I have often said it before, and I will say it again, today, and forever. Here in New Mexico, the dryrot is so bad, it will claim a set of tires within 5 years.

My case is no exception.

5 years ago, I bought these tires (el cheapos), and put them on the Park Avenue:
Douglas Xtra Trac 2 Tire 205/70R15 96T 96T: Tires : Walmart.com

Admittedly, they weren't the quietest of tires, but I have no regrets. They still have around 50% tread left, however dryrot has begun to claim them, and they look like they are starting to take a turn for the worse. My commute consists of 50% 65+mph interstate, however traffic has been known to demand more (sometimes MUCH more) on occasion. With winter coming in (such as it is), wet traction already being sketchy, and dryrot coming for me, it is unwise not to put tires on.

I have considered going for the exact same tires again as there was really nothing wrong with them, and they are cheap. I am not sure how much longer I will have this car around so a tire investment is a low priority. I do also see this tire however:

Douglas Xtra Trac II Tire 215/65R15 96S: Tires : Walmart.com The exact same tire, in a 215/65R15.

So, is it worth the extra $40 to go from a 205/70r15 to a 215/65r15? Any other dirt cheap tire suggestions?

i dont see any difference worth paying for in switching sizes. our trailer tires do that and much less so if you cover the tires when not used. maybe find somewhere shady to park or get tire covers

I wanted to go ahead and throw the final decision in here.

I opted for these:
Douglas Xtra Trac 2 Tire 215/70R15 98T: Tires : Walmart.com

P215/70r15'*. They were actually $1/tire cheaper than the 205'*, and by the time I was out the door, I had just barely cracked $300. In hindsight, I probably could have done a deal for entry level Goodyear at another shop and maybe have ended up in the same ballpark, but I jumped pretty quick on them.

I am not sure if it is the new tires talking, or the new size, but these do not feel like they are looking for an excuse to roll over on the sidewalls, compared to the old set which I couldn't stay off of, especially on those protected right turn and highway on ramps.

The bigger tires have no rub anywhere, and you really can't tell a difference in the looks, although some times the 205'* did look small. You can never go wrong with more rubber on the road though.

Actually, the Douglas tires are entry level Goodyears. (Something I found out from working at Walmart)

I think the slightly bigger tires are better for that car. 205/70s seem too small for a car of that size.

I have cheap walmart tires on my car (Autoguard) and they're holding up better than expected. I'm intentionally pushing them a little harder than the average driver would to test their endurance.

the couple sets i tried started a little loud and by the time they were half way to their warranty they were real loud and vibratey.

most tires made to day will self destruct in 5 to 7 years,

I use used auto tires on some of the farm equipment, and it is amazing how many will just blow out sitting there (many times not even touching the ground),

my dad bought a drill (seeder) in 1946, just after the war, and those tires lasted on that machine one for 46 years and one for 50 years, the tires on my 1952 6x6, there are 10 of them and the back rears were 1952 original tires, and have now replaced about half of them, the Front are 1965 I think, but still reasonable tires,

I buy some for other things and they will lose the tread (at the high speed of 5 mph), and some times even blow out on there own in about 7 years,

there are some brands that are better than other, but there expensive,

since I have a lot of low mileage use trucks and other wheeled machines, tires to day are junk, the old tires were much better for long life,

I don't think today'* tires are junk ... they are just designed for different criteria than the older tires. Today'* tires are designed for traction, handling, road noise and fuel economy, which in most cases mean they are more flexible, and in that sense, weaker than older tires. If you think today'* tires are junk and older tires are better, try putting an old set of bias ply tires on a performance vehicle and see what happens.

yes the design is different, but I do not think that the difference of construction or direction of the cords wrapping is the problem,

today we by science have much stronger cords, and should have formulas that should be superior than the methods and products of 70 years ago,

as stated when a tire self destructs by just setting, when it still "looks good",
I think there is a problem,

yes the design is such that, there is better handling, and more miles, but the over all longevity of the tires are poor if one is a low annual millage user,

If tires last for many years how are the tire makers to make a profit?.
Most modern machinery is designed to last a bit past its warranty and that'* it.
Remember when if your tv/washing machine/fridge broke down you get it fixed and expect years more useful service?.
But mostly we don't want it good anymore, we want it cheap and now. Tires are relatively much cheaper than they were, but they are built down to a price, not up to a standard.

Roger.

You have point! Actually DOT requires tire makers and users to replace the tire every 4-6 yrs from manufactured date. And also we should check for the wheel, and alignment every 5000kms.