I own a 2000 Lexus ES300 Platinum Edition. Living in California, what tires can you recommend? I am not necessarily looking to purchase OE tires.

 

You really have your pick, and lots of tire review sites to help evaluate them. Asian manufacturers have really made sure there are lots of high quality options at reasonable prices.

What I would do, honestly, is work backward from the tire store of my choice.

Tires are the ONLY thing on my car that other people take care of, so I put thought into that. There is one really high-service chain locally (Les Schwab), and they are also the most geographically convenient from me. I start with their inventory and then research the tires in my desired price bracket. Right now, I get the most bang for the buck from “Mastercraft” - which (I am told) is General Tire’s non-union shop value line. Having just put 50k on a set, had free rotations (1/2 the time I do it myself), free re-balancing (needed that part way through), etc., it was great. If I bought value tires online. I’d have had more expense over the lifetime since I knew I would run the tires out and not sell the car. Just a thought to put in your purchase equation.