Stan944

I wanted to mount the summer tires for daily driving, and the guy refused based on the wear.
So I'm thinking of getting a new set, for summer only (I have separate winter tires). I have only one set of rims.
My preferences:
1) cheap
2) as good traction/cornering ability for dry; better or not worse in the summer than my last set (all season) Bridgestone Potenza RE950. I do occasional autox, but don't expect r-compound performance.
3) decent tread life;
4) fair performance in the rain


I was looking at Tire Rack, and they have a few in my size (215/60 15) around $50 ea. Reviews are mixed / not-a-clear-winner on all these models:

Any comments on:
- Sumitomo HTR200 (high performance summer)
- Kumho ECSTA ASX (ultra high perf. all-season) - would have to be narrower: 205/60 VR15
- Kumho ECSTA 711 (high perf. summer) - would have to be wider: 225/50 15.
- Falken ZIEX ZE-512 (all season performance)
- other suggestions?

I think ECSTA 711 might be the best choice for performance, especially that it would have to be aspect ratio 50. The only drawback is the speedo willl be off. And also might be a problem while selling - who knows what happens to me in a year?

Thanks guys.

streckfu's

Fuzion ZRi. Do they make your size?

95Juan

avoid the ziex line.

the azenis are the only falkens worth buying if you're going to be going around any turns.


sumitomos or the 711's.

aside from that, step up the price a bit and get yoko avs es100's, or something else....

Stan944

205/55 WR15 is the closest size in Fusion ZRi, so it would be smaller OD, and narrower.
Why do you like this model?

Stan944

ECSTA 711 comes wider/smaller aspect ratio.
I never had a chance to compare how much difference in cornering comesfrom the size:
225/50 15 vs 215/60 15
My guess is I would feel the difference, would I?

95Juan

i think 225's would be good.

are they cookie cutters?


yokohama makes AVID H4's for your exact size. only like, 65 a tire. (edit- ok, i dont know why it changed prices on me suddenly, but i paid ~70 a tire when i bought them a year or two ago)

i had them on my '84, and i loved them. very predictable, good in rain, great in dry. matches the 944's characteristics and my driving style very very well.


i'd say hit it.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....Model=AVID+H4S

Matt H

The 711 is an H rated tire. You would feel the difference in acceleration because the 225/50 is considerably shorter than the 215/60

Is is nearing impossible to get the proper 15" tires for these cars, very few make a V rated 215/60R15 any more.

I absolutely despise Kumho, they make junk products.
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schwank

Just put a set of Yoko AVS ES 100's on mine... they were relatively affordable for a high perf tire and overall the reviews are pretty good. They seemed good for the week I drove them before putting the car up for some work.

Geo

Run away. Now. Forget you ever heard of these tires let alone talked about them. They are, by far, the WORST tire I've ever had. Junk. Absolute junk. I bought them whlie I was unemployed trying to save some money. It wasn't worth it.

JUNK!!

Get the Fuzions if you want a good budget tire.

Stan944

Of course you're right about the aceleration. Although I didn't say it, I meant difference in cornering ability. I think 225/50 should get better "g" than 215/60?

Geo, why exactly you hated ECSTA 711 ? Are you comparing tires in the similar price range?

Matt H

I think they look goofy as hell but I am sure there would be a plus to the shorter sidewall. In SOTP I am dont doubt a bit that they would feel better. I dont have a lot of time to explain as I am cleaning the house but if you have two tires of the same speed rating generally the shorter one will feel more sporty.

If you had the proper V rate OE size then, no, you probably would not notice a difference.
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Geo

Terrible traction in the wet. Terrible traction in the dry. Sloppy handling. Can't remember about the ride. It was 3.5 years ago that I bought them.

Gramps47

Since you're not wanting to spend a bunchof cash and if you are running 15x7 wheels at a minimum, I really like the Falken 512's. They look great, are comfortable, affordable and provide decent grip. Not what I would take out on the track, but decent and well priced. Also, do yourself a favor for improved handling, get a good front end alignment with about 2+ deg of negative camber. And enjoy your car!!

Gramps47

As a quick followup....if you're running 15x7 rims, DEFINITELY junk the 215x60x15 size and upgrade to 225x50x15. Much better performance.

Royal Tiger

I agree on the Fuzions. Do they make the Sumitomo HTR Z II in that size? I have heard alot of good things about these tires for under $100 a pop. I had the Sumitomo HTR + (I think) on my SVX (P225/50-WR16) and they were better then the Continental ContiSports that were on it when I bought it.