keithhogan

My '95 is strictly a weekend fun ride and fair weather, so low miles per year. I am about to push the button on a new set of wheels: 17 X 9.5 and 17 X 11.

With an emphasis on dry conditions and handling with reasonable comfort what are the top picks for hp summer tires?

thanks for you input!

chrome spoke

Just a quick response here. Several months ago I put new tires all around on my '93. I mounted 17x9.5 Continental Extreme Contact Sports. They ride smooth, they are relatively quiet, and handle the curves gripping the road like I have never known before. In short they are exclent.

JimLentz

Late last year I had a set of Nitto 555 G2 (2nd generation) tires installed on my '92 and I really like them. I have not driven them in rain if that is a consideration. The G2 is better than the first generation in every way, except shorter tread wear due to the softer and better gripping compound. The price is also very good.

Whaleman

I agree. Best tire for the money. Dan

c4cruiser

I would suggest that you consider using 17x9.5 wheels at all four corners. That will allow you to rotate the tires for better tread life. The 17x11 wheels will have to have a 50mm offset and you could see some rubbing in the wheelwells even with that offset.

You may find it a little difficult to get 315/35-17 tires after awhile; NITTO currently has them in the NT555 and NT555 G2 series. Don't know about other brands but probably a few still have that size. I have the NT555's on my 93 and they ride smooth although the car's suspension is set up for autocross.

The tread pattern on both NITTO models looks like it can handle wet pavement but like other high performance summer tires, be very careful if you do drive the car in freezing conditions. I got my NT555's thru Discount Tire Direct at a very good price and had them mounted at the local Discount Tire store.

jgalfo

I second the Continentals. after 10K miles I still am impressed with them

John

keithhogan

I appreciate the comments. Looks to be split between Continentals and Nitto, and that is helpful.
Great input C4cruiser -- if I had not already purchased the wheels I might have been persuaded to go 9.5 on the rears. Hopefully I will avoid the rub -- did of course get the 50MM offset.
Thanks guys

chipchucker

Do you know what the expected tread wear is on the Nittos?

Thanks

JimLentz

The UTQG tread wear rating is 320, I looked it up and actually better than the original Nitto 555 at a tread wear rating of 300. I thought it was the other way around. http://www.trackhq.com/forums/f296/n...e-review-9331/

haxxx

What rims did you get? I have the OE wheels with 11" in the rear which I believe is 50mm offset. No rubbing issues in my 96.

Mine is also a nice weather cruiser as well. I do about 3,500 miles a year I'm throwing tires out due to age. So I wouldn't worry about 9.5" all around so you can rotate the tires.

keithhogan

Yes - I did purchase the 11" OE wheels with 50MM offset for my rears. Plus I just ordered the NT555 G2's. I also only drive about 3000 per year.

Glad to know that this set up should be good.

Thanks

TA

I'll be purchasing tires soon as well and my requirements are the same as your's as I'm looking for a summer tire with max grip and I'm not concerned with wet weather performance.

My next tires will likely be either Nitto NT05 or Toyo Proxes R888. I'm leaning toward the Nittos as the R888s are technically a race tire (although many use them on the street). Both are also available in 275/35/17 and 315/35/17

keithhogan

Guys - I just mounted my NT555 G2's and absolutely love them. The handling and ride is extraordinary. Thanks for the input, this is a lot of fun. By the way they are pretty darn quite.