torkman15

I have a 2000 Coupe with 2008 5 spoke wheels (18s front 19s rear) that I slid a 2010 Camaro LS3 engine into. Now I need rear tires and will not be running run-flats ever again. Is there a tire that is a happy medium between traction and wear that wont break the bank. That LS3 just fries the Firestones and I have no willpower to stay off the gas...

Thanks for any suggestions, Tom

Eric D

From TireRack, excellent ride, noise and traction.

2 245/45ZR -17 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus $183.00 $366.00

2 275/40ZR -18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus $245.00 $490.00

65GGvert

Nice tires, but I doubt they'll fit his 18", 19" wheels.

Eric D

Believe it or not, Michelin makes more than two sizes of tires...

65GGvert

I believe it, but look at the sizes you posted.

onspeed

I've heard good things about Continental ExtremeContact DW. Haven't tried them myself, but will pick up a set when I'm due for new rubber.

I also don't consider Michelin PS's to be "reasonably priced"

Eric D

Actually I tried to first purchase Continentals based on reviews. But after waiting over a month and a trip coming up with my Vette I switched to the Michelin. As far as price, it's a personal thing, but I wanted tires made in the USA. Yes, they are a little more money, but if it keeps the funds here and helps someone else keep their job, I feel it is worth it. Just my two cents...

Trios

I have the Conti DWs on during the summer and I love them. Excellent tire overall.

corvettebob1

"Michelin. As far as price, it's a personal thing, but I wanted tires made in the USA"

As far back as I can remember Michelin has always been a French company.

Boosted_C5

If you want tires get on www.onlinetires.com they are the cheapest you will find. I have ordered from them numerous times and they are awesome. I have saved a bunch of money buying from them so figure I could help you guys save some money.

Eric D

Michelin North America is a $7.25 billion dollar a year company operating 18 plants in 16 locations and employs 22,270 people. It manufactures and sells tires for airplanes, automobiles, farm equipment, heavy duty trucks, motorcycles, bicycles and the space shuttle. Michelin manufactures tires in six states: Alabama, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, North Carolina and South Carolina.

22K+ jobs, here, in the USA --- So What's Your Point?

JDS99

How often do you drive the car?

I say this because "performance tire" can include several categories. Good luck with traction on street tires. In my experience, one to the next is not going to afford you much more traction. If you daily drive it though, and can stay out of the pedal... they will last the longest. Treadwear will be 280-300 range.

An autocrossing tire will give you better traction, will handle well, but will not last as long as a street. Your stock? LS3 may be able to hook up still with these type. Typically treadwear will be in the 160-200 range.

Or, there is the drag radial option. If you don't do a lot of hard cornering, and only drive through minimal rain if at all.. this will give you the best straight line traction, and enable use of 1st gear with traction control off. I believe best traction goes in line of Nitto DR, BFG DR, then Mickey Thompson DR for most. You will have to double check sizes though, as you are greatly limited with the 19x10 rear.


Unless you find used tires though for a steal, you are not going to find anything that will hold traction for at or less than the 245/tire listed above.


For example:
I had Michelin Pilot's on my '99, and with just a cam/exhaust at 386whp they wouldn't hold 1st or 2nd gear. Then changed to Goodyear GSD3's, and I got 2nd gear back but 1st was still useless... After changing heads, and intake manifold with a jump to 435whp I lost 2nd gear again and part of 3rd depending on the road.. So, since it is just the fun car anyway I swapped over to MT ET Street Radial II's in a 305/35-18 out back and now I have traction in any gear, whenever I want, with loads of room for future mods.

98DC231

The French are still calling the shots.

Not that it matters but you brought up the whole "made in USA" thing.

For a reasonbly priced tire, look at the Bridgestone Potenza 760 Sport.

Under $1k for a set.

Eric D

So what is your point? Are you implying that people should NOT buy tires made in the USA????

leadfoot4

Bridgestone, I believe, is a Japanese company that bought out Firestone......

stevenm357

So to the actual question, I've ran nitto NT05's this past year... and welllll not reall happy with wet performance, or autocross performance, I've heard good things abotu invo's.. have them on my trans am rear.... unless they are hot they break loose easily, when they are hot they get too hot FAST and are even slipperier than when cold.. this is to the point of a short low speed autocross at 50 degrees needing water sprayed on the tires to cool them between runs.

I've heard good things about hankook's, will probably try those sometime this coming year.

meldog21

I had the Continental Extreme Contact DW's on my Cobalt SS and they were fantastic. The price is reasonable too with 18" and 19" sizes at $250 to $300 in their widest sizes of 295 and 285. When my current Michelin PS2's (my winter tires) wear out, I will be replacing them with the DW's.

Michelin has a newer tire out, Pilot Super Sport, that is comparable to the DW's. The only problem is they are $100 more per tire than the DW's. On Tire Rack they are rated just above the DW's. I recently put the Super Sports on my wife's Acura TL-s because the DW's were back ordered and my local tire shop was willing to match the DW price for them. They appear to be as good as the reviews/ratings.

You just have to decide how much you're willing to spend, how much traction you want, and how long you expect them to last.

Dog

$$$frumnuttin'

Get the Hankooks... $850 for a full 18/19 setup at Discount Tire when they have a $100 coupon running. I just tested mine out in the rain last week and they stuck like glue...I couldn't believe the traction...best bang for the buck...well, maybe BANG is not a good word for a tire!

Gray Ghost GS

Here's another good option.... Yokohama ADVAN Sport tires.