The short version of my question is "what are good tires for my 2004 LS430 that won't wear out in 20,000 miles?". But there is a longer version and I am posting this on both the general LS board and on the LS430-specific board.
My 2004 LS430 is now about 2 years old with 22,000 miles. The factory Dunlops were pretty well worn when I pulled off the Nokian snow tires last spring. So I went to NTB to buy Michelins but the guy talked me into a cheaper (price) "Cooper Sigma" tire. Well, that was a mere 4,000 ago and the tires are LITERALLY worn by half....they started with 11/32nds and now have about 6 32/nds. IN JUST 4000 MILES!
So the manager at NTB tells me that the tires are "V" rated and that even if they give me a different brand (for yet more money, of course!), they'll wear fast too. My comment to him is my question for you all:
This is Pittsburgh. Up and down hills all day. Take my kids to school and wife to the supermarket. I don't do "touring". I want a REAL WORLD tire for city driving (vehicle has never been on a trip!) that will get, if I am not asking too much, at least 30,000 miles in, I admit, hard driving.
What happens if I don't get "V" rated tires? Will lightning strike? Will the car disintegrate?
What do you Lexophiles recommend?