tire selection time? firestones?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,156
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From: KNZY
tire selection time? firestones?
are firestones (sz50) still the best selection for all around driving on a 94 roadster?
looking for good handling, good ride/noise, and decent (so cal) wet handling...
looking for good handling, good ride/noise, and decent (so cal) wet handling...
Racer
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Vandergrift, PA, USA PA
Re: tire selection time? firestones? (davek)
I replaced the original Goodyears with the Firestone Firehawk SZ50EP's on my '94. The ride is much improved, they are a lot quieter and as far as handling, I drive like the senior citizen I am and don't drive hard into the corners or try to break them loose at a given opportunity. I'm very satisfied with the tire. :) :)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 1
From: Naples FL
Re: tire selection time? firestones? (bogus)
i've gone through two sets of the SZ50's on mine. I had worn out GSC's on it when i got it. So i don't have anything to really compare the SZ50's to. But i do plan on going to the Kumho ECSTAs or MXs by the end of the year. MUCH cheaper. But i have no complaints with my SZ50's in regards to wet traction. They're nearly down to the ware-bar and in the rain it's fairly hard to break them loose in straightline. :seeya
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,548
Likes: 3
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member, Inland Empire Chapter
Re: tire selection time? firestones? (bogus)
Kuhmo's
can't beat the $ to performance... super tires. I have 10000 mostly city miles, and they are great.
can't beat the $ to performance... super tires. I have 10000 mostly city miles, and they are great.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 12,182
Likes: 1
From: Partying with the Cowboys cheerleaders in Mt. Olive, New Jersey
Re: tire selection time? firestones? (bogus)
Kuhmo's
can't beat the $ to performance... super tires. I have 10000 mostly city miles, and they are great.
can't beat the $ to performance... super tires. I have 10000 mostly city miles, and they are great.
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
From: Fisherville Kentucky
Re: tire selection time? firestones? (CoolVette86)
Check into the Falken Zieks. They are very comparable to the Firestones, they have the rain channel in center with angled treads also. Noise is low, handling is great. I have had them on my vette for a long time, now only on fronts due to putting on 11's. Will get a lot of mileage out of them also. I got them at the local Firestone dealer, not sure if Tire Rack has them or not. Price is not bad either.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 3
From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
Re: tire selection time? firestones? (davek)
Go to the Tire Rack website and look up the comparisons.
I put the SZ50's on my daily driver, a 1994 Tbird Super Coupe, and I am very satisfied with their performance. Wet or dry, these tires stick. There was a comparison published and the SZ50's won. Even better was the price: $49 each for 225/60-16.
Only compaint is they will last only about 20k miles. But the Tbird only goes about 8k miles a year, so who cares.
But I understand the SZ50EP's replaced the SZ50's and have a longer tread life.
I put the SZ50's on my daily driver, a 1994 Tbird Super Coupe, and I am very satisfied with their performance. Wet or dry, these tires stick. There was a comparison published and the SZ50's won. Even better was the price: $49 each for 225/60-16.
Only compaint is they will last only about 20k miles. But the Tbird only goes about 8k miles a year, so who cares.
But I understand the SZ50EP's replaced the SZ50's and have a longer tread life.
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 589
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From: Campbell CA
Re: tire selection time? firestones? (davek)
What kind of driving do you do?
(I've not run the firestones myself)
PUSH THE ENVELOPE: Michelin Pilot Sports, Bridgestone SO3 PP
SPIRITED WITHIN LIMITS: GoodYear Eagle F1's, Kumho Exsta, Yokohama AVS Sport
SPIRITED SORTA: Yokohama AVS Intermediate, Dunlop SP 8000
CRUISING: Anything you feel like putting on the car.
Kumhos are the best bang for the buck, but they don't grip as well as the Michelin or bridgestone (but they cost 3x as much). Really focus on how you drive, and then put the best rubber to fit your needs on.
(I've not run the firestones myself)
PUSH THE ENVELOPE: Michelin Pilot Sports, Bridgestone SO3 PP
SPIRITED WITHIN LIMITS: GoodYear Eagle F1's, Kumho Exsta, Yokohama AVS Sport
SPIRITED SORTA: Yokohama AVS Intermediate, Dunlop SP 8000
CRUISING: Anything you feel like putting on the car.
Kumhos are the best bang for the buck, but they don't grip as well as the Michelin or bridgestone (but they cost 3x as much). Really focus on how you drive, and then put the best rubber to fit your needs on.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 0
From: Yakima WA
Re: tire selection time? firestones? (davek)
I opted for the T1-S Toyo's. More money, but really nice grip. I am very pleased w/them. But, if I didn't have the $$ to put out for the Toyo's, I would have went w/Kumoho's.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,227
Likes: 0
From: Corona CA
Re: tire selection time? firestones? (davek)
Another vote for the Firestones. Great traction, wet or dry, quiet and nice ride. I had older Bridgestones, circa 1996, and they were like driving on ice when it rained, I couldn't drive over 50 in the rain even in a straight line. The Firestones made driving in the rain almost as easy as driving when it was dry. The SZ50EPs will last longer than the older version.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 582
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville, GA
Re: tire selection time? firestones? (rcolling)
I just put a set of Bridgestone RE 730 on my 96....great tire....this is the second set....first set lasted about 30+K I dont really remember when I put them on......great in the rain......little high...184 each for the rears from the Tirerack...... check out the Tireracks site...they have a a feedback section thats pretty good...plus lots of good info on each tire......I thought about the Firestones but just liked the looks of the Bridgestone better........... :seeya
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 21,094
Likes: 282
From: Phila., PA burbs
Re: tire selection time? firestones? (Shylor)
I wouldn't put Firestones on a radio flyer much less any automobile.
And your reason would be?
And your reason would be?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,054
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From: Perry Hall MD
Re: tire selection time? firestones? (davek)
Kumho
Just put them on. So for I like them. Price is right. Tire rack ratings are as good or better then most other tires. I agree, wouldn't put Firestone on a wagon let alone the vette.
Just put them on. So for I like them. Price is right. Tire rack ratings are as good or better then most other tires. I agree, wouldn't put Firestone on a wagon let alone the vette.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Matawan NJ
Re: tire selection time? firestones? (jfb)
I wouldn't put Firestones on a radio flyer much less any automobile.
