I usually start my research at Tirerack.com and I thought those who are also looking to get new tires shortly could benefit from my time and effort. My current setup is the early 350z track rims.

F 235/40 ZR18
R 245/40 ZR18

I currently run the Kumho Ecsta SPT, which seems to be a very common tire. I have no complaints with this tire what so ever. With my next set of tires the first think I’m taking into consideration is price, secondly a combination of treadwear & performance, and a close third is side wall appearance or looks. I’ve narrowed my choices down to two tires.

Current Tire Specs:

Kumho Ecsta SPT 235/40ZR18
320 AA A (320=Treadwear AA=Traction, A=Temp)
Tire Weight: 26lbs
Price: $127

245/40ZR18
320 AA A
Tire Weight: 27lbs
Price: $140

Prospect Tire Specs:

Kumho Ecsta ASX: 235/40ZR18
420 AA A
Tire Weight: 24lbs
Price: $127

245/40ZR18
420 AA A
Tire Weight: 26lbs
Price: $140

Or

Continental ContiExtreme Contact: 235/40ZR18
400 AA A
Tire Weight: 21 lbs
Price: $127

245/40ZR18
400 AA A
Tire Weight: 25 lbs
Price: $131

I’m leaning towards the Continental because, #1 treadwear is higher than current tires, #2 the actual weight of the tire is lighter than the ASX. Total weight saved = 8 lbs compared to ASX, #3 Customer reviews give a slight edge to Continental, #4 when buy 4 Continental tires totaling more than $500 you receive a Magellan Roadmate 1200. I went to ebay.com to see what they are going for and you can look to retrieve +- $100. The only hump I have to get over is the appearance of the side wall. Am I weird that bothers me or do others consider what the side wall looks like when purchasing new tires?

Well, I’m looking to spend $516 on tires alone, minus hopefully $100 from the sell of the Magellan Roadmate. The Magellan Roadmate specials is from 4/7/08 – 6/16/08.

Hope this info comes in handy for some.

No, you aren't weird. That sidewall is hideous.

Based off of the sidewall alone, I like the SPT's the best. The tread pattern also looks better (compared to the ASX's)
I wonder if their is a performance sacrifice for going on the longer tread wearing ASX's.

You say you are happy with the SPT's. I would stick with them.

Hi
Where I get Continental ContiExtreme Contact: 235/40ZR18 for $127 ?

I am driving on spare tire now.

Thanks a lot

I got those prices at Tirerack.com. If you get 4 tires totalling more than $500 by 6/16 you get a Magellan Roadmate 1200.

The sidewalls in that pic look way too busy, but in person I don't think it looks as noticable as in the pic ( or maybe it's just I don't pay that much attention to them )..

And for the record, they seem to be a decent tire..

My wife has them on her Altima SE-R

ContiExtremeContacts are decent. For the price, good performer and a pretty good value I think. I run them as my winter tire because I don't see a lot of snow where I live so I was more concerned with sub freezing dry traction and sub 40 wet.

You can buy stickier tires, but not at that price range, not in an all-season. i still think the Michelin Pilot AS is the best all-season performer, but its like twice the price. And they've got nothing on a summer tire for warm, dry performance.

The sidewall isn't great, but it could be worse. I really don't notice it that often.