GLmajer

Okay. Time to replace the tires on the '94 ZR-1. Old and cracked, not safe anymore. Question is do I spend a ton of money for Goodyears for a car that is only driven 1500 miles per year or a less expensive tire.
Car is not raced or tracked. Basically for show, cruises and caravan's.
Goodyears.................$1200
Kumho Ecsta XC.........$710
Sumitomo HTRZ..........$510
Not much out there to choose from with this tire size.
Anybody with any thoughts on the Kumho's or Sumitomo's?

scholtmj

Nitto makes ZR-1 size tires for a decent price. Tire Rack doesn't sell Nitto for some reason.

Tomcat74

Try Pirell Tries 335/35/17
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 335/35/17
http://www.tirerack.com

Tomcat 74
http://pnwzr1.net

ctgreg

I just replaced the original tires on my LT1 w/ Kimho tires and I really like them. I'm thinking about putting the Kumho Ecsta XS 335s in rear and 285s in front on the 90 ZR-1 I just bought.

Greg

phrogs

Yeah I hate the Sumitomos, they suck I feel they are unsafe in weather and they do not last very long at all.

Could be my driving style but I drove mine everyday and tried them twice.

Love my goodyear GSD3s I just love that tire.

C6FirstVette

Who needs tires.................




Highly recommend GSD3s (as per phrogs recommendation too)>>>



Michael

Aurora40

Do you drive in rain? If not, the kumhos are sticky but terrible in the rain:

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...mparison_tests

In my experience, the GS-D3's are excellent in rain.

ctgreg

Personally, I don't ever drive my Corvettes in the rain; however, I do have Sumitomo HTR ZIIIs on my M3 and I find them to be an excellent tire although I take it really easy in the rain. I've had Contisports, BFG KDWs (both suck) on my BMW and there's no comparison.

In regards to the GYs, I'm sure they're an excellent tire, but I'm just looking for a really good handling tire that's relatively quiet and not concerned w/ wet pavement.

C1ANDZR1

I can tell you from experience, don't get the Sumitomos. I basically gave them away with less than 100 miles on them with another set of wheels.

4CAM LT5

Get the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 tire. They are aewsome in almost any driving condition....and look totally sick, to boot.

C1ANDZR1

Yep. I agree. That's what I have now.

XLR8TIN

GS D3 rears available?

GLmajer

You guys are great. Thanks for all the posts. The guy at the tire dealer was pushing Sumotomo's put I was not sold on them being so cheap. He said the Kumho's where race tires and not for street use, but that is not what I read on the Tire Rack info so I wasn't sure. I will look at the Nitto's next. The car currently has BFG's on it with the backs worn out (I wonder why?!!) and the fronts have cracks between the treads (not safe for over 65 mph!). The car sits most of the time with occasional cruises. But is more fun to drive than my 2000 coupe!

Aurora40

They are sold as a "Extreme Performance" tire. They certainly are even more compromised than a "Max Performance" in that they seem to have zero concern for rain handling. I suspect they will wear quickly too. A friend has them and the rubber feels extremely soft when you press a fingernail into the tread. But they definitely are sold for street use. They are not a competition tire.

But if you don't drive in rain, and you don't put many miles on, who cares about those things? They are almost as cheap as the Sumi's, and should be quite grippy.

The Nitto's might be worth finding the price on as well. There are also some Vredstien tires folks have used.

dbriana

Vredesteins

You can get a set for abour $600, good in wet, dry, and wear also.

AtsZR1

Just my 2 cents...

My son has the kumho's on his LT4 and loves them...I just put the Nitto 05 on my ZR1 and Love them...they are great. I am like you...I do not drive it much...but I wanted a very sticky tire for the drags and for the street...the Nitto's are great.

95ZR1#418

Personally, I can't stand the looks of the Vredestein and GS D3 tread patterns, I wouldn't buy either for that reason. Of course, I haven't seen the other brands tread patterns either, so maybe there is little to no choice for me. I'd like to see the patterns of the Kumo, Nitto, Pirell & Michelin if anyone has to post...

ctgreg

Kumho Ecsta XS: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

solid dobe

GS D3's have served me well.
Has anybody had any complaints with them beyond price? I have kept up pretty well with the Summito's debate, I see people useing the Kumho's (I could not live w/ the rain performance) and a little with the Vredestiens (not for me but I know some really like these & they are a reasonable price considering the rest of the field). I'm just starting to hear people talk more about the Nitto's, so it is good to hear someone is having good luck with them. The Pirellis & Michelins, along w/ D3's (which were on back order at the time) were in the running when I replaced my tires. Both the P... & M...'s looked good and had good reports from owners but both cost a little more than the GY's.
When the GY's were on backorder & people were griping about waiting(me included) ...... DMark(I think) posted up a set of GS D3's stacked up next to a set of Summitos. That was the nail in the coffin for Summito's, at least for me, huge difference in the width. I don't know if it is worth mentioning or not but I have heard D3's actually measure like 335's even though they are marked 315. Can anybody confirm or disallow that?
I try not to get caught in the rain but I knew it was a possibility for me .... so it was easy for me to justify the GS D3's, not to mention, I agree(d) with CE-LT4, they look the best. I have not been sorry....at all. I love these tires.

DMark

Yup in this case size does matter.

Here is the pic that shows how much smaller the Sumitomos are compared to Goodyears. Reckon the GYs cost more because they have more rubber.