i have 17' rims sooooo...

205/40/17 or 205/45/17?

 

205/40-17.

Recommendations in that size:

a. If you need to use these tires in occasional snow in winter as well as in moderate to warm temperatures the rest of the year: Kumho Ecsta ASX, $61/tire at the Tire Rack.

All of the remaining recommendations assume that you don't expect to use these tires in snow, or else you have a separate set of winter or all-season tires for that purpose:

b. If you want very good dry traction and wet traction and treadlife, and you also care about purchase price: Kumho Ecsta SPT, $60/tire at the Tire Rack.

c. If you want the best dry traction and wet traction and treadlife, and you don't care about purchase price: Goodyear F1 GS-D3, $125/tire at the Tire Rack.

d. If you want the best dry traction and don't care about wet traction or purchase price or treadlife: Falken Azenis RT-615, $93/tire at Vulcan.

BTW, it's easier to figure out whether or not you drive in snow if you put your location into your profile. I'm not sure how much it snows in zzz zzz.