Tire Replacement - Help...

[SteelBlueGT]

What did you buy?? I put on my stock 03 GT wheels and used Yoko All Season Unidirectional Avid V4's size 215/50/17 on my 06 GT and they are far better in all ways than those badyear RSA's! Longer life, stickier in turns, better wett handling, and superior ride qualities. Maybe a little harsher ride and a smidge noiser but just maybe and that is comparing brand new badyears with my 30,000 miles Yoko's that are not even 1/3 worn.

[Gut Check]

Unlike this foreign cr...stuff. Get something that says "Made in USA" on the sidewall.
If you don't look at Goodyear Responsedge 215/50-17 (the size this car was meant to wear), you are doing yourself a disservice. Plus they are less expensive than the RSA's (which do stink).

[KingKole02]

I agree with littleblueGT & black_gt_boosty_hh1321, if you haven't already get Kuhmo Esta ASX. They do have all good rating. Like nice on 18's too. Mine where 90 a piece for 18's.

Always check everywhere, also check your manual. Tire rack shows 205/50/17, which I don't believe can be right, I would imagine you GT guys would get 215/50/17 but I wouldn't 100% know without checking a manual first. Our N/A take 205/55/16, so you can see that the GT tire should be a little wider hence 215.

Get rid of those RS-A, you pay for a name thats it. My Badyear Eagle LS cost 75 a piece and were crap. They didn't last me 30,000 and I couldn't drive in the rain (black glass in FL). I had Pirelli P-Zero Neros for 120 a piece and even bald they out preformed the badyears up to 35,000 miles.

[fritz_t_coyote]

quote:Originally posted by Gut Check

Unlike this foreign cr...stuff. Get something that says "Made in USA" on the sidewall.

Thus ruling out Michelin, Dunlap, Pirelli, Continental, Avon...

Maybe you meant "avoid the cheap-a$$ Chinese brands?"

[bados]

Originally Posted by SR-PT4

Falken Ziex 512. Great handling in the dry, and they shed water like a duck. Probably the best bang for the buck all season tire on the market (although I hear they aren't all that great in the snow - for you snow belt readers checking out this thread). Edgeracing.com has great prices on them too - well under $80/tire. If you don't like buying tires online I believe Sears carries them, as does American Tire. Always a good idea to ask if they'll price match.

For comparison:

On my '99 Miata I used to have a set of Kumho Ecsta 711s and they were damn slippery, especially the one time I drove them in the wet. I now have the Ziex 512s on and they hook great, although I must admit it was fun to step the tail end out any time I wanted. Keep in mind this is in a 2300lb rear drive car, not necessarily a direct correlation to a 3300lb front driver, but still..........

On my '92 Camaro RS V6 running a pretty new set of Kelly Chargers there was a specific stop light on the incline of a freeway overpass that I could not pull away from in the wet without breaking the tires loose. Now, with the Ziex 512s, I can floor it and they bite - the car is also in a better state of tune now.

A few of my local PT Cruiser buddies have switched to the Ziex and are thrilled with the handling (especially in the wet), ride and noise level. It should be noted that we don't get a lot of wet here in SoCal, so we tend to get a lot of oil buildup on the streets and a light rain can be treacherous.

For the record, my PT is shod with BFG KDW2 tires. Love 'em.

I have the Ziex's on my PTGT. I need to rotate every 6,000 miles or your front will wear faster than the rears. I had the KDW2's before and are good tires but are a little noisey when worn.