New Tires for '01 Protege

[rcharles]

I need new tires to replace the OEM Potenza 195/55 VR15 on the car. I am not willing to pay for the same tires. Besides they were not that good in the wet (especially the snow). For a better selection of tires I am planning to go to 60 series V or H rated tire but maintaining the same width. I am evening considering a touring tire like the Bridgestone Turanza SL-H. I want performance but also good wet traction, decent snow traction, and a reasonably quiet ride. I would be interested in opinions or know if anyone else has done this.

[2KB5]

Just put a set of BFG Traction TA's on my 99 ES, size 195/55R15. So far so good.

[rcharles]

2KB5, I am considering the Traction A/T. But, some reviewers of that tire talked about tire noise and loosing 1 to 2 miles per gallon of gas economy. What has your experience been? Have you driven them in snow at all?

Thanks for responding,
Rcharles

[2KB5]

RCharles - I've only had them a little more than a week, but compared to the el cheapo no-name summer tires that were on it, they are much quieter. I think the Protege in general is a little on the noisy side ( not much sound insulation etc). I live in No NJ where we just had a foot of snow, and got around ok - probably not as good as with snows, but I didn't get stuck.

[P5 Help]

If you want wet and snow traction go to tirerack.com and see what they have. Also if you want Ultra High Performance All-Season they have them. I have the Kumho ECSTA ASX Ultra High Performance All-Season and they work great in snow and on ice. I live in Alaska and if you never lived here they get ALOT of snow and ice and I get traction and great handling with this tire. The tires that come on the protege are not good wet tires so I suggest that you go all season tires.