I'll be the first to admit my knowledge of tires isn't very extensive. I know a tire with a smaller aspect ratio will have a rougher ride and produce more noise, but doesn't the quality of ride and the amount of road noise mainly have to do with the rubber compound used? My understanding was that a tire using a soft compound will have a smoother, quieter ride. A tire that uses a harder coumpound will produce a rougher ride and more noise, but will last longer. Is my understanding correct? I'm leaning towards either Michelin or Bridgestone tires because they both boast a 'happy medium' of a comfortable, quiet ride and wear longevity but if anyone can enlighten me to a better solution I'd love to hear your input.

 

The tread design attributes to the tire noise. An all-season tire usually is noisier than a strictly performance tire.

The roughness deals with the sidewall stiffness, because that is how much the tire should flex.

 

Having gone from 17" to 18" there really wasn't that much of a difference. It handled better from having a smaller side wall and it was a little firmer ride but not rough or anything like that. I would go with 18" but I have 235/50/18 and not the Tirerack recommended 45 series.

 

235/50/18 is the stock size for the 7th Gen SS.

 

The wheels on my Monte are 16". I was thinking that stepping into a 17" wouldn't impact the ride quality too much, but going to an 18" might. With the 17" I plan on running a 225/55R17 tire size. I sent a couple of emails out on Thursday so I can try to determine how long it will take to get the wheels. Hopefully I'll have a answer by mid-week...

 

THose look good, but with your car being white, why not go with something that has some black or something in them?

 

I considered wheels with black/silver/argent accents, but didn't find any that I really liked. It won't be in the near future, but I am also thinking about a non-white paint job. I think the metallic burnt orange GM used on the Cobalts and SSR vehicles would really bring the body lines of the Monte to life.

 

did you just say 7TH GEN ?¿?¿?


here are the ones I was referencing earlier...



Love that color . . . only bad thing is it's the color of UT and i'm NOT a texas fan Almost got a Grand Am GT that was that color until i found my 02. I've come across a couple colorado's that are that color too and gawk every time i drive past em lol.

 

We refer to the 06/07 as 7th Gen here :p

If you don't like it, you can... go... idk

 

I like the style, and would look great on any other car than mine, as I have gold trim. I don't like the mixture of chrome and gold on the Deuce. I voted for them.