Tires One More Time
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 679
Likes: 4
From: TremontonUT UT
Tires One More Time
I have, a new to me, black 08 is in the garage. I bought it 300 miles from home so I got to drive it on all types of roads in Southern Idaho. The F1s are absolutely the worst tires I ever drove on. Of course the roads a big part of the problem. I am an old fart and only bought this car to tour and an occasional straight line blast. I have been using the search engine the last couple nights and made up my mine to buy a set of Nitto Invos. Unfortunately the rears are not available. I have been reading a lot of good reviews on the Kumho SPT. Most of the reviewers were not Vette drivers. I would be more impressed with reviews here. Thanks. Later! Frank
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
The original tires are run flats. If you stay with them you only have a few choices. If you go to non run flats you need to plan ahead on how you will handle a flat. I replaced my fronts with Firestone run flats and they are much quieter than the factory tires, in addition they ride better and are cheaper than the factory tires. 
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 3
From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
There are many threads that discuss replacement tires and you can always check out the reviews on The Tire Rack, a forum supporting vendor.
I replaced the F1 Supercar tires 2 years ago with the Firestone Wide Oval RFT and can only report good things about them. Good price, quite, good traction wet or dry, and longer tread life.
I replaced the F1 Supercar tires 2 years ago with the Firestone Wide Oval RFT and can only report good things about them. Good price, quite, good traction wet or dry, and longer tread life.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 7
From: Bristol raceway area
I replaced the GY's on my wife's '02 with Michelin PS A/S Plus ZP several thousand miles ago and it feels like a different car. Better Ride with no road noise and great "rim protectors". 45,000 mile warranty. Took Very Little weight to balance. Very satisfied
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
if you want inexpensive tires, keep going in the direction your discuss re kumho, nitto, etc. not saying they're bad. they're just not runflats.
if you feel, as well said above, you don't need or want runflats, there are many other choices out there besides the ones you mentioned, BFG, Michelin, Dunlop, Continental, Bridgestone, Hankook, etc.
go to tirerack.com and put in your car, and "view matching front and rear". then, read the reviews on the bottom of each tire shown, and the owner survey responses.
for this high performance, sports/grand touring car, you can buy anything from $125 on up. it's your decision on how it rides and handles. and lasts.
whatever you do, just remember there is a very good reason why tires are now described as "summer only", "all season", etc. if you take a summer-only tire and try accelerating the same way in 40 degree (or even 50) weather, you will launch yourself in a way you may not catch quickly.
good luck.
if you feel, as well said above, you don't need or want runflats, there are many other choices out there besides the ones you mentioned, BFG, Michelin, Dunlop, Continental, Bridgestone, Hankook, etc.
go to tirerack.com and put in your car, and "view matching front and rear". then, read the reviews on the bottom of each tire shown, and the owner survey responses.
for this high performance, sports/grand touring car, you can buy anything from $125 on up. it's your decision on how it rides and handles. and lasts.
whatever you do, just remember there is a very good reason why tires are now described as "summer only", "all season", etc. if you take a summer-only tire and try accelerating the same way in 40 degree (or even 50) weather, you will launch yourself in a way you may not catch quickly.
good luck.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 1
From: Mesa Arizona
Put the Michelin ZP 45K Mile Warranty Run Flats-Great!
Feels like a new car. To my surprise, the dealer had the best price.
Out the door $1670.00
Thanks for the guys on the forum! I wanted a hopefully higher wear life than the original equipment.
These Michelins come with a 45K mile warranty. Better than Originals.
Hope they last that long.
These tires stick! Don't race it, but there is no slipping.
Good luck.
Charlie in Arizona
Out the door $1670.00
Thanks for the guys on the forum! I wanted a hopefully higher wear life than the original equipment.
These Michelins come with a 45K mile warranty. Better than Originals.
Hope they last that long.
These tires stick! Don't race it, but there is no slipping.
Good luck.
Charlie in Arizona
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 808
From: West coast CA
I have, a new to me, black 08 is in the garage. I bought it 300 miles from home so I got to drive it on all types of roads in Southern Idaho. The F1s are absolutely the worst tires I ever drove on. Of course the roads a big part of the problem. I am an old fart and only bought this car to tour and an occasional straight line blast. I have been using the search engine the last couple nights and made up my mine to buy a set of Nitto Invos. Unfortunately the rears are not available. I have been reading a lot of good reviews on the Kumho SPT. Most of the reviewers were not Vette drivers. I would be more impressed with reviews here. Thanks. Later! Frank
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 679
Likes: 4
From: TremontonUT UT
They ride like an iron wheel wagon. On grooved concrete roads they drown out the stereo. My 04 had F1s when I test drove it. The dealer installed non-runflat Kumhos. All was well. Later! Frank
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Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
I think the F1 tires ride good, I have the F55 suspension. I do like a firm tire, it allows the road condition and tire performance (slip or skid) to be felt by the driver. There is some noise but acceptable under normal conditions.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 145
From: Northcentral, Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '09-'11
I have used both the Kuhmo SPT and Nitto Invo tires on my C6. The Invo tires have better traction. The SPT's aren't bad, and I'd consider them if I couldn't get the Invo's. You will notice a difference with either tire. Better traction, quiet, not as harsh because the sidewalls are not as stiff as the run flat tires.
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I have a 2008 convertible automatic with 12,500 miles. I am the original owner and have never driven the car hard. It is absolutely stock with the original F1 tires that still look like new. The tread isn't worn anywhere near the wear indicators. Everyone who rides in the car complains about the road noise. Even at slow speeds on smooth, new, asphalt, it is noisey. It seems to either be the rear tires or perhaps a bearing in the rear of the car. At this point, I don't know if it has always been like this or it just devoloped slowly. It is the kind of thing a person used to driving old cars might consider acceptable but it just doesn't seem right to me. Does anybody have a similar experience or ideas?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 662
Likes: 1
From: hudson florida
Feels like a new car. To my surprise, the dealer had the best price.
Out the door $1670.00
Thanks for the guys on the forum! I wanted a hopefully higher wear life than the original equipment.
These Michelins come with a 45K mile warranty. Better than Originals.
Hope they last that long.
These tires stick! Don't race it, but there is no slipping.
Good luck.
Charlie in Arizona
Out the door $1670.00
Thanks for the guys on the forum! I wanted a hopefully higher wear life than the original equipment.
These Michelins come with a 45K mile warranty. Better than Originals.
Hope they last that long.
These tires stick! Don't race it, but there is no slipping.
Good luck.
Charlie in Arizona
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I have a 2008 convertible automatic with 12,500 miles. I am the original owner and have never driven the car hard. It is absolutely stock with the original F1 tires that still look like new. The tread isn't worn anywhere near the wear indicators. Everyone who rides in the car complains about the road noise. Even at slow speeds on smooth, new, asphalt, it is noisey. It seems to either be the rear tires or perhaps a bearing in the rear of the car. At this point, I don't know if it has always been like this or it just devoloped slowly. It is the kind of thing a person used to driving old cars might consider acceptable but it just doesn't seem right to me. Does anybody have a similar experience or ideas?
tires are made a little different from years gone by. as they age, even without miles, they get harder and they get noisier. mine did a little, but not objectionably to me and my ears.your ears may differ. when, or if you decide to replace tires for noise, you will notice a reduction in noise. it is most likely temporary until the new tires get some miles or years on them.
the tires you have now are wide, stiff and have a particular compound. other tires may differ slightly.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 7
From: Bristol raceway area
I have a 2008 convertible automatic with 12,500 miles. I am the original owner and have never driven the car hard. It is absolutely stock with the original F1 tires that still look like new. The tread isn't worn anywhere near the wear indicators. Everyone who rides in the car complains about the road noise. Even at slow speeds on smooth, new, asphalt, it is noisey. It seems to either be the rear tires or perhaps a bearing in the rear of the car. At this point, I don't know if it has always been like this or it just devoloped slowly. It is the kind of thing a person used to driving old cars might consider acceptable but it just doesn't seem right to me. Does anybody have a similar experience or ideas?