what brand and style tire are YOU using?, lets compare notes Options

[presure2]

hey all,
looking @ buying a new set of sneakers (tires..lol) for the car, and, im thinking about trying a diffrent tire than what i have been.
I've been using Falken ZIEX 502's then 512's, since i got aftermarket rims..with decent results. for ~89$ a tire, they were ok.
however, once they get some miles on them, they are aweful in the rain. the car hydroplanes all over the place.
and with the extra power of the 5sfte, traction is DEFINETLY an issue, ANY time i get on it in 1st or 2nd.
so, im wondering what all you guys are using for tires, especially you swapped guys!
brand, style, size, list it all!
if you just bought them with the rims, that dont count.
how many miles you get out of a set would be good if you know that as well.
i get about 20-25k out of a set of the falkens.
TIA

[boosted_K2]

The following is copied from the last time this question was asked:

Tires I'm using/ Previously used:

Comp Tires:

Hoosier AS04/AS03 - you pay for traction, not longevity... the best there is for autocross, but dont expect to get more than a 1/2 a season on them if you race frequently, if you only do a few you might stretch them a full season. Front: 205/55/14 Rear: 225/55/14 MR2na

Kumho V710s - just purchased, havent ran on yet. I hear they are comparable to the hoosiers (slightly less sticky) but last over 2X as long... these are the perfect tires for the budget autoxer, if you are a newbie autoxer and looking to save even more money than go with the Victoracer, these are a few steps up from the victos. Front: 205/55/14 Rear: 225/55/14 MR2na

Kumho VictoRacer - Used these on my friends GS classed Saturn SC2, great great budget autox tire, versitle and can be used in the wet too. perfect for beginners and you can get over 2 seasons on them. 205/55/15 all around Saturn SC2


Comp. Street Class Tires:

Falken Azenis RT-615 - Only used them for a very limited ammount of time, head and shoulders better than your standard high performance street tire, handles the wet MUCH better than the previous RT-215s, but they seem to have lost a little of the dry traction, however still much better than the comparable yokos or toyos. They just need to start making more sizes of these. 205/40/16 all around MR2t

Hankook Ventus Z-212 - Just purchased and putting a few miles on them right now. These are what I plan on running this year for any bad weather events or events where i dont want to take the R-compounds. From what I have heard is these tires are excellent for heavier cars (EVO, WRX, STI, etc..) or cars with big wheels. The sidewalls are a little soft compared to the azenis so you have to keep them pumped to get the best traction. Overall I am happy with them so far, a little messing around in an abandoned parking lot proved what i had heard about the sidewalls, as i would take sharp turns and quick switchbacks it tended to understeer more than the azenis did, roll over was more than falkens but nothing to be worried about. after putting some more air in the tires the car became a little more neutral, though it still errored on the side of understeering. These also have GREAT wet traction for a street comp tire. 195/60/14 all around (width seems under rated, side by side with my Kumho 711s these look wider) MR2na

High Performance Street Tires:

Yoko AVS ES100 - Good performance street tire, a little better life expectancy than the Comp street tires, but not quite in the same class as the Kooks or the Falkens though... not a tire for someone who wants to be competitive in a street tire class, but works great if you just want to go to have fun. 205/45/16 all around MR2t

Kumho Ecsta Supra 712 - Great cheap tire if you get a package deal on some wheels/tires, I've had a set that has lasted me 3 season of summer driving + they have 4 autox events on them, one got a bubble in the sidewall last summer so I am going to take it to discount tire to get it replaced, they look like they still have another season or 2 on them. 205/40/17 97 Celica ST / 2000 Celica GTS

All Seasons:

Continental ContiSports - average all season tire, has real soft sidewalls and great traction in snow and rain, actually pretty decent in icey conditions as well. Poor traction in dry however. These are the tires that came on my Cobalt. 195/60/15 Cobalt

Kumho Ecsta 711s - i really like these for all seasons, very cheap, good treadlife and good wet traction for just driving around, no complaints. Front: 205/55/15 Rear: 225/55/15 MR2na


and now for new updates:

Ive now ran about a 1/2 season on my kumho V710s and i can honestly say i like them better than my hoosiers, ive found them to very predictable and for the price cannot be beat.

Ive also ran a good ammount on my hankooks and like them alot, again i just wish these tires were made in more sizes as i am stuck running 195s on both front and back, and on 14" wheels the sidewall adds too much spring to an already stock suspension, however a smaller series tire these tires would be very very good. they are also priced well. I still feel i made the correct choice going 195 'kooks all around over the 205 RT-615s.


Manny, I'd suggest the Hankooks to you for sure as long as they sell them in an appropriate size.