When replacing tires on modern cars, it's generally best to keep the revolutions per mile within 1 or 2 percent of the OEM tires. This keeps the computers and electronics working within the parameters they were designed for. As an example: if the OEM tires were 215/55, you might go to 225/50 with the same wheel diameter. Check the tire description specifications on tirereack.com or discounttiredirect.com to see what they are.
I've had the Continental Extreme Contact DWS tires (195/50-16) on my Mazda Protege5 for the last three seasons with excellent results. Just rotated them last month and they look like they will last another season before the "S" marker is gone. I paid a little over $400 for a set of four installed out the door at Belle Tire, a regional dealer here in OH and MI. I also check tire pressures on both cars monthly to make sure they are properly inflated.
I've had the Continental Extreme Contact DWS tires (195/50-16) on my Mazda Protege5 for the last three seasons with excellent results. Just rotated them last month and they look like they will last another season before the "S" marker is gone. I paid a little over $400 for a set of four installed out the door at Belle Tire, a regional dealer here in OH and MI. I also check tire pressures on both cars monthly to make sure they are properly inflated.