[vegan_mike]

I'm new to this forum and apologize if this has been discussed in the past.

After 3 years and 42K with the original Bridgestone Potenza Re-92's, the time has come for new tires. My local dealer quoted me $78 per tire, I have a mechanic friend who said he could install them much cheaper than Honda and he also recommended I try a cheaper tire.
The low resistance Potenzas have worked great at ~40psi for both fuel efficiency and getting around in Buffalo winters. Has anyone tried other types of tires, and if so, how did they compare to the Potenza's?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[William]

Vegan:

If you want to continue with the OEM tires and have a friend that can install them, they are cheaper at http://www.tirerack.com/tires/index.jsp
__________
Bill

 

[Sparky5501]

Hi Mike, Welcome to the Forum.

Read over this thread it will answer some of your questions.

http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/vie ... highlight=

 

[Holicow]

Don't get Potenza RE950's, unless you don't mind a 20% drop in mpg, although they would probably do better in wet and snow.

If the OEM tires did you well, just get another set. See the above link for the best price. Shipping will run about $35 on top.

 

[Electric CO]

...

 

[Armin]

narrower is better

I second Electric CO, narrower tires work much better on the Insight. No idea why everybody wants to put these really wide gas-guzzler tires on.

I got 145/80R13 snow tires this winter. The car handles just fine (no squirrelling) and the narrower tire neatly compensates for the higher friction you would expect in a winter tire.

 

[vegan_mike]

The tirerack.com prices seem pretty reasonable for the OEM's so that's most likely what I'll end up doing ($48 per tire plus ~$9 shipping per tire).
I'll look into the other options and recommendations first though.
Thanks so much.

 

[Guillermo]

vegan_mike,
You live in Buffalo where it snows, I highly recommend winter tires.
You said your OEM tires did you fine in winter, that simply means you don't know how much more grip you would have on ice and snow with winter tires!
13" civic steel rims and winter tires are cheap. One fender bender and you will be paying huge $$ in higher insurance premiums for years. And not to mention, how much do you value your life?

That's my tire advice for winter conditions.

 

[Rai Ka]

How would one go about getting the VX rims? Can one get them new? If one is willing to spend some money, are there even lighter rims in 13" size? Just curious...

Charles

 

[Guillermo]

Try to buy VX rims used.
They came on Civic VX models in the early 1990s.
You cannot get lighter 13" rims unless you get special racing rims...$$$$$

You can buy 4 VX rims used for less then the price of 1 new one from Honda.
I bought my VX rims from a local motorsports club forum online.

 

[Rai Ka]

Doesn't one have to worry about used rims being warped? [shrug]

Charles

 

[Guillermo]

Inspect the used rims carefully before buying them.
If they are warped even a little it should be very noticeable.
I've bought 6 sets of used rims in the last few years, some for my old car most I bought for my friends. I bought them all from people online that lived locally. All the rims were fine except for a few scratches.