I have a 1996 GT with the 17-inch wheels. I absolutely HATE buying new
tires for this car! They are SO expensive!

I just replaced the tires (again). I noticed that the outside edges of
the old front tires were very worn down...they looked like I had been
taking hard corners or something. (I don't do this...the car is
strictly a commuter car) IS THIS NORMAL WEAR FOR Z-RATED TIRES?

But wait, there's more!

I decided to get my front end checked and aligned. The mechanic calls
me into the service area to look at my car. (This is NEVER good
news...don't you hate it when it happens?) He has the car jacked up on
the alignment platform. He grabs the driver's side front wheel and is
able to wiggle it around. There is approximately 3/8 of an inch of
play. He tells me that the inner tie rod end is loose and will have to
be replaced. I ask if the passenger side is just as bad and he says it
can be wiggled too, but not as much as the driver's side wheel. I ask
if the car can still be aligned and he says yes. I tell him to just do
the alignment and I will save up for the additional repair.

I get the car home and get out the car's jack and I try to do the same
thing with each front wheel. Sure enough, the driver's front wheel
wiggles a bit and the passenger side wiggles too, but not as much.

MY QUESTION: Is this normal for the front wheels? Also, is the inner
tie rod end at fault, or could this be another loose/worn part like
say, a wheel bearing (I hear no noise)?

Any help will be MUCH appreciated! Thanks!