TsukubaCody

The rain bit? Homeboy might not want loud tires?

I have a daily as well......still would go with a saner tire.

Chuck S

Replace the full set of tires.

I replaced my wonderful Bridgestone RE-11A (215/245) with Bridgestone S-04 tires (215/255) tires. Happy with the S-04 sizes. These are Max performance summer tires, the RE-11 tires were Extreme performance summer tires. I'm not noticing any difference in pseudo aggressive street and road driving. (I can rarely get any tire squeal.)

-- Chuck

Car Analogy

As mentioned here already, appropriate tires for this car really come down to choices from the Max Performance Summer category or the Extreme Performance Summer category. Tire Rack is the best resource for figuring out what choices you have, and what category a given tire fits into. Their prices are excellent. If there is TR warehouse near you that you can pick them up you can save a lot on shipping, which is usually what gets you. By the time you pay for shipping, the local shops prices often aren't much higher. TR also has incredible customer service. Can't recommend them enough.

The tires that were mentioned here, all excellent choices, are in the following categories:

-Firestone Indy 500 = High Performance Summer (be sure to get the all new tire, not the old tire that is really for old muscle cars)
-Continental ExtremeContact Sport = Max Performance Summer
-Michelin Pilot Super Sport = Max Performance Summer
-Bridgestone S04 = Max Performance Summer
-RS4 = Extreme Performance Summer

For your use, I think you would be well served with something from Max Performance Summer (or the Firestone's, which actually perform like they are). The original tires were from this category, and tires have improved greatly over the years, so all the tires recommended here are all stickier than the original tires that came with the car.

Its not all about grip though. Sidewall stiffness is critical factor with this car, which is somewhat unique. Most cars it doesn't make much difference, and just makes for a harsher ride. This car handles oddly with tires that don't have enough sidewall stiffness. Its perhaps for this reason many feel the need to push everyone to Extreme Performance category. Tires in that category pretty much always have an abundance of sidewall stiffness. But tires in that category often have the downsides of very high tire noise, poor performance in the wet, and very low tread life. Of course, not all tires are created equal, and the degree any given tire exhibits these downsides varies. Its just a matter of what compromises you are willing to accept.

My suggestion for your use is Bridgestone S04, in the stock sizes. Not quite as high a grip level as the Michelin, but slightly stiffer sidewalls. Its also the tire which superseded the original Bridgestone RE050 in the Bridgestone lineup. It has all the grip you'll ever need for the street, long treadwear (for a tire in this category), is good in the rain, isn't noisy. Twice yearly BS runs a $70 rebate if you buy 4, which isn't due to run again until fall.

Others will certainly disagree with this recommendation, and that is fine (so long as they make the case for why their recommendations attributes and compromises fit your requirements).

CMK

For me it'll be Conti ExtremeContact Sport or Bridgestone S-04 Pole Position. I'm in a similar situation to OP, but I'll be getting 17x8.0 and 17x9.0 wheels to go with a 225/255 stagger.

rrounds

I have a stock '06(with a C/R front sway bar) and I run 235/45/17 and 245/45-17 Continental DW tires. I have ran this size tires for over 100k miles and will not go back to the stock size again, rides and handles so good with this size tire. When these wear out I'll go with the new Continental ExtremeContact Sport tire.If you run in the snow at all then I'd go with the DWS.

ROD

Saki GT

Good advice here, and what I would add is that you should stick with the stock tire sizes - 215 front, 245 rear - as that best keeps the car's character from getting dull. I've had multiple tire widths but when back to 215/245 because it makes the car feel more 'spirited', which is what I love about it. As you add rubber, the car grips more, but turn in is not as sharp, things feel "heavier", and less lively.

I was going to buy the Firestone Indy 500s but they are on national backorder for 2-4 months currently, so instead I am planning on the Conti ExtremeContact Sports. There is a Conti rebate starting Aug 1 if you can wait.

kernalflagg

Sorry, I was away for a bit there.

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who took the time to respond. All of the advice and information is much appreciated.