.

Looked at a few reviews and most show that they are worse than good =/ Walmart tires? I can't find them anywhere else.

For being the ONLY thing that comes in contact with the road, and given how long most tires last...why cheap out?

Not necessarily cheaping out on the tires, but looking for something reasonable. These aren't going onto a sooped up Civic hatchback with a b18 swap peeling off at every stop light and school zone. I think $300 range is fair enough for everyday economical use in an under powered mini minivan.

 

[JohnS.]

Tires really are worth the investment IMO. I used to use, not "cheap" but medium quality Good Year tires and they were eh. I cheap'd out one year and got the dirt cheapest. That was back when I still had bad toe in the rear of my car and I went through the 2 rear tires in less than 1 season. Fast foward to Yokohama S. Drives (summer tires) and those lasted me two "summer seasons" (April-ish through October-ish). I recently bought 4 205/45/16 S. Drives from discounttiredirect for $390 shipped. Their site lists them at 107/ea. I called them up directly after telling them I found them cheaper on Tire Rack and they gave me a hell of a deal.

I've always heard both good and bad about Falken's. People seem to like Yokohama, Hankook, Bridgestone, even Michelin... Good Year is decent too from my previous experiences. Whatever you do though, just don't get the cheapest tires. Even though a UTQG may have a high number, that doesn't mean it'll last long. Cheaper tires wear faster.

 

[anfrey]

For being the ONLY thing that comes in contact with the road, and given how long most tires last...why cheap out?

this!!! tires are THE most important replaceable part on the car. it's not only about handling characteristics, but, more importantly, the BRAKING aspect. it's not good brakes that make you stop faster, it's good tires. a car with stock brakes and good tires will always brake better than a car with upgraded brakes (such as a BBK) and crappy rubber. tires are a SAFETY part. do NOT cheap out.

 

[DarkCreep]

Dunlop Direzza DZ101.

 

[toneekay]

Tires really are worth the investment IMO. I used to use, not "cheap" but medium quality Good Year tires and they were eh. I cheap'd out one year and got the dirt cheapest. That was back when I still had bad toe in the rear of my car and I went through the 2 rear tires in less than 1 season. Fast foward to Yokohama S. Drives (summer tires) and those lasted me two "summer seasons" (April-ish through October-ish). I recently bought 4 205/45/16 S. Drives from discounttiredirect for $390 shipped. Their site lists them at 107/ea. I called them up directly after telling them I found them cheaper on Tire Rack and they gave me a hell of a deal.

I've always heard both good and bad about Falken's. People seem to like Yokohama, Hankook, Bridgestone, even Michelin... Good Year is decent too from my previous experiences. Whatever you do though, just don't get the cheapest tires. Even though a UTQG may have a high number, that doesn't mean it'll last long. Cheaper tires wear faster.

this!!! tires are THE most important replaceable part on the car. it's not only about handling characteristics, but, more importantly, the BRAKING aspect. it's not good brakes that make you stop faster, it's good tires. a car with stock brakes and good tires will always brake better than a car with upgraded brakes (such as a BBK) and crappy rubber. tires are a SAFETY part. do NOT cheap out.

Lol, you guys are making this seem like I'm out to get the cheapest tires possible! If I wanted cheap, I would've picked up used tires for like 80 bucks at the little tire shop around the corner -___-'' I'm just looking for those good affordable tires that won't break the bank.

 

[anfrey]

what's your budget?