I've sold my hot rod S2000 and I'm now driving a bone stock '05 w/ 36k miles. It's time for new rear tires and I'm out of the loop as far as what's new. Searching on this forum has always been useless, and I would like to hear opinions from y'all about my choices. I only need rears right now and I wasn't sure if I should stick with the OEMs to match the front or if I could get a different set on the rear. If so, I'd like to go with a 255 width tire. I drive my car to school and back (that's what my life has become ), however, these drives are spirited. So, I need a good tire for spirited street driving that has decent wet handling. I'm in Savannah, GA. so cold weather isn't an issue. Thanks for the help folks.

I probably have 15k miles left on the fronts, so if it is best to not mix and match, I can get OEMs on the rear and just switch out all 4 in a year or so.

 

I need all four this spring and I am planning on going with the Dunlop Direzza Star Spec. It is an extreme performance summer tire and has done well in the Tire Rack's test. It is also relatively affordable.

 

I needed to rear tires last week but I didn't want to have worn fronts and new rears, I ended up just buying a whole set in OEM sizes of the Dunlop Star Specs and I love them. Great road holding ability. I don't recommend mix matching grip/compounds front to rear, I suggest buying a whole set.

 

Buying the star specs this weekend. To stay in the stock class in auto-x, I need to have tires with a tread-wear of 200 or more, so their my best bet, so far. Tire Rack is your friend!

 

Thanks for the replies. I s'pose I'll follow suit. Are most people going with stock sizes or are the majority going to a 255/40 in the rear? Are there any disadvantages of having a wider tire in the rear? I would assume you might be more prone to understeering, but I'd like to hear opinions on this please.
Thanks!

 

Just found these Falken Azenis 615s. They are very cheap and all the online reviews have been outstanding except for a Car and Driver review, but I always have a hard time putting much stock in a test that I don't know who is funding. On Discount tire Direct.com they are offering an $80 rebate and free shipping so for all 4 tires I'd be out the door for $482 shipped to my house. Have y'all heard about these? I'm about to pull the trigger but I'd like to hear some input on these tires.

 

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/f...45&rd=17&cs=215

 

You won't find any shortage of people online who love them. The Car and Driver test provides objective info, and the real story: they're OK in the dry (not the best), but abysmal in the wet.
http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezflow_sit...8e6c0951cf5.pdf

I think you should keep your front tires, and for new rears, I see a few options, depending on your price range.

Dunlop StarSpecs would seem to be the obvious choice, but they're not going to be as resistant to hydroplaning as your front tires (though wet traction is EXCELLENT).

For your wants/needs/usage, I'd probably go with Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110, $107 from Tire Rack.

 

Thanks Dan. I've been pricing everything and Discount Tire Direct has been far cheaper mainly because they offer free shipping. I think I might go ahead and get the whole set of Hankooks from them. They are only 432 shipped and if I get their CC then I get a $50 rebate(doubt I will though). They are 468 through Tire Rack. That price difference covers the mounting and balancing of 2 tires.

Also, why do you reccomend getting new rears with worn fronts? Just out of curiosity. Thanks for everyones help so far.

 

You said you have 15k left on the fronts.