well if u an't doing no high speed race's i see no problem running a nother tire on it.

 

Discount tire told you that because they want more money out of you. The speed limit is probably only 65 or 70 by you, remind them of that. Or what happens when someone wants snow tires for their GTO?

H is good to 130, V is good to 149 or 150. Pick one of those.

 

actually, they told him that to cover their ass from a lawsuit.

 

Discount tire may also be trying to cover their ass. If you happen to make 1 banzai run past 130 & a tire fails (& you survive), this doesn't allow you to sue them. I've run H-rated tires on mine before. I took them off more because of their lack of traction than their speed rating. Their are some good Z-rated brands for low money.

I'm assuming that you still have the stock P245/45R17 size tires:
Avon Tech M500 @ Tire Rack for $99/ea.
Fuzion ZRi @ Tire Rack for $91/ea.
General Exclaim UHP @ Tire Rack for $81/ea.
Kumho Ecsta SPT @ Tire Rack for $94/ea.
Sumitomo HTR Z @ Tire Rack for $63/ea.
Sumitomo HTR Z II @ Tire Rack for $87/ea.
Sumitomo HTR+ @ Tire Rack for $88/ea.

Hell, the lowest Z-rated tire from Discount tire is the General Exclaim UHP for $101/ea. They offer a $40 rebate for the set. But, that still makes 'em $10 more per tire than Tire Rack. Plus, if you are really broke, Tire Rack has those Sumitomos for $63 bucks.

I had some free time.

 

Why put anything less on? Just because you don't do 130 doesn't mean you should skimp on tire, otherwise the general would put non speed rated tires on it. The Z rating gets you better materials, better performance. Keep in mind that the 245-45-17 size tire is pretty frick'in small for a car as heavy as the GTO.Doesn't it make sense to buy a tire that has better construction?
If you want something that is long lived, check out the m/s rated Falken 329, sold at BigO. It is the only Z rated tire with a 30K mile wear warranty (treadwear rating is 440).
Otherwise, go with any of the tires that sccaGTO posted. Tires are critical to the performance and safety of your car; it is the last area to cheap out. There are people who bought chinese made tires who are now learning that lesson.

"Tire Rack has those Sumitomos for $63 bucks."
So, four of those will cost roughly the same amount as four tanks of gas, eh?

 

Very well put.

 

skimping on speed rating isnt a huge deal....as long as it is in excess of what you plan on doing. an H rated tire is more than 90% of the population needs anyway.

skimping on load rating is a much larger deal

if you are going to go down to a V or maybe even H rated tire, ensure that your load rating for that tire is properly taken care of.

 

HTR ZII's....if you are going to go with summitomo. All their other stuff is pretty low ball.

 

Do you have a state safety inspection? Our state won't pass you if the tire's load range is less than OEM.

 

see, thats rediculous...its like knocking you because your not running 5W30 oil...even though it maybe more advantageous to run something different. What state is that?

 

Well I got some Continental ContiExtreme Contact tires. Total was $420. Out the door was $495.98. Don't know if that is a good deal but they are ZR's and that is lowest I could talk the guy down. Thanks for all your Guy's help/INFO. Now I need to find out what is wrong with my Clutch, Getting grabby? Just my luck.

 

I was in the same situation about a year and a half ago. ended up getting Falken Ziex's at discount tire direct. Love the free shipping they always have. I think they were cheaper when i bought them. FAlken is getting more and more popular by the day. Too bad they dont make any DRs only AutoX as far as I know

 

I've had two chain tire shops put H rated tires on my GTO. If the local tire shop won't do it, go to the next one down the road. They'll probably do it.