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I don't have the cash to get new wheels, so I have to live with the 14" rims, but I can afford new tires. My question is, how much will the handling improve if I get new tires and nothing else? The only mod I've made to my 02 LX is a front strut bar (all my cash goes to my college loans). Thanks.

 
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It all depends on the type of tire you purchase. Some will incease handing but may be made of softer rubber which will make them wear out a lot faster. Don't expect a big difference in handling though, tire do help but springs, shocks , struts etc. will help alot more.

I'd save my money if you don't need tires now and put the money towards wheels or other mods. Just my 2¢

 
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Yeah, I was thinking of doing that for awhile but I am trying to put some money away for some rims. Rims look nice but sometimes I wonder if they are really worth the cash, like I am living in AZ now and tires dont last long for just average drivers it get so hot here. But with relocating again to colder weather I will definately benefit from them, but I totally recommend either saving for some rims or other mods to the car, I hate the firestones too.

Nick

 
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If you went to a lower profile high-performance tire, the improvement would be more than noticeable. Although, you will throw off your spedometer. Your wheel/tire selection will have the biggest impact on your car's handling. Shocks/struts, springs, etc...are for fine tuning.

 
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OK, so that's one person saying that "springs, shocks , struts etc. will help alot more" and another saying "wheel/tire selection will have the biggest impact on your car's handling". So which is it? I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on this. Thanks.

 
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Let me ask you this, if you lower your car, put new shocks/struts, how do you think those stock tires are going to handle? Pretty much the same as before! You can have all the suspension mods you want but if your tires can't get traction and you have big impact absorbing sidewalls, you car is still going to handle like sheite. The wheels/tire selection is the biggest improvement that can be made. Maybe someone can explain it better than me.

 
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Mbow, good point. But I don't want to mess up the warranty, which is why I was thinking about doing just the tires for now, if replacing them would actually make any difference.

 
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I have the stock tires mounted on some rotas right now. So, I can't give you a real life comparison specific to the civic. I know Bartkat has some nicer tires on his stock rims. You may want to send him a private message and ask him for his opinion....

 
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For the money, ease of getting installed, etc, a good set of tires will do more for your handling than any other mods. I would suggest you go up one or two widths and go for some H rated, performance tires. Check out the wet traction and wear ratings and pick a tire with a somewhat aggressive tread that suits your climate and driving style. I guarantee you will notice a vast improvement in cornering with just the new tires. I, personally went with Uniroyal Touring Tiger paws as they handle well, but aren't so aggressive as to be noisy or have poor wet traction.

A few months after I had those tires, I added ProKit springs and Koni shocks, and of course the handling improved that much more. However, I spent over $800 on the suspension mods, as opposed to maybe $200 - $300 for tires. So I suggest you will be happy with better tires. You can use the "tire calcuator" link at the top of the page here to decide what profile to get to keep your revolutions per mile close to your original tires so your speedometer will still be correct.

 
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I absolutely agree with the tires mod as the first mod - if one cannot afford rims. I am on my second 7thGen and I have the stock wheels/tires back on the car. I sold my 16's to a friend and he loves them - but I am going for the stealth look. I put on a set of AvsDb's and left the rims - but at a 195 /60 /15 size. it made a world of difference. I am planning on getting more work done - mostly suspension stuff - and I have the CAI - but other than that the car is stock. it handles better, is quieter, stops better, and no one but me knows the difference.

If you want more info PM me...

jazzy