Tire Opinions

[jcgranato]

I am going to replace te tires on my 1985 Targa. They are 205/55-16 and 225/50-16. My question is which should I buy.

To give some back ground, I live in NC, do not drive in snow and rarely in the rain, I drive the car very aggressively and am considering a couple track days a year. I would like to have great performance along with a nice ride.

Here are the two I have narrowed it down to:

Michelin Pilot Sport A3
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport+A%2FS+3+%28H-+or+V-Speed+Rated%29

and

Hankook Ventus S1 Noble
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Hankook&tireModel=Ventus+S1+noble2

Thanks in advance.

[Cajundaddy]

Good choices if you drive in all seasons and want long-lasting rubber.

If you are willing to trade tire wear and winter driving for massive dry grip, give these a look:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Hankook&tireModel=Ventus+R-S3

I cannot say enough about these tires on street or DE track days.

[Roswell]

I have the Michelins on my daily driver, a '88 targa, and could not be more satisfied.

[86FLATSIX]

Bridgestone RE970AS
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+RE970AS+Pole+Position&frontTire=055WR6RE970PP&rearTire=25WR6RE970PP&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

Bridgestone RE11
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+RE-11&frontTire=055VR6RE11V2&rearTire=25VR6RE11V2&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

[scotiagreg]

+1 Bridgestone RE11

Great on the street or track !!

[darrin]

there are a lot of threads on this topic -- imo, the underlying issue when choosing between sticky performance summer tires and all season tires is whether you anticipate driving the car a lot when it's under 40 degrees.

Since summer tires get quite hard at or below this temperature, they're not going to be a good match if you anticipate enjoying your car in colder weather and you should probably focus on all season tires.

OTOH, if you're only going to be driving in warmer weather, there's little upside to an all season and you should be focusing on summer performance tires. I use my '86 targa as a daily driver and have dedicated winter wheels/tires -- I've really enjoyed the last three summers I've driven on my continental extreme contact DW tires (in the same sizes as you) and would recommend that you consider these for their nice balance between performance, ride & noise.

[Cattler]

I just ordered two Pilot Sport A/s3 for my rears...225/50 16s. Their predecessors, 1st gen Pilot Sports lasted 7 years. My 87 is a street car, often driven, with some spirited drives. Great in the summer, rain, and snow.

Dave

[Bob Harriman]

I'm a Yoko fan. Not John's wife of course

Advan A048 Performance Tires | Yokohama Tire Corp.

Advan Neova AD08 R Performance Tires | Yokohama Tire Corp.

ADVAN Sport Performance Tires | Yokohama Tire Corp.

I run the Nitto NT450 myself though. I've been very happy with them

NT450 - Entry-Level All-Season Ultra High Performance Radial

They also have these

http://www.nittotire.com/Tire/Street/nt05

[Mex]

Dunlop Direzza ZIIs are what I use in the warmer months. They ride nicely and really stick, dry or wet. Just don't expect much in the cold.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Direzza+ZII

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

If you are willing to trade tire wear and winter driving for massive dry grip, give these a look:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Hankook&tireModel=Ventus+R-S3

I cannot say enough about these tires on street or DE track days.

I am in Akron, OH. I have purchased two sets of Michelin Pilot all season tires since I purchased the car in 96. I am due for new and I'll be damned if I am buying anything but a summer tire. The squirmy all season Mom f****rs.

I have taken the car out in real snow about twice - mainly for the experience. Screw that. Most 911's are garage queens thru the winter, like mine. How stupid was that. How much rubber (let alone softer rubber) did I leave on the table? Like a friggin square yard?

I like the RE11's but Hankook is talking to me as I know they are a bit cheaper.

Whispering Pines, North Carolina? Just slow down when it rains and get tires meant for your car.

[O' yeah"74]

I'm also curious with people's experience regarding thier tires, as I plan on buying new tires in a week or two. This is the exact tire set up on my '74.

Anyone have feedback on the Yokohama S Drive? They look nice for the price. I'm also contemplating the Hankook Vetus S1 noble.

[Tidybuoy]

I would avoid Yokohama S-Drives. I recently put a set on my car and it is scary at speeds above 80mph. Of course I still do it often, I pay attention and hang onto the wheel tight.

I had good luck with Bridgestone Potenza RE11 but they no longer make for my narrow mid-year. I can still get Potenza 760 Sports; they are not as great as the RE11 but still a very good handling and riding tire.

[Arne2]

I do drive mine year around, and it's too cold for Summer tires here a good part of the year. All seasons are necessary for cold temps, whether you drive on snow and ice or not. (For the record, I don't. Porsche stays in the garage if it's that bad.)

As for the softer feel of all seasons, that is true. Although, the early reviews on the new Michelins (the Pilot A/S3) indicate that they feel and grip more like a Summer tire. Not so good in snow and ice, but again, I don't need that. Just the cold weather capability.

I plan to get a set of the Michelins later this Spring.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Arne2

All seasons are necessary for cold temps, whether you drive on snow and ice or not.

Makes sense. I'll risk it and go with summer tires.

[nineball]

i have a set of the ventus rs-3 for track days and love them. my decision was based on getting as close to an r compound as i could while still being street-able. i can drive the hour and a half down to mid-ohio and run the crap out of them on the track. as many have said they are not to be used when it is below 40, but much like bob my car is never out for the winter (due to salt). for non-track usage during the spring/summer/fall i run yokohama advan something-or-other and they do the job but are no where near as sticky as the hankooks.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by nineball

as many have said they are not to be used when it is below 40

The bummer is that it will then cut into driving time and 40 degrees is an awesome driving temp for the engine.

In NC, you wait a few days and it's in the 50's. Maybe not this winter. :-)

[Cajundaddy]

Hankook RS-3s are indeed very close to R-comp performance while lasting much longer and being reasonably good in summer rain. I regularly run both Hankook and Nitto NT-01 at the track and there is only about 1 second difference in lap times. The Nittos are good for about 2k miles while the kooks are good for 6-8k miles depending on driving style. As a street tire the kooks are phenomenal in the canyons and braking distances are much improved over my former PS2s.

There are other tires in this class including RE-11s and Dunlop Star Specs but so far I am completely sold on RS-3s. If you want massive grip and don't need a tire to last 20k miles, or regular use below 40F, one of these tires should be on your short list.

[OsoMoore]

I have the Hankooks up here in Milwaukee. It is my DD, with mostly dry but occasional rain. No snow.

They have been great. Good grip even if I got caught in a downpour.

[JQ911]

I haven't changed since I bought my Hankook Ventus V12s. It's my 3rd winter on it. I don't drive as aggressive as you guys but during winter I use it only when snow has been cleared on the road. Just like today its 12 F here and I'm using it. It only sucks coz it rubber feels hard on the road under this temps. Oh shifting sucks too in the first few minutes. ehehehe

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

while the kooks are good for 6-8k miles depending on driving style. As a street tire the kooks are phenomenal in the canyons and braking distances are much improved over my former PS2s.

There are other tires in this class including RE-11s and Dunlop Star Specs but so far I am completely sold on RS-3s. If you want massive grip and don't need a tire to last 20k miles, or regular use below 40F, one of these tires should be on your short list.

I am not a racer and I have not learned car control near any limits. I mean, if the A/S tires schreech around a corner, I require people to refer to me as Aryton the rest of the day.

I just want to feel a summer tire one time on my car. I don't know the difference but I do think I am in for a treat, even with peppy driving being my max.