Another tire question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 147
From: dalton ma
Another tire question
I am a new '04 owner (last week). Came with Michelin Sport tires.
The problem ? The fronts are almost new, the rears are BALD. My problem is deciding weather to replace the rears with more Michelin's for $750.00 +/- or go cheap and buy something like Coopers for around $400.00 This is a "cruise car", no track time and only 2 or 3 thousand miles a year. Opinions ??? Thanks, Bob C
The problem ? The fronts are almost new, the rears are BALD. My problem is deciding weather to replace the rears with more Michelin's for $750.00 +/- or go cheap and buy something like Coopers for around $400.00 This is a "cruise car", no track time and only 2 or 3 thousand miles a year. Opinions ??? Thanks, Bob C
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,794
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From: Brighton MI
IMO it isn't a good idea to mix and match tire types on the street. People do it and if you never push your car or drive in limited traction situations, you can probably get away with it. I still wouldn't do it.
If the fronts are in great shape and not very old, I would put the same Michelins on the back. If they are old, buy 4 of whatever you want.
If the fronts are in great shape and not very old, I would put the same Michelins on the back. If they are old, buy 4 of whatever you want.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Buffalo Texas
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Team Owner
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Tires last a long time. If you are in this for cheap....a Corvette may not be the right car.
However, you seem to be concerned about the 350 dollar difference between the Right tires that match the fronts and turning your Corvette into a Sanford and sons car.
If you consider New Michelins to match the front, and your cruise only style, these tire will last ten years. That's an extra 35 dollars a year to have the right tires on the car.
If cruising is your style, you want the car to look right. If its a grocery getter, then put anything on there. My opinion.
Bill aka ET
However, you seem to be concerned about the 350 dollar difference between the Right tires that match the fronts and turning your Corvette into a Sanford and sons car.
If you consider New Michelins to match the front, and your cruise only style, these tire will last ten years. That's an extra 35 dollars a year to have the right tires on the car.
If cruising is your style, you want the car to look right. If its a grocery getter, then put anything on there. My opinion.
Bill aka ET
Team Owner
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
OK.. knewblewkorvette
let me clarify... most people I know who like to cruise, like to show off their car. Attention to detail is part of the show off process. If showing off your car is not a consideration, and attention to detail is not part of that equation, then buy tires that will fit your budget better, without any concern for attention to detail.
I wasn't slamming you car with the Sanford and son reference. I was just saying a Sanford and sons car ( truck ) is not something where attention to detail is important.
Bill aka ET
let me clarify... most people I know who like to cruise, like to show off their car. Attention to detail is part of the show off process. If showing off your car is not a consideration, and attention to detail is not part of that equation, then buy tires that will fit your budget better, without any concern for attention to detail.
I wasn't slamming you car with the Sanford and son reference. I was just saying a Sanford and sons car ( truck ) is not something where attention to detail is important.
Bill aka ET
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: orlando florida
St. Jude Donor '15
To answer the OP question without denegrating others along the way, i don't see a need to buy such expensive tires just to let them sit most of their life.
If you care about what people are going to think of you because they see you didn't buy the most expensive of everything for your car, then buy the most expensive.
It's not about keeping up with the jones, it's about what's in your best interest.
If you care about what people are going to think of you because they see you didn't buy the most expensive of everything for your car, then buy the most expensive.
It's not about keeping up with the jones, it's about what's in your best interest.
Last edited by mrr23; Feb 24, 2016 at 03:06 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Carson City Nevada
To answer the OP question without denegrating others along the way, i don't see a need to buy such expensive tires just to let them sit most of their life.
If you care about what people are going to think of you because they see you didn't buy the most expensive of everything for your car, then buy the most expensive.
It's not about keeping up with the jones, it's about what's in your best interest.
If you care about what people are going to think of you because they see you didn't buy the most expensive of everything for your car, then buy the most expensive.
It's not about keeping up with the jones, it's about what's in your best interest.
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Provided the fronts have plenty of tread and are a fairly recent manufacturer date, I'd sell them and get a good set of tires that match on all four corners. I run Hankook Ventus V12 tires and they can be bought for about $600-650 a set. And many times there is a rebate on them. Selling the Michelins would help defray the cost of a new set.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 78
Likes: 5
From: Lawrenceburg Indiana
Put any tire you want on but DO NOT buy Brand C&&pers. I Purchased 4 for my Impala and started pulling to the right. Installer said to get alignment, it was within the OEM specs. The ride was not good either and the fronts were toast within 22,000 miles. Put Bridgestone's on and I'm a Happy Camper! No pull No issues, great ride again. Hankook makes a very good tire for the money if that's of a concern.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
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From: Central Florida
PEOPLE LIKE MATCHING TIRES I personally would never put non matching tires on a car used for cruise ins, I would do it for performance on a high hp car built for strip type acceleration, road racing no. I also would not put cheap tires or wheels on a Vette.... ever. My opinion.
If you don't think matching tires are important try trading in a vehicle worth a good bit with non matching tires and see if it doesn't come up.
It's kind of a big deal to lots of people. I know not everybody agrees but he asked for opinions.
If you don't think matching tires are important try trading in a vehicle worth a good bit with non matching tires and see if it doesn't come up.
It's kind of a big deal to lots of people. I know not everybody agrees but he asked for opinions.
Last edited by Forcedvert; Feb 24, 2016 at 07:27 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 479
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From: Northern Colorado
I am a new '04 owner (last week). Came with Michelin Sport tires.
The problem ? The fronts are almost new, the rears are BALD. My problem is deciding weather to replace the rears with more Michelin's for $750.00 +/- or go cheap and buy something like Coopers for around $400.00 This is a "cruise car", no track time and only 2 or 3 thousand miles a year. Opinions ??? Thanks, Bob C
The problem ? The fronts are almost new, the rears are BALD. My problem is deciding weather to replace the rears with more Michelin's for $750.00 +/- or go cheap and buy something like Coopers for around $400.00 This is a "cruise car", no track time and only 2 or 3 thousand miles a year. Opinions ??? Thanks, Bob C
Last edited by RoninC5; Feb 24, 2016 at 07:46 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 147
From: dalton ma
Thanks all, a lot of good advice and opinions. Based on my annual anticipated mileage and non aggressive driving style I have decided against replacing the bald Michelin tires with more Michelins I don't need that quality of tire to go 3000 miles a year with a top speed of 75-80
However I have decided to replace all four at the same time. As of now I am leaning toward a middle range tire such as the Continental DWS or DWS06 (all weather) and either sell the two near new Michelin fronts or keep them as "just in case" back-up tires
Anyone with really terrible experience with Continentals please voice your concerns to keep me from making an expensive mistake. Bob C
However I have decided to replace all four at the same time. As of now I am leaning toward a middle range tire such as the Continental DWS or DWS06 (all weather) and either sell the two near new Michelin fronts or keep them as "just in case" back-up tires
Anyone with really terrible experience with Continentals please voice your concerns to keep me from making an expensive mistake. Bob C
Last edited by claf; Feb 25, 2016 at 12:39 PM. Reason: brain fade
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,355
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From: Surprise AZ
I tried the all seasons michelins on my ST 3 and found them to be .... Adequate
The pilot super sport is vastly better and I now have them on my ST my VETTE and dad liked them so much we put a set on his Zephyr.
The all seasons were soft in the corners and wore about a third quicker than the pilot SS have. They were also not as good in the rain.
The pilot super sport is vastly better and I now have them on my ST my VETTE and dad liked them so much we put a set on his Zephyr.
The all seasons were soft in the corners and wore about a third quicker than the pilot SS have. They were also not as good in the rain.
Last edited by Nyt_Muves; Feb 25, 2016 at 03:01 PM.