Firestone FireHawk run flats
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 35
From: Jupiter Fl
People keep talking about how quiet and soft they ride. That is fine, no criticism here, but can anybody who likes taking corners fast comment on how good they grip. My GY SC gripped like crazy (when new) and I am SOOOO disappointed with the Hankooks I bought. I read lots of reviews that said Hankooks were good, but my stock C6 can slip these crappy tires with very little effort. How do firestones compare to GY in the grip department? Not just straight line, but in the corners?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,983
Likes: 1
From: Seguin Tx
I put the Firestones on my C6 and W O W what a difference!
The only thing Im concerned with is that I heard that if you get a nail or something to puncture the tire they cant be fixed and you have to buy a complete new tire!
Is that true?
The only thing Im concerned with is that I heard that if you get a nail or something to puncture the tire they cant be fixed and you have to buy a complete new tire!
Is that true?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
Good luck finding out...tire opinions are so very subjective. Most are comparing brand new tires to their old ones which may have been close to worn out and old. It's like some people who love front wheel drive cars - go figure! I was so confused after reading tons of tire reviews, that I just went out and bought the identical tires that came with my car when new. I didn't want to compromise the total package on my Z51 optioned car. I wish you could road test tires to get a true feeling for them.
I'm also wondering if the noise levels will kick up after some mileage. The OEM good years were quiet for about 10k miles. Their grip was definitely fantastic. Worn GYs are crap. One thing that would keep me away from Firestones is you can't repair them. Yes road hazard insurance is available which means they'll prorate a new tire when your tire picks up a nail. I already had a couple nails removed for free at discount tire.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 443
Likes: 12
From: KITCHENER ONTARIO
Over 20,000 Miles and Firestones are still quiet!
I corner hard and only got 20,000 miles out of the rear Firestones before I replaced them. The wear was fairly even. The front tires have lots of wear left at 23,000 miles. If you want a soft comfortable ride with great handling and little noise replace your stock tires with Firestone runflats.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA from Boston MA
I am going thru the tire decision process too. Was leaning to the Firestones but the sales guy at Discount Tire is pushing on the Michelins. He could not easily give me a Firestone quote but I know there is a price difference of a few hundred bucks. I dont think DT has a solid relationship with Firestone as they must have with Michelin. He says Michelin is a better product for the C6.
There is also a $70 mail in rebate for 4 Michelins bought between 9/27 and 10/16 and DT gives you their own 9 month no interest financing on purchases at this level.
I dont track the car or drive it hard at all so I am struggling with spending the extra money. I think both will be quieter than the OEM Goodyears.
Decision time soon.
There is also a $70 mail in rebate for 4 Michelins bought between 9/27 and 10/16 and DT gives you their own 9 month no interest financing on purchases at this level.
I dont track the car or drive it hard at all so I am struggling with spending the extra money. I think both will be quieter than the OEM Goodyears.
Decision time soon.
Last edited by BostonJoel; Sep 19, 2010 at 08:16 AM. Reason: spelling
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach VA
FWIW, I've got the Firestones and I'm happy with them. The ride seems a little softer than the OEM GYs. Grip; seems about the same - I only really get to push it on exit and on ramps.
Finally - If the price is right, the flight is tonight! ~ $1,100.00 installed OTD with road hazzard from the local Firestone Service Center.
Finally - If the price is right, the flight is tonight! ~ $1,100.00 installed OTD with road hazzard from the local Firestone Service Center.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 484
Likes: 65
From: Southern UT
2005 z51 DD
I have about 40K on my rear Firestones. They have another 15K to go or so. I blew out the two on the front on mega-road-debris (big chunks of concrete and rebar @ 75mph) and drove them 25 miles home that night. That experience and repairs costs a few $$$. The Firestones are great so far...no complaints. What a car! What a country! 
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 638
Likes: 115
From: The High Mountains of North Texas
I had a set of these. When I first put them on, they were a little slippery. But after a couple weeks, they started sticking. I think the grip is as good as the factory G2s, and is better on the back half of the life of the tire. The GYs really quit working once they were about half worn. The FFs just rocked good till they were almost completely bare.
One more opinion.
One more opinion.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 1
From: Forestville CA
I had a set of these. When I first put them on, they were a little slippery. But after a couple weeks, they started sticking. I think the grip is as good as the factory G2s, and is better on the back half of the life of the tire. The GYs really quit working once they were about half worn. The FFs just rocked good till they were almost completely bare.
One more opinion.
One more opinion.
Just like the car...FWO's Price for the Performance= WIN
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,642
Likes: 9
From: Dalllas/Ft Worth Area TX
Firestone W/O?
People keep talking about how quiet and soft they ride. That is fine, no criticism here, but can anybody who likes taking corners fast comment on how good they grip. My GY SC gripped like crazy (when new) and I am SOOOO disappointed with the Hankooks I bought. I read lots of reviews that said Hankooks were good, but my stock C6 can slip these crappy tires with very little effort. How do firestones compare to GY in the grip department? Not just straight line, but in the corners?
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 342
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio TX
I am going thru the tire decision process too. Was leaning to the Firestones but the sales guy at Direct Tire is pushing on the Michelins. He could not easily give me a Firestone quote but I know there is a price difference of a few hundred bucks. I dont think DT has a solid relationship with Firestone as they must have with Michelin. He says Michelin is a better product for the C6.
There is also a $70 mail in rebate for 4 Michelins bought between 9/27 and 10/16 and DT gives you their own 9 month no interest financing on purchases at this level.
I dont track the car or drive it hard at all so I am struggling with spending the extra money. I think both will be quieter than the OEM Goodyears.
Decision time soon.
There is also a $70 mail in rebate for 4 Michelins bought between 9/27 and 10/16 and DT gives you their own 9 month no interest financing on purchases at this level.
I dont track the car or drive it hard at all so I am struggling with spending the extra money. I think both will be quieter than the OEM Goodyears.
Decision time soon.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 4
From: foothills of Northern California
I was pleasantly surprised that my experience was the opposite. The original Z51 SC tires pulled 1.1G once on a turn I do often and were normally in the 1.05 range. the Firestones did 1.1 almost out of the box and are now routinely at 1.15G. Seat of the pants says the Firestones are softer going into the turn but the meter says they pull harder in the middle. Coming from the Goodyear F1s, I think the OP is going to be VERY pleasantly surprised.
The initial turn in IMO is very different from the OE GY's non SC tires even when my GY's were new . The GY's seemed to have a little more turn in feel. Once you set the car up in your turn the FS deliver great grip and seem more predictable. I have had my FS ovals at 9/10's and am very happy with them. I thought the better ride would denigrate the handling abilities but not the case.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,642
Likes: 9
From: Dalllas/Ft Worth Area TX
Help us out a little more, please!
I was pleasantly surprised that my experience was the opposite. The original Z51 SC tires pulled 1.1G once on a turn I do often and were normally in the 1.05 range. the Firestones did 1.1 almost out of the box and are now routinely at 1.15G. Seat of the pants says the Firestones are softer going into the turn but the meter says they pull harder in the middle. Coming from the Goodyear F1s, I think the OP is going to be VERY pleasantly surprised.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,133
Likes: 144
From: Ex-SF Bay Area; now happily Denver area
A good friend of mine is a gearhead and a Discount Tire manager and I was talking to him about the Firestone Wide Ovals, this is his take on them. He said they were great for the first 10k miles and then people were trading them in for Mitchlins A/S ZP's. They rode good at first but then the performance degraded and they changed them out. I chose to get the Mitchlins because of past performance of the tires as most can attest.
Before I bought them, I talked to the local America's Tire and got a negative response. When questioned further, they admitted that they didn't stock them and it wouldn't be worth ordering them, so obviously their response was pretty biased.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 752
Likes: 0
From: Lebanon CT.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,006
Likes: 26
From: JawJa
Can anyone tell me if the width of the FS's "look" as wide on the ground as the OEM GY's? They're suppose to be the same section width at 11.4" (even though there's a misprint on TireRacks site). And even though most hate the GY's, I like the looks of them on the ground. They're more square on the edge as opposed to most others that are slightly rounded. Almost gives the appearance of a little wider tire on the stock rims compared to some others.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
From: Dawson Springs Kentucky
Just picked up my 2006 after having new Firestone Fire Hawk Wide Ovals out on and my first impression is WOW! Amazing how much difference tires can make. Way better ride and the noise level is incredibly lower. Can't wait to pull some g's on the WV country roads. Only got 17664 miles out of the Goodyear FI Eagle original tires. They would not pass inspection. Got them from Tire Rack for about 2/3 the cost of the Goodyears.
Went with the Firehawks on the '94, 2000 and '05 when time for replacements. Will do the same on the '06 when the time comes. Fraction of an inch narrower in all sizes, but not noticeable. Really stand out in cold or wet weather.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,006
Likes: 26
From: JawJa
Originally Posted by Icebear;1576857607 . . . Fraction of an inch narrower in all sizes, [COLOR="Red"
but not noticeable[/COLOR].
Last edited by GotVett?; Feb 21, 2011 at 09:01 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 15,199
Likes: 1,007
From: BOOMER SOONER
i bought these on my C5 and hated them, they were absolutely horrible. Car handled more like and old Buick than a Corvette. Just weird. After about six months i'd had it and traded the C5 on the C6.