Can't find good tires for my VX

[paulhale]

I have been running Sumitomo HTR T4 P165/70R13 tires from Tirerack.com. They've been a good tire, but are now in need of replacement.

Anyway, I see that Tirerack no longer carries this tire, or any tire at all in this size. What tire would you guys recommend? Switching rims is not an option. I could go up to 175/70R13 I guess, but I still would like to know what tires you all are having success with. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[LeanBurn]

I can find no one that sells that tire...anywhere. With limited options you may have to try a 175 series...Michelin Defender comes in that size, with GreenX technology...$70 off a set now as well. I have them on my Corolla and they are everything I hoped they would be. I will be getting another set for my other car when it is time.

[Daox]

I took a quick stab at it too and what LeanBurn suggests looks like your best option.

[paulhale]

What improvement did you see with the Michelin Defenders?

[2000neon]

I have 155/80/13 Kumho Solus on my VX. They came on the car, but they work great.

[paulhale]

I'll look into that size too. Thanks.

[Ryland]

I've been looking as well and the Defender in 175mm wide seems like the best option if you can't go to 14" rims.

[LeanBurn]

I put a fair bit of kms on my car each year (I have 182,000 kms on it so far). Moving From stock Firestone Affinity S4 (which were complete trash in every category of treadwear, handling and noise) to Cooper CS4 I was quite happy with the improvement in handling as well as the noise was greatly reduced, treadwear also increased greatly. Moving to the Defenders was like moving into an entirely different class as far as noise reduction. They also retained much of the handling properties but were even more smooth riding more refined. With the hope of even more treadwear (one of the highest in the industry) and having GreenX LRR technology I proceed into the warmer part of the year and already my fuel economy looks to be better.

[basjoos]

You can get a set of 14 inch steel "take-off" wheels fairly cheaply. "Take-offs" are the OEM wheels that people trade in when they got a set of chromed bling wheels for their car. Then get a set of Bridgestone RE92 165/65-14 (the original Honda Insight tire) to mount on them. Normally I lose at least 5 mpg when I mount a set of new tires over the mileage that I got with the old worn out tires, but when I mounted the Potenzas, the mileage was slightly better than I got from the old worn out Sumitomos previously on the car and it only got better from there.

[sheepdog 44]

That also makes it easier to attach moondisc hubcaps.