Ok, wow was not expecting this much discussion, sorry for being absent.
Did you want A/s tyres or Summer tyres?
If I'm paying $180 per tire it had better be a summer tire.
Realistically, my budget would probably max out around $120 per tire plus install fees (~$500-$600 installed), I've been pretty happy with my Kumho Ecsta PS31s, even if I did wear most of the way through them in about 20k miles. I am not doing nearly as much aggressive driving although I will be taking her out in the canyons 2-3 times a month (which is down considerably from when I originally put the Kumhos on). I do have to say, in spite of being a summer tire I was sort of expecting a 460 treadwear tire to last longer than 20-30k miles, so I'm a little confused on Kumho's TW ratings.
I'm pretty biased against all seasons, especially since I can run summers year-round for the most part so unless your recommending a VERY durable or extraordinarily cheap all season that still does well when the road gets twisty I'd say probably just focus on summer stuff in either the OE size, 45 series, or with a 215 section width.
It is worth noting that I love taking my car out in the elements on the rare occasion that they occur, so recommendations would ideally do well in rain.
Falkien 615k+ in a 215/40r17 is now what I am running. I Run stock wheel still also. Came from Firestone Indy 500s and i think the Falkiens are a step up and forward.
Haven't ever driven on a Falken before, how many miles have you put on these so far? Whats the noise level like compared to the Indy 500s? These are just outside of my budget but I'll definitely consider them if I can get at least 25k miles out of them in majority commute driving.
I'm still amazed at the price, you might get good price for fuel but you get dry humped on tyres!!! I think I pay about £100 a tyre or $130. I'd wonder what the real difference between the two are - my PS4 are good in anything but snow and I only fit 15s and winters so I've got rubber to bounce off kerbs, not rims.
Edit. And we don't get the Pilot Sport all season 4.
If I couldn't get what I've got I'd head for Uniroyal Rainsport 5 I think. UK climate is more damp than hot and sunny.
Always found the RE050A to be snappy in the cold. Good when warmed up but they seemed to eat themselves after that. The last set I had managed under 15k and they were shot.
Europe is smart and doesn't do retarded all-season tires because they value driver safety.
When I go to Tire Rack and filter for summer performance tires in the OEM size, only five tires come up. The selection is pretty bad.
That was my initial assessment of tirerack's selection, hence why I came here to see if there was anything else I should be considering. The Fleva's are currently my front runner since apparently Firehawks cost almost $30 more per tire which I don't get seeing as they were about $40 cheaper than they are now only a year and a half ago. I guess inflation IS a bitch.
I just discovered that those Yoko Advan Flevas come in a multitude of OE equivalent diameter sizes: 195/40R17, 195/45R17, 205/40R17 and 215/40R17.