Gey guys after much helpful advice, especially from nsxtasy I figured out the right size tire to go with. 205/50/15 was rubbing my fenders, so i was toldto go with 195/50r15. The 205/50's looked great, so i do not want to lose that great appearance too much, Iwant to see what these tires looks like on rims please!

 

I was also curious about what brand tire to go with in this size

1.What's the best tire, with execellent treadwear for summer?

2. What's the best tire if I want to drive this thing through winter (which i may be considering) A good all-season with excellent treadwear. Reason being I don't really have much money to shell out for 2 sets of tires. 1 for summer, one for winter.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rayz_Si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I was also curious about what brand tire to go with in this size

1.What's the best tire, with execellent treadwear for summer?</TD></TR></TABLE>

It depends on how you define "best".

IMHO, the best performance regardless of price is with the Goodyear F1 GS-D3, $91/tire 195/50-15 at the Tire Rack. Outstanding dry traction, outstanding wet traction, reasonably long treadlife (25-35K miles).

Beginning in November, the Falken Azenis RT-615 will be available in 195/50-15. Even better dry traction than the Goodyear, but only so-so in wet, and short treadlife (10-12K miles).

The best value - call it "best bang for the buck" or "best performance taking price into account" - is with the Kumho Ecsta SPT, $41/tire after rebate 195/50-15 at the Tire Rack. Very good dry traction, outstanding wet traction, very long treadlife (30-45K miles).

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rayz_Si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">2. What's the best tire if I want to drive this thing through winter (which i may be considering) A good all-season with excellent treadwear.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The very best all-seasons (e.g. Kumho Ecsta ASX, Pirelli PZero Nero M&S, Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS) don't come in 195/50-15. Your best choices in that size are:

Falken Ziex ZE-512 $44/tire at Vulcan
Toyo Proxes 4 $59/tire at onlinetires.com
Kumho Ecsta AST $31/tire after rebate at the Tire Rack

As you probably already know, your performance won't be as good with all-seasons as with a winter tire in winter, or with a summer tire the rest of the year. But yeah, to do that, you would need to buy two sets of tires, and preferably a second set of wheels (lots of used 15" wheels are readily available. So are 14" steelies but I don't know if they would fit on your '96-00 Civic; if they do, you can get 185/65-14 winter tires).

HTH

 

First off thanks so much for your professional insight and advice on tires.

I have one more question on this size, will the sidewall thickness be the same as my 205/50/15?

 

I would personally wait until the Kumho Ecsta AST is introduced should be any day now. They have been hyping the tire for a while now, it's supposed to outperform its ASX predecessor. Not sure if it comes in a 195/50/15 though as it is more aimed towards WRX owners and the like.

 

I think i'd be interested in the deepest treads possible, or the best treadwear rating

 

does anybody know if the AST or ASX has the best treadwear rating?