For all-around value... Toyo FZ4's
Last April, when I went to get my stock Bridgestone Potenzas rotated once again, I learned that the very inner edges of both fronts were worn into the cords! My tow-in had somehow gotten severely out of whack and in only about 8,000 miles had destroyed my stock tires, which luckily only had about another 10K left on them anyway. I got Toyo FZ4 Proxes for a total bottom line of $530 out the door (at Les Schwab's). They're 225/50 R15 87V's (speed rated at 149mph). I drive quite a bit too-- about 2600miles a month, and now have about 18K on them. They are fantastic!!!!!!! Much better on launches (still get a bit of rubber, but spend more time moving forward!) and a world of difference in cornering, and on wet pavement. These are in a class of their own compared to my original Bridgestones (even when they were new). There ARE even better tires out there-- like Goodyear or Dunlop-- but you'll pay a lot more for them. The Toyo FZ4s are definitely a performance tire that won't kill your budget. No matter what ya get, just get them rotated about every 7-8K and they should last a lot longer than the average person's.