this is just my opinion, but for DD use i say pilot super sports. They're cheap, warrantied for 30k miles (i think) and more than enough for your DD needs. Now for track, any of the options listed would be fit.

 

If anyone needs some stock 235s lmk

 

Even if you don't autox or track drive, I believe in getting good sticky tires for DD. It does help in those emergency situations.

 

I think I'm going to go with the PSSs

 

You won't go wrong with the PSS's. Additionally, it's wiser to actually use 17 inch wheels instead of 18. Tires cost about 20 to 60$ more each when going from 17 -> 18..

MPSS

Tire Rack

235/45/R17 (142$ each - doesn't include shipping, sales tax?)

A Costco member?, you can get the Michelin Pilot Super Sports from Costco Online, and get it shipped / installed at your local Costco.

Costco

235/45/R17 (139.99$ each - includes shipping)

They have a much better price than tire rack for the MPSS, and they usually have 60$-70$ cash rebate every other month (flip flops between the tire brands they sell)..

1) Tire Rack charges shipping, but no sales tax
2) Costco has free shipping, but charges sale tax.
3) Costco charges only 15$ per tire installed.
4) Both have Road Hazard Warranty included.

BTW, have you looked at the Bridgestone Pole Position S-04s? You'll probably save 100$ going with these tires which you can end up using to beef up the rest of your suspension. The WRX guys have KONI YELLOW's available, and when coupled with some good springs (Swift's), along with Sway Bars, Endlinks, and Performance Alignment should be quite formidable. More bang for the performance buck vs Height Adjustable KW V1's.

 

Isn't his stock wheels 18?

 

I thought he said he had a 2013 WRX which should be using 235/45/R17 tires and was planning on going with 18s. I'm arguing that he should go for 17 inch wider wheels for an upgrade instead because it's usually cheaper to get tires for 17' wheels in general even at the same width and overall tire diameter.

18 inch tires are generally more EXPENSIVE than their 17 inch counterparts - for literally no performance gain. Drives worst on the roads too as you feel all the ruts on the road due to less sidewall.

Only time I would get tires from Tire Rack is when they have an exclusive (DII Star Specs, Hankook RS3) or if I blow one of my tires as they offer a "shaving" service.

 

235/45/R17's have an overall tire diameter of 25.32 inches
255/40/R17's have an overall tire diameter of 25.03 inches. (1% less than stock).
265/40/R17's have an overall tire diameter of 25.34 inches.

Speedo shouldn't be affected (negligible), need 8.5 -> 9 inch wide for 255, or 9 -> 9.5 inch wide for 265.

If you are really dead set on going "wide", then snag a 17 X 9 inch wheel along with 265/40/R17's. The save the rest of your money to beef up the rest of your suspension instead of going +1 (wheel will be more expensive, tire will be more expensive - heavier wheel too!) - definitely much harder time finding 265/40/R17 tires though (lot less options available).

Easier to find good tires for 255/40/R17's size, which means you have access to Dunlop DII Star Specs, Hankook R-S3v2, Federal 595 RS-R, Michelin Pilot Super Sports, and Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position

 

275/40 is also a common size

 

no way there's a warranty for 30k I can't see that tread wear rating with how soft they are making it past 30k.

 

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

 

+1 for the PSS. I have them on my 11 STI and have put three track days and a year of DD into them (one of those days had a lot of track time at Thunderhill). Could probably get another track day out them -- heat cycling more an issue than tread ablation.

Not considered the stickyEST tire out there, but you might be surprised at just how grippy they are, and they're a great DD tire.

 

255/40/R17 on 17x9 wheels

Federal 595 RS-R's, 99$ each - 140 thread wear rating. Not a daily driver though, but slap them on some 17x9's and take it to the track.. Keep your stocker size for the daily.. (Note: they run wide, so very close to 265's)..

Tested on an EVO here.

 

holy **** that thread is old

 

Pretty old but tested at that exact size (255/40/R17s) on a car that's AWD with similar weight and performance (well, that EVO9 was making 370 WHP).

Pilot Super Sports were released on end of 2010, and Potenza S-04 Pole Positions were released at around that time.. Most tires we get now were released several years ago..