Scooped the OEM rubber mats from a dealership via EBay, for $120 shipped or there about

 

I have some in Tan about 8/10 condition I'm trying to sell. Just Tan doesnt sell as fast.

 

Next month I'll be buying two new rear tires, in preparation for Spring 2022. And I'm just going to be keeping on with the Continental Extreme Contact Sports. They've been a great tire and a really good value, comparative to the old Pilot Super Sports that I used to have.

But OMG prices have changed since my last purchase of Contis! The 275/R35-19 tire now costs $305 plus tax.

That's $305 for one tire. It's not just the Continentals that are expensive, seems most tires in this class are more than they were a few years ago.

 

Yikes! Looking at Tire rack?

Have you considered the Firehawks? Heard nothing but good things about them.

Also worth looking at:

Falken Azenis FK510
General G-Max AS-05

 

Wow that's expensive! I may think twice about upgrading my wife's Chevy Cruze's shoes if tires are going to be that ridiculous in price. Of course she won't be getting 19's lol. Probably Fast Wheels FC04 in 17x8 with 235/45/17 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 4.

 

Rochester, my recommendation would be the Yokohama Advan Apex V601. These were my favorite street tires. They are a much grippier tire than the Pilot Super Sports or Continentals for about $100 less for the pair and they are not as noisy nor do they ride as hard as an extreme performance tire. https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...omCompare1=yes

I have also heard good things about these Kumhos, but I have never tried them myself. https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...omCompare1=yes

 

Yep, TireRack. I've been buying tires from them exclusively for all my cars for the last... IDK, 20 years maybe.


That would be a $100 savings over the Contis. Can't deny $100 savings.

However, the Yokos are a full pound heavier, have 1/32" less tread to start with, and the reviews are slightly less enthusiastic overall, in all categories.

I'm OK with spending the money for a matched set of tires (Contis all around), for a tire that I'm already comfortable with. It's just the sticker shock, is all.

 

So you are ok spending an extra $100 for a tire that is a whopping 1 lb lighter and only has 1/32 more tread depth, but gives up noticeable grip? The Conti is rated 4.5 stars and the Yokos are 4 stars with only a few reviews. Tire rack stats for tread depth and weight are definitely not exact, by the way. What are you looking for in your tires? I feel like you are really splitting hairs as it relates to Tire Rack stats vs. actual grip. Just looking at the tread pattern I can tell that the Yokohama puts a lot more rubber on the road and the compound is going to be significantly stickier than the Continentals.

 

Well, it's $50 per tire, not $100. It's only a c-note because of two tires. One pound lighter and 1/32" more tread for $50? Yes, that fair, IMO.

You're advice is always welcome, 4DRZ, but I wasn't actually seeking advice, I was just complaining about sticker shock. You and I both know that I'm just barnstorming around the neighborhood, and not the track.. The only extreme performance I'll be seeing is *maybe* another auto-x event. Maybe. I mean, I do own a helmet now, LOL.

As for tire rack stats vs. "actual grip", the latter is your opinion... and it's a respected one, because you know your stuff. But it's one opinion up against thousands that tip the TireRack stats toward the Conti.

 

Instead of saving $50/tire, I'm genuinely considering going back to the Pilots, and spending another $65/tire. One pound lighter still than the Conti, with stats over the Conti similar to the Conti's stats over the Yoko.

Wife would give me serious side-eye if I spent $740 +tax for two tires. She's already taking a deep breath in me spending $610 +tax.

Anyway, I just went back into my records. These rear Contis that I'm tossing out next month... I paid only $486 for them back in July 2017 through tire rack. So the $243 tire is now $305, four years later.

OK. Well, market is what the market is.

 

I couldn't imagine having to go through the wife for approval

It's for your safety, she should never question your safety.

 

Do what you want it is your car, but why do you care about 1 lb. of weight when you are "just barnstorming around the neighborhood, and not the track?" Those two statements contradict each other. If you were concerned about weight you would have different wheels. Yes, as I stated originally the Yokos would save you $100 for the pair, not each. If you want to go back to Michelin you probably want the Super Sport's replacement, the 4S. Much newer tire technology and they are less expensive.

Just looking at the tread design it is clear which tire puts more rubber on the road between the Continentals and Yokohamas. Not an opinion like the subjective ratings people have submitted to tire rack. When I talk about grip I am looking at the treadwear rating. The Yokos are a softer compound which will be grippier, especially with the tread design differences. Again, get the tires you want. It is just not clear what you are looking for in your tires.

 

It's not clear to me why you are so intent on forcing me to bend to your opinion. Chill out, man. Please.

The important thing here is putting proper 3-season performance tires on this sport sedan. Other than that, they're all good tires.

 

Well, we're a team, and we don't make independent decisions on things more than a few hundred bucks.

I'm quite fortunate she indulges me on the car hobby.

 

I'm not quite sure how prices and treadwear ratings are an opinion. I've given you 3 different tire options. I am just trying to help you save money and get stickier tires if that is what you want. Again, I am not sure what you are looking for in your next set of tires since that seems to change from street tires to maybe autocross.