My experience has been that tires with an aspect ratio of 75 nearly always have the best prices.

So for example, on an Xterra with 265/70R16 stock tires, you can usually save some $$ by purchasing 265/75R16 or 255/75R16 tires when you need to buy new tires. Nearly always these two tire sizes with their aspect ratio of 75 will cost less than the stock tire with the aspect ratio of 70.

This is, of course, when you compare tires of the same brand and tire type. Michelin tires with an aspect ratio of 75 will probably be more expensive than the General Grabbers with the 70 aspect ratio.

With the 265/75R16 tires you will gain .5" of height but your speedometer will be slow by 3.4%. In other words, when your speedo says 60, you will be going 62 (compared to the stock 265/70R16 tires.)

The 255/75R16 tires will gain you only .2" of height and your speedo will be slow by 1.5%.

So this is one way to "upgrade" your vehicle's ground clearance and you can save some $$ in the process.

I know the topic of tire sizes has been covered many times here but I have yet to see anyone point out this simple $$ saving tip when buying tires for any vehicle.

Dave

interesting bit of market analysis.

Uts even cheaper if you swithc to 15 inch rims. i payed 104 dollars a peice for my intercos. thats compared to 177 a peice last year for BFG's on 16 inch rims.