. Gathering data for future buy considerations.
Dirt Cheap Quality Tires?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 137
From: SoCal CA
Dirt Cheap Quality Tires?
(Also on tire section)
As not just a Corvette owner but a high end sports car owner, Im used to seeing the parts for our cars higher than normal when compared to other vehicles. One area I feel that sport car owners have been getting raped on is the price for performance tires. OEM tires for our cars are easily $300-400+ ea and more for some after market tires. Thats crazy, over $1200+ for tires?! So is $250-300 a good price? How about lower? A lot of guys find good buys on Khumos and BFG's for about $255 and up, and those are good tires, but I even got those beat. Last year I became a fan of the General Exclaim UHP. Thats right, a General Tire. Who? Its Generals ultimate high performance tire, and the name fits. I had these on my stock sized C5 wheels and they were great. Great traction, great control and low noise (cant hear with cam anyway). Now That I have a little larger wheels I was looking for some 295/35 r18's and found that General makes the Exclaim in this size (new tire size). So, still a little skeptical I looked at the reviews for all cars and Vettes, most were C5's, and all the reviews were very good. Check them out for yourself at DiscountTires or TireRack. The best part is the price. The 295/35's average $165-200 but Summit has them for $130! So, does more money give you more tire? Can a company whos made their money in commercial and economy tires produce a high performance tire that can compete with the best tires onthe market? Does this mean they have more time to produce a hp tire since its their only one? Im gonna find out and let you guys know, so, have an open mind guys. I should order thm next week and recieve then a few days later. I will take pics maybe vid and keep you guys posted. Michelin PS2's, move aside, the General's coming through.
Side note: 295/35r18 is a new size but Summit and TireRack have them. Stock C5 sizes are easily available at most tire places. I also plan on trying them out at a road coarse early next year to see how they hold up.
http://www.tirerack.com/survey/Surve...ommentStatus=P
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....el=Exclaim+UHP
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/rea...etail&pc=32505
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....el=Exclaim+UHP
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/rea...etail&pc=32505
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
There have been lots of posts about these tires, and cheaper tires in general. You'll get a couple different responses, so i'll run them down for you:
"They're not stock and obviously GM knows what they're doing..."
"You get what you pay for"
"Check back with us in 12,000 miles"
"OH sweet, I'm going to go buy these!!"
"I've got a set as well, good tire!"
"Mine didn't perform as well as tires 4x it's price at the drag strip, so I bought PS2's, they don't either, but they're at least more expensive.."
"Don't you think Goodyear does amazing R&D and that's why it costs more? these are just ripoffs"
"If you cant' afford to put decent tires on your car, don't own a corvette.. costs money to play this game.."
Phew. I think I covered them all. All in all, if you're happy with them, that's awesome, thanks for sharing the unbiased opinion!!
I've got Advan sports on mine right now, and will probably go with KDW2's when these wear out.
"They're not stock and obviously GM knows what they're doing..."
"You get what you pay for"
"Check back with us in 12,000 miles"
"OH sweet, I'm going to go buy these!!"
"I've got a set as well, good tire!"
"Mine didn't perform as well as tires 4x it's price at the drag strip, so I bought PS2's, they don't either, but they're at least more expensive.."
"Don't you think Goodyear does amazing R&D and that's why it costs more? these are just ripoffs"
"If you cant' afford to put decent tires on your car, don't own a corvette.. costs money to play this game.."
Phew. I think I covered them all. All in all, if you're happy with them, that's awesome, thanks for sharing the unbiased opinion!!
I've got Advan sports on mine right now, and will probably go with KDW2's when these wear out.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
There have been lots of posts about these tires, and cheaper tires in general. You'll get a couple different responses, so i'll run them down for you:
"They're not stock and obviously GM knows what they're doing..."
"You get what you pay for"
"Check back with us in 12,000 miles"
"OH sweet, I'm going to go buy these!!"
"I've got a set as well, good tire!"
"Mine didn't perform as well as tires 4x it's price at the drag strip, so I bought PS2's, they don't either, but they're at least more expensive.."
"Don't you think Goodyear does amazing R&D and that's why it costs more? these are just ripoffs"
"If you cant' afford to put decent tires on your car, don't own a corvette.. costs money to play this game.."
Phew. I think I covered them all. All in all, if you're happy with them, that's awesome, thanks for sharing the unbiased opinion!!
I've got Advan sports on mine right now, and will probably go with KDW2's when these wear out.
"They're not stock and obviously GM knows what they're doing..."
"You get what you pay for"
"Check back with us in 12,000 miles"
"OH sweet, I'm going to go buy these!!"
"I've got a set as well, good tire!"
"Mine didn't perform as well as tires 4x it's price at the drag strip, so I bought PS2's, they don't either, but they're at least more expensive.."
"Don't you think Goodyear does amazing R&D and that's why it costs more? these are just ripoffs"
"If you cant' afford to put decent tires on your car, don't own a corvette.. costs money to play this game.."
Phew. I think I covered them all. All in all, if you're happy with them, that's awesome, thanks for sharing the unbiased opinion!!
I've got Advan sports on mine right now, and will probably go with KDW2's when these wear out.
You skipped one...Run flats are too expensive and ride like crap, so I'll stick with my (insert less expensive tire here).
Or, the one I personally use....The car doesn't come with a spare, so I just bend over and pay the Corvette tax, cause it beats either waiting for the tow truck or walking home.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
You skipped one...Run flats are too expensive and ride like crap, so I'll stick with my (insert less expensive tire here).
Or, the one I personally use....The car doesn't come with a spare, so I just bend over and pay the Corvette tax, cause it beats either waiting for the tow truck or walking home.
Or, the one I personally use....The car doesn't come with a spare, so I just bend over and pay the Corvette tax, cause it beats either waiting for the tow truck or walking home.
Crap... sorry, thanks for picking up my slack!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 480
Likes: 16
From: chicago il
Hell i may have to give them a try I have had the goodyear f1s the Khumos mx ( wich are an excellent tire but u cant get the mxs anymore?) In my opinion the Khumos outperformed the goodyears on all levels and 2/3 the price
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,451
Likes: 2
From: East Peoria Illinois
many of my vette buddies and I have used Toyo T1R's in Z sizes and have been 100% pleased. They are great in rain, and have excellent dry traction...and the best part is, they were 780 shipped for 4!!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 354
Likes: 4
From: Grand Ledge Michigan
I am incredibly happy with my Cooper Zeons. Inexpensive, not "cheap". 7,000 miles so far and no problems, good wear. I have not heard one complaint from anyone who has actually ever bought them, only from people who think it's some sort of contest where the more you spend for tires, the better you are. Less than $100 each.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,501
Likes: 1,828
From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I am incredibly happy with my Cooper Zeons. Inexpensive, not "cheap". 7,000 miles so far and no problems, good wear. I have not heard one complaint from anyone who has actually ever bought them, only from people who think it's some sort of contest where the more you spend for tires, the better you are. Less than $100 each.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 137
From: SoCal CA
Great input guys. I know most vetters probably frown on these "cheap" tires but remember, arent our Vettes "cheap" in the eyes of exotic sport car owners yet most of us can blow their doors off?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 16
From: Anchorage Alaska
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I have 9000 miles on mine and they have been fantastic! Excellent hookup on dry pavement, phenomenal rain capability and they have crazy tread. I've received more compliments on the tires than on anything else about my car. I paid $629 for my set of Z06 tires.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
Likes: 26
From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,798
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From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
I'll throw another brand in there. I have a whopping 8 or 9 miles on the pair I bought so I'm qualified as an expert now. They've been on the car since noon yesterday and still have air in them and haven't exploded yet.
Now seriously I bought a pair of Falken FK452's. Way early to give an honest opinion. No regrets yet. So far the ride is way quiet compared to the Dunlaps I replaced. They hook up well and on the drive to work traction never broke loose when I dropped the hammer. I'm waiting on some rain to see how that goes. The tires are rated Traction AA, Temp A, and Tread wear is 300. We'll see if the $291. a pair was worth it.
Now seriously I bought a pair of Falken FK452's. Way early to give an honest opinion. No regrets yet. So far the ride is way quiet compared to the Dunlaps I replaced. They hook up well and on the drive to work traction never broke loose when I dropped the hammer. I'm waiting on some rain to see how that goes. The tires are rated Traction AA, Temp A, and Tread wear is 300. We'll see if the $291. a pair was worth it.