I have a 94 GXE w/ stock suspension and some really ****ty 205/60R15's that the previous owner put on. Can anyone recommend a good tire that I can get for under $350-ish for the set? My primary concern is handling. Thanks in advance.

 

Go to www.tirerack.com and search for the right size for the Max (205/65 R15). You could go 205/60 if you want, but you will be going slightly slower than what your speedo reads.

In the Max's size, they have lots of choices for pretty high performance tires ranging from $50 to $70 each, so that should fit you budget. For example the Yokohama AVS Intermediate for $70, which is a serious summer-only tire. Read people's reviews of tires too - makes for fascinating reading.

 

I forgot to mention I need all-seasons. I live in Oklahoma, where we get every kind of weather, but not enough ice and snow for me to justify having both summer and winter tires.

 

I've been asking this question myself recently. Although I have yet to purchase the tires, the tires I am considering getting are Dunlop SP Sport A2. It has AA traction rating, A temperature rating, H-speed rating and good treadwear rating (420).

Take a look at http://www.dunloptire.com

 

After some looking I got the Bridgestone Potenza RE950.
Tire Rack rating was great and living in PA I need something for all year round weather.
Had a couple sets of Dunlop D60A2's but was not impressed so I really didn't want to try the Sport A2.
Talked to the guy at Firestone and he has a 91 SE and actually went to a tire rating seminar and drove 3 cars with 3 different tires.
He by far picked the RE950's and bought them for his car.

I have been very impressed with them so far on my 92 SE 5 speed.
Another guy on pgh-maximas.com just got them too.
http://www.pgh-maximas.com/forum/

 

Like the other person's reply, I recommend the Dunlop Sport A2. I have read reviews on these(I am in process of putting a set on my 93) and everyone says the same--excellent performance(dry), excellent rain(little or no hydroplaning) and pretty descent in snow. They have a 50,000 mile warranty on treadwear, so they should last pretty good. Do not even consider Sumitomo tires(subsiderary of Dunlop) because I am currently running those and when brand new, you had to be extra careful in rain or you would be all over the road and they wear uneven. My opinion is that they are a cheap tire. Of course, I only gave about $50per tire and the A2's are about $65-70. I think you will be happy with the A2's and hopefully I will be too.

 

I had a set of Dunlop D60A2's on my old N/A RX-7 and I felt that they were OK. They were a good all round tire, but they only lasted ~25k miles. (ok, they had a few autocrosses on them too :-) ) If you are looking for ultimate in grip I would look elsewhere. The D60A2 doesn't seem to have a very stiff sidewall... which will also reduce steering response. The Michelin's that I had on the N/A RX-7 before the D60A2's had better steering response but they didn't grip at all... (they were low end Michelin's that the previous owner had on it)

Good luck,

 

I had a set of Dunlop D60A2's on my old N/A RX-7 and I felt that they were OK. They were a good all round tire, but they only lasted ~25k miles. (ok, they had a few autocrosses on them too :-) ) If you are looking for ultimate in grip I would look elsewhere. The D60A2 doesn't seem to have a very stiff sidewall... which will also reduce steering response. The Michelin's that I had on the N/A RX-7 before the D60A2's had better steering response but they didn't grip at all... (they were low end Michelin's that the previous owner had on it)

Good luck,

 

I can vouch for the RE950's - I have them on my 92se auto and driving home after the installation, I had to brake hard in the pouring rain. It felt like the ground was dry. Handling is much improved over my old Cooper Cobras too.

 

Yokohoma AVS dB in 225/60VR15. Those tires are awesome. They don't mess up your speedometer reading, cost $71 from tirerack, and are rated as Ultra High Performance all seson. You get the enhanced traction that a wider tire offers and you don't have the poor ride quality of a low profile tire.

These tires are outstanding. They have never let me down and I drive like an idiot sometimes. You will not be disappointed. My Maxima with those tires and the suspension mods I did handles very well for a 10 year old sedan. Best of all, as the name implies, they are QUIET!.