Tires FEDERAL or Maxxis

They're fantastic for DE's / non-competition for all the reasons you list. I 100% recommend for HPDE for both performance and bang-for-buck. Pros: -They last a very long time compared to every other R compound tire out there (I've run Toyo, Hankook, Hoosier, etc etc.) -Cheap compared to other 100 treadwear tires. They ship straight from Maxxis and come with a T-shirt. -Not a lot of fade, both during a session and over multiple heat cycles -They give you a lot of feedback and tend not to snap loose

I use them on my 240sx, if you are just autocrossing for fun and to gain experience they are great, but not competitive compared to other tires legal in street/stock classes.

I second the Federal 595 RSR.

+1 they look like correct for a Jeep tire vs everything else out there and I'm pretty happy with them over the last 15000 miles or so.

Maxxis makes pretty durable tires. High roller rolls a little slow but grips well, Ardent rolls pretty fast and offers decent grip.

I am a big fan of the Crossmarks. They are definitely not as grippy as something like the Ardent, but they are very, very fast.

Here are some of the 165/40-16s Federal 595 EVO I just picked up. The wheels are RH Classics 16x7.5 these tires (like most Federals) run a full size wide, so they run like a 175. They also stretch more round, less "quarter pipe" like a Nankang. I'm not a huge fan of the flames, but they ride nice and at least they'll wear off the tread. haha

The federal rsr 595s I'm using on the rse05s hold up much better at the track.

One of the front tires is leaking a small amount of air (5-10psi/ month) out of the valve stem and one rear lip is bent but still holds air.

these tires ride like ****. obviously. and your roads are no worse than anyone elses.