The short Q: I picked up a nail and unfortunately need tires a bit earlier than I expected...ugh. So help me out with recommendations on the cheap side, would ya?

FWIW, I recall the mondo thread on the Sumi HTR IIIs, but just wanted to know if this is still the "go to" tire that's inexpensive but drives great (for the price, of course), or if there's a new offering you folks have found that you like?

Parameters:
- Daily-driver commuter in sunny SoCal.
- zero concern for wet performance whatsoever ...all dry driving.
- decent wear/mileage
- must come in 17" (225/45 and 255/40 on stock Cup IIs)

FWIW, my Kumho MXs have fulfilled the above and served me well over many sets ...but I think those have grown old by now, no? But that is the price/performance envelope I'm looking toward. So help me out with your recommendations. I gotta pick these up next week so fire away. Thanks all!


Edward

 

MXs were a hot tire for a while, but we are talking about 2004-2005. If you like them you might want to look at Kumho XS as a replacement, In 225/255 combo Hankook R-S3 is the current hot tire alone with Toyo R1R and Dunlop Direzza Z1. Hankook is the most suitable and by far cheapest of these 3.

I've never been a big fan of Sumitomos. But they are a good daily driver tire, especially for the price.

Since you are in SoCal I'd suggest looking at Craigslist as well.

 

I just put a set of Hankooks on my 2001 Boxster S based on their performance I plan to use them on the 993
Rich

 

Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110. About $110 per tire and great ride. I've been very happy with them considering the price.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....s+V12+evo+K110

 

+1 on the Hankook Ventus V12 Evo

Fantastic value for money tyre on my 17" cups. Very happy indeed.
Having said that, I am very keen to get the TOYO R1Rs on the new 18's

 

another vote for the Hankooks here. Long wearing, quiet, good traction in all conditions. I believe that Tirerack still has an $80 rebate when you but a set of 4.

 

I have Ha kook Vent us V12 on my 993 and have been happy. I have about 5000 miles on them now.

 

If money is the largest issue I would go with the Sumi's. I used them for two years as a street/AX tire and have nothing but good things to say about them.
They WILL get greasy if you drive them VERY hard, but I never had that issue off the track. You can also run the 275/40/17 in that tire which looks killer on the Cup rims.

 

Oops, didn't know about the rebate. That might tip the scales to the Hankooks.

 

Alrighty, folks, looks like the Hankook V12s ...or the Sumi IIIs, depending on what is available in my immediate neighborhood. Seems the price is near identical between these two on Tire Rack so whoever can get provide them local for me at the better price wins.

BTW, I was reading the TireRack test article and they mentioned the Kumho Ecsta LE (another max-perf summer tire that was tested in the same mix) ...anyone try that one? As I had said, I had the MXs for several sets and was very satisfied with them, but as Mike
(nile13) had accurately pointed out, that was quite some time ago and I want a newer offering ...especially since our 993s tend to wear rears to fronts at a 2:1 rate so I want tires that will still be around. Hmmm, did I just talk myself into the Hankook?

Thanks all ...I appreciate the timely recommendations!

Edward

 

Another happy Hankooks ventus V12 customer.

 

If you plan to do the occasional DE I recommend against the Hankook V12. I have tried them and they do not handle the stress of heat cycling more than a few times. Besides the sidewalls are softer than you would prefer on the track making the car very squermy. For daily drive at legal speeds I would think they are a good choice.

 

A good friend is driving the sumis on the track and they are amazing for the small money. For street driving an absolute no brainer and my next tire for my street-driven cab.

 

like the sumis

 

why not just get the tire patched? A single nail is no reason to discard 4 perfectly good tires.