GTP Tire Buying Experience

Ok guys is that wonderful time that we all have to do some time or another... And if you own a gtp and have a lead foot like me, you probably do this more than most... The tire buying experience...

What type of tire do you guys recommend? I am pretty new at this and don't want to get a tire that I won't be happy with...

here is what I want:

A radial(not a drag radial) that does hook fairly well while having a decent life. I know the more performance oriented the tire is, the less of a life span it is going to have, but I am searching for the middle ground. I'm not really concerned with the brand. but at the same time I'm NOT going to pay $1000 for a set of tires...

I want something in the $500-$600 range, any ideas???

Also if you do know of a good tire that is fairly cheap, that would be great... Tires never last me the advertised mileage anyway(I wonder why?) but i don't want to be buying a new set in 10,000 miles...

You may want to search tirerack.com. They will have different tires depending on what you are looking for and you will be able to read reviews from others who own the tires. Personally I have Khumo tires on mine and they were very reasonable in price and last a reasonable amount of time unless you do a lot of burnouts. Tirerack.com has anything and everything you might be looking for so give it a try.

My 2000 GTP came with Goodyear Eagle RSA's. They have worn well, and traction has NEVER been a problem, even as hard as I push my GP. With 120,000 miles, I just put my third set (including the originals) on. They are all that I'll run. You just can't argue with success.

kuhmo is what I am probably going to go with...

I know a guy who works at a tire shop/muffler shop and he gave me an awesome deal on my cat back so I'm going to see what he can do on a set of tires...


He made me a 2.5" cat back and got rid of the resonator(even offered to gut the cat, though I declined) for $165... Including labor and all

I bought my car with Michelin Aquasports and I'm quite happy with them. They get good traction in all conditions, including the snow. Even consumers Reports rates them a readers choice. They have a nice looking directional tread pattern, and are quiet on the highway.

I had the bridgestone potenza r950's (or something like that) and I trashed them in about a year. They got noisy and wore in no time at all. I wanted to stick with something aggressive but wanted something good and practical too. I ended up with the Goodyear Assurance Tripletreads. They are the smoothest quietest tires I've ever had on any car. On top of that, they look and handle as good or better than anything else out there.

look and handling is not important(honestly)... I want the best traction/wear ratio....

i got the goodyear assurance which have the directional tread pattern that is so hot these days, but not for that reason. they have a temperature and treadwear of A rating, a V rating for the speed, and they are rated for 80,000 miles. the only disapointment...now it is so much harder to burn out since they grip like teeth. the ride is much better too, and with discount tires protection plan, whats there not to like?
p.s. i have been told that goodyear only makes one tire better than the assurance for road use. the drawback with most american tires though like goodyear and michelin is the price. with most kuhmo's, you get the same tire as an american, and with a toyo, you never can go wrong.

My Michelins are a 65k mile tire, just for the record.

i have goodyear viva 2's on my 02.. i pull 1.9 60's with them (have vid) They're the cheapest tire walmart has for 16's

look and handling is not important(honestly)... I want the best traction/wear ratio....

In my opinion, you get the best traction/wear ratio with the GY Triple Treads, plus the look and handling. I think I paid $500 for mine at a local shop, and that included replacement warantee. I think Sams Club had them cheaper, but were not in stock and 30 miles away. Tirerack.com gives them a great review to back it up.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Assurance+TripleTred&vehicleSearch=true&partnum=26HR6ATT&fromCompare1=yes&place=5

i would have to agree with the few people that have mentioned the goodyear assurance triple treads. I have had mine for a little over a year, on my 2000 gp SE. they hold the road pretty dam well for being a all season tire. I also live in upstate new york and we get some nasty winters up here and they handle alot better than the stock bfg's. i paid 85 a tire at the local goodyear shop. they have a 80K treadlife and lifetime rotation. They worked so well my sister picked them up on her 02 malibu when her stock ones burned out.

I say gut the cat! I have a custom made 2.5" catback WITH the gutted cat plus ceramic coated headers! Took it to a smog test station that my buddy works for to see if it would pass (for shiets n giggles) and it passed!! No "SES" light tripped related to O2 sensor either, and the cat has been gutted for over a year! If you do it, then make sure you know someone that works at a smog place just in case. I live in CA, so no emissions are tougher than here, yet I still have a "street legal" car!