New Tires?? What do I buy??

rip78sc · rip78sc's Garage

Alright let's here it - who has the best tire? I have a stock 78 SC Targa and need to replace the tires - it's a little more than a daily driver. I currently have Yokohoma A-509 (no longer available) and I will not be tracking the car (at this time anyway.) What is the best bang for the buck?

Thanks in advance,
Rob

earlyapex · 12-30-2004, 06:18 AM

Are you looking for an inexpensive tire with good performance or are you willing to expand your budget a bit? I have SO3's on my care and find to perform very well and comfortable to boot.

jmohn · jmohn's Garage

The ever popular "which tires should I buy" question.

I'm sure you'll get lots of recommendations for SO3's or Pilots (both excellent, but pricey). I'll be replacing the Kumho 712's (I found them to be a good tire at a good price) on my '78 this summer, and I plan to use Yok. AVS ES100's. Right now, for a non-track, daily driver, I think they offer "the most bang for the buck".

Jerry M
'78 SC

rip78sc · rip78sc's Garage

Definitely looking for inexpensive (want to do other upgrades) but don't want a piece of crap either. Who makes the SO3's??

12-30-2004, 07:26 AM

Yokohama ES-100's...very good for the price...and the price is good!

-CKKrause

Wil Ferch · 12-30-2004, 07:30 AM

Bridgestone makes SO-3's.

Yoko ES-100 is v. good at its price point.

something "in between" in price is a Toyo TS-1 which is v. good too.

Wil

kqw · 12-30-2004, 07:31 AM

Bridgestone makes the SO3's

Great tire....

masraum · 12-30-2004, 07:48 AM

The Bridgestone S03 is a great tire, the Bridgestone RE750 is the next step down and is also a really good tire if you don't want the most expensive tire.

The Yoko ES-100's are good tires at a decent price.

RSBob · RSBob's Garage

SO3s - is there an echo?

450knotOffice · 450knotOffice's Garage

I'll add my endorsement for the S0-3's. They are an incredibly grippy tire and I have not noticed any unusually loud tread noise from them either.

I'll be buying another set when mine wear out. Tire Rack seems to offer the lowest prices.

-Scott

italcarguy · italcarguy's Garage

I have the Bridgestone RE730's. They grip alright but not like the Yokohama's. The Bridgestone's are also pretty noisy.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

I think in classes the s03's are right up there in "best class" although I know a few people who have complained about them getting a little greasy in Florida when it's really hot. Up there too are the Michelin Pilot Sports - Dunlop SP9000's Yoko AVS Sports

Next tier is a free for all - Kuhmo MX's Yoko ES100's, Bridgestone 750s.

I personally think that tire technology has come a long way. I'm not sure you can make a bad choice with any of the above - maybe just a "better" one than another...

I like the yokohamas because I have had several sets and they typically need very little weight to balance them.

Oh Haha · 09:18 AM

My .02.
Check out the Fuzion tires from Tire Rack. Excellent price. Not sure about the wear as I have only put about 1000 miles on mine.
The bonus? they are made by Bridgestone.
If these are not what you want then my next choice would be the ES100 Yokahama's.
Where are you at in MI? You can check my tires out if you want to.
Might be nice this weekend so it would be a good excuse to go for a drive. PM me if interested.

BTW--I wish the A509 were still made. Had em on my Z28 and they were great!
Wayne

Emission · Emission's Garage

I liked the A509's too. Nice tire.

My choice is the ES100's.

jbripps · jbripps's Garage

SO3's are very pricey. I recently went with Falken FK-451's and am VERY pleased with them. They are very good in the wet too. They are wearing very evenly and well, and are fantastic on the track too, not that you will be doing that. Very nice looking tire to boot, and here's the best part......the fronts were $75 each and the rears were $95 each, and I have 7's and 9's which are 245/45/16's (rear). I think my fronts are 205/55? Maybe a bit bigger. Anyhow, they are the best bang for the buck in my book. I know many P-heads don't have the Falkens, but they are fantastic. My theory was that if they really suck, I'll toss them. They will wear 2 times longer than the SO3's, and are about half the price.

Below are two websites that carry the tire, and one of them has free shipping, but I think the prices are about the same overall, give or take $10.

http://www.vulcantire.com

http://www.ec-securehost.com/OnlineTires.com/Falken_FK-451.html

Happy New Year and Regards,

SweetE · 12-30-2004, 09:36 AM

Has anybody tried the BFG "G-Force Sport"??
They seem to have a lot of sizes and the prices are fairly low

rip78sc · rip78sc's Garage

Oh-ha ha - I'm near Flint - and I'm dying to drive the P-Car! You West Coast fellas have all the luck!!

Oh Haha · 12-30-2004, 10:17 AM

No kidding, so am I. You should probably post a pic so I know who we are talking to. I am at my office by Bishop Airport now, killing time before heading home.

porschenut · 12-30-2004, 10:28 AM

Nobody ever seems to recommend Pirellis. Aren't they as good as they used to be?

Oh Haha · 12-30-2004, 10:33 AM

I looked at all brands of tires before purchasing mine. I had to get the best price I could so I could remain married to my lovely wifey.
Pirelli's are great tires, just in the "pricey" category.

Michigan guys---check out Kan Rock tires. They are pretty close to most Internet prices. I would take your wheels in to be mounted and balanced, though.