2005 Corolla XRS Replacement Tires

[ChrstphrM]

My 2005 XRS has just crossed 50K miles; I live in the Chicago area (IE: it snows here); and I am considering 195/55R16 (H or V) Yokohama AVID ENVigor replacement tires. Has anyone had experience with these or, can anyone recommend another tire? The stock tires are terrible in the snow (partially I am sure because they have exceeded their life expectancy). I do want an all season tire as I do not make a winter tire swap. I simply want to get new tires and forget about them for a few years but i do want good all season performance. Price is no object. I'm looking for the best tires available?

[onemph05]

Tirerack has reviews and have bought 2 sets of summer tires with no problems. You can go to a 215 which are fine on XRS rims.

[ChrstphrM]

Since looking into 205/55R16, I found Goodyear TripleTreds that size. I have used them before on my wife's 05 Matrix XR and they are rated at 80,000 miles. She put on 90,000 after buying them and before we sold the car. Right before we sold it we had them rotated and the tire shop measured the tread and they still had plenty of life. In fact the dealer at which we traded the car marked them as "nearly new" for trade in value. Nice! Anyway, now that I found this slightly larger size will work, I ordered them. The total is $799 (stiff, I know) but they last and last - Oh, that $799 includes the lifetime 100% replacement deal - No prorating (used this on one tire for my wife who ran over a big metal sharp thing and saved big). And, having driven cross country from IL to AZ and having stopped to ski along the way several times without traction issues in the mountains, I trust the TripleTreds. They are the best tires Ive ever owned.

[silver04rollas]

I have tried a bunch of different brands after my stock Michelin Pilot Primacy tires.

Now in the summer I am using 'Continental ExtremeContact DW' max performance summer tires in 205/50/16 size (wrapped in lightweigh 16 x 7 wheels) and they handle like a dream. Also, very civilized and quiet tires. Yet, have great and crisp turn in response and velcro like grip under heavy cornering g-forces.

I highly recommend it.

My advice to you is to not go with 205/55/16 (I used to have my winter tires in that size) and circumference is much bigger than stock. It will make the car rev up much slower and also the speedo will become slower. Also, the high profile tirewall will make the steering feel very floaty and squishy when you try and maneuver at high speeds.

[ChrstphrM]

Thanks for the input, but I am not really that much of a high performance driver. In fact, I was shopping for an lightly use S rather than an XRS but the deal on the XRS was just too good to pass up. I must admit it is a fun car to drive for one that gets better than 32 MPG regularly. Still, I think I'll hold out for the S next time (slower, but better mileage and a factory moonroof and automatic).

I buy cars with less than 30K miles on them and drive them to 200K if I can. My 2002 S got me to 165K before hinting it might need more than breaks and tires and oil changes and I bought that for $10,300 with only 11,000 miles on it fully loaded with every option available. I got 3000 for it and got my 2005 XRS for less than $14,000 with $9000 miles on it. This sort of thing may be why my friends and family call me when they need to buy a car. Some people hate the process. it is fun for me.

Back on topic, I do also understand the trade-offs due to the tire size increase, but, my primary interest is grip in all conditions. Chicago presents one with just about every kind of road condition imaginable. And... As noted in my prior post, I don't do the summer/winter tire swap (guess I'm just to cheap and lazy) and my driving experience with the TripleTred has been outstanding. If I were going to do the swap, I would likely go with the Continental Extreme Contact for summer myself.

In any case thanks for the post. Hopefully it will benefit others. Thoughtful replies with real world information are always welcome - even if I choose alternative action.