New Tire Advice

I want to purchase 2 new tires. My TM takes 13" tires. Big O want's to sell me some Goodyear Marathons for $90 each. (I assume they ar ST Radial since that is what I am replacing)

The mfg year is mid 2006 on one and Oct 2006 on the other. Is it reasonable to want a more recent mfg date?

Is it worth having a lift kit installed and going to a 14" tire?

Cheri (who is fed up with blown tires)