I've been searching around all day and, although I have learned a lot, I would appreciate some more opinions on this before I make my decision.

Here's what's going on. I have a total of $350 to spend on a wheel/tire combo for my daily beater/auto cross car. (It's a 90 Civic hatch.)

After doing a bunch of research on wheels I have decided to go with 90-93 Mazda Miata wheels. They are the cheapest "light" wheel that I have found and are easily found. They don't take much modification to get to work (the hubs have to be slightly bored out), and at 12.3 lbs, they are lighter than even my 13" steelies.

I have found a few sets locally and am confident that I can pick up a set without tires for $100.

Okay, so that takes car of $100 of the $350 that I have total to spend on wheels and tires.

So, what I need to find is the best tire for these wheels that I can get for $250 installed and ready to go.

As far as tire sizes, I have been looking at 185/60/14 because of the wide range of tires available in this size.

So far, I have found a number of tires that I "think" would work within my budget depending on how much it will cost to get them mounted on the wheels.

In your opinion, what are the best tires within this budget??

I found some new Falken Ziex ZE-512s on eBay for $200 shipped, which I think I might have to jump on, unless someone can show me something better in the same range.

Oh, as far as driving goes. I drive this car to and from work each day (15 miles each way). And I will attend 5-6 autocross events this summer. I would like a tire that helps me out on the course but doesn't break the bank.

I appreciate any help and suggestions I can get! Thanks!

 

There's no way you can find a 14" tire even remotely suitable for autocross at that price. It's too bad you don't have 15" wheels, because there are a lot of good, inexpensive tires in 195/50-15 that could meet your price limit (such as the Kumho Ecsta SPT for $52/tire, the Fuzion ZRi for $53, or the Yokohama ES100 for $60). But not in 185/60-14. The only halfway decent tire in that size is the ES100 and it costs $69/tire.

The Ziex ZE-512 is an all-season tire. It's an okay tire (not great, just okay) if you need to use it on snow in the winter. But you'll be giving away a huge advantage using it on an autocross course.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
But you'll be giving away a huge advantage using it on an autocross course.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Unless it snows during an Auto-x event. Then he will have a decisive advantage!


(Alright, I'll shut up now and get back to my studying, cheers.)

 

you are in luck. They do make the Yokohama AVS ES100 in 14 in. The only downside is that they're 195/60/14. Not very wide, kinda high but sticky as hell. Plus they're 62 bucks a pop at tirerack.com. check em out.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EG2driver &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you are in luck. They do make the Yokohama AVS ES100 in 14 in. The only downside is that they're 195/60/14. Not very wide, kinda high</TD></TR></TABLE>

They also make the ES100 in the proper size for his car, which is 185/60-14, not 195/60. But there's no way he will get either size ES100 for the price he mentioned.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">They also make the ES100 in the proper size for his car, which is 185/60-14, not 195/60. But there's no way he will get either size ES100 for the price he mentioned.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I may be able to expand my budget to fit the ES100 if they are really my best option.

Thanks for the advice by the way!

 

Shipping, balancing, taxes. Out 350 maybe?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EJ1 wilcox &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I may be able to expand my budget to fit the ES100 if they are really my best option.</TD></TR></TABLE>

They are really your best option.

At $69 per tire, you're looking at $276 for the tires. Shipping generally runs around $50 for the set. No sales tax when shipped from out of state (and no sales tax in Oregon anyway). Depending on where you go, mounting and balancing usually goes for $10-20 per tire, so that's $40-80. Total $366-406.

Check a few tire dealers in your area; they may be able to beat the Tire Rack prices. Especially since you wouldn't have to pay for shipping, and there's no sales tax in Oregon. You can look up your local Yokohama dealers here.

 

the ES100 have astounding grip for the price. Pick them up at the store and try to cut urself a deal with installation. I have a friend who works at Belle Tire and they're allowed to bring the price down up to 20%. Just make sure ur nice to the guy.