Mid-range alternatives to Michelin PSS

[anotero]

Cali tax is nearing 10% in some places. It's almost 9% for me in the plains. Buying tax free is awesome. I never buy tires locally.

Yeah, it's better to buy in Kern Country vs. LA County. I would buy in Nevada or Arizona, but I'm too far from the state border, so will invariably buy in California.

 

[anotero]

California too expensive to live there

Tell me about it. I'm in CA temporarily. Hope to move back to the East Coast within the next 3 years.

 

[jessiewonka]

Apologies for starting this thread and never returning. I began taking note of what folks were recommending, then fussed over the details and kept putting it off. Then I started laying low during COVID and driving less. But it's finally time to make a choice! Here's what I'm seeing right now at Tire Rack that's in the running (235/40/18 summer), listed by most-to-least expensive:

MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4S $204.99 (here's our baseline for a very nice tire, which btw I paid $186 for in 2016, FWIW)
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...R8PS4SXL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

CONTINENTAL EXTREMECONTACT SPORT $181.99
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...YR8ECSXL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

CONTINENTAL CONTISPORTCONTACT 5P $168.46
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...SPC5XLV2&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

FIRESTONE FIREHAWK INDY 500 $168.46
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...R8FHI5XL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

PIRELLI P ZERO PZ4 $149.91
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=P+Zero+(PZ4)&partnum=34YR8PZ4XL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

GENERAL G-MAX RS $132.99
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...R8GMRSXL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

All things considered, I do think I'm leaning towards the PZ4 or G-MAX RS ($132.99!).