$100 tire suggestions?

Hello everyone, I need new tires and i thought i would seek some feedback to see if anyone has these tires or experience with them. I'm looking to spend somewhere in the region of $100 per tire.

My car: 2003 Toyota Matrix. Its a FWD and doesnt have LSD. For the last couple years I have had Nitto Neogen 225/45/R17 tires. They have served me well as DD and survived two HPDE track days at Homestead. I think I am going to stick with 225/45/r17.

@ Around 100 or less: Nitto Neogen ZR Kumho Ecsta SPT Hankook Ventus HRII

Over $100: Dunlop Direzza DZ101 Falken FK 452 Falken Azenis RT615

Thoughts anyone?

Why the Kumho Ecsta SPT instead of the ASX?

And I thought the RT615s had dropped, and were right around $100/tire...

I wouldn't bother with the Falken FK452s if you're also shopping RT615s.

The DZ101s aren't really in the same league as the RT615s either.

Your first section for under $100 turned up some decent tires, though. I personally don't like NeoGens, the sidewall is way too soft for me, but they aren't a terrible tire.

You can get the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo for under $100 in your size.

You can also get the Ventus RS2s for $114.00 at tirerack. I can't find the RT615s through them for a comparison, but those two tires are close enough in performance to spark debates all over the internet. The sidewall on the RS2s isn't QUITE as stiff as the RT615s. The RS2s are less likely to kill you in bad weather. The RS2s tend to break away a bit more gradually than the RT615s.

I run RS2s. I love them. The new Kuhmo XS is out as well at $121.00 apiece. The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is at $137 apiece with a $50 rebate for 4, so that's in the list i would think, too.

Vulcan Tire has the RT615s for $115/tire.

That probably didn't help at all, other than maybe eliminating a couple.

ReverendDexter wrote: Why the Kumho Ecsta SPT instead of the ASX? And I thought the RT615s had dropped, and were right around $100/tire...

I see ASX for $101 link

I also see the SPT for the same price link

I just figured i dont need an "all season" tire here in Florida.

EDIT: should I add the Kumho ecsta MX to the list if i can get a good price?

93celicaGT2 wrote: I wouldn't bother with the Falken FK452s if you're also shopping RT615s. The DZ101s aren't really in the same league as the RT615s either. Your first section for under $100 turned up some decent tires, though. I personally don't like NeoGens, the sidewall is way too soft for me, but they aren't a terrible tire. You can get the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo for under $100 in your size. You can also get the Ventus RS2s for $114.00 at tirerack. I can't find the RT615s through them for a comparison, but those two tires are close enough in performance to spark debates all over the internet. The sidewall on the RS2s isn't QUITE as stiff as the RT615s. The RS2s are less likely to kill you in bad weather. The RS2s tend to break away a bit more gradually than the RT615s. I run RS2s. I love them. The new Kuhmo XS is out as well at $121.00 apiece. The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is at $137 apiece with a $50 rebate for 4, so that's in the list i would think, too. Vulcan Tire has the RT615s for $115/tire. That probably didn't help at all, other than maybe eliminating a couple.

Falken F452: $107 Falken RT615 $121 Hankook Ventus actually $86 per tire link

It depends on what discounts i can get through my regular performance shop.

jcanracer wrote:

ReverendDexter wrote: Why the Kumho Ecsta SPT instead of the ASX? And I thought the RT615s had dropped, and were right around $100/tire...

I see ASX for $101 link I also see the SPT for the same price link I just figured i dont need an "all season" tire here in Florida. EDIT: should I add the Kumho ecsta MX to the list if i can get a good price?

Oh, for some reason I thought the SPTs were the lower-performance all-season tire...

How committed to a 225 width are you?

I think I'd rather shoehorn a 245/40R17 on there and grab some RE-01R's from the clearance shelf from Tire Rack for $103. clicky here

If you could live with the taller 245/45R17 (and I bet you could) they're only $83 a pop. That's crazy cheap for a really good tire like the RE-01.

Kumho MX's are good, too. Maybe they'll go on clearance quick before the XS is widely available.

Tom Heath wrote: How committed to a 225 width are you? I think I'd rather shoehorn a 245/40R17 on there and grab some RE-01R's from the clearance shelf from Tire Rack for $103. clicky here If you could live with the taller 245/45R17 (and I bet you could) they're only $83 a pop. That's crazy cheap for a really good tire like the RE-01. Kumho MX's are good, too. Maybe they'll go on clearance quick before the XS is widely available.

The 245/40-17 RE01R isn't available anymore. :( I think i got one of the last sets.

jcanracer wrote:

93celicaGT2 wrote: I wouldn't bother with the Falken FK452s if you're also shopping RT615s. The DZ101s aren't really in the same league as the RT615s either. Your first section for under $100 turned up some decent tires, though. I personally don't like NeoGens, the sidewall is way too soft for me, but they aren't a terrible tire. You can get the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo for under $100 in your size. You can also get the Ventus RS2s for $114.00 at tirerack. I can't find the RT615s through them for a comparison, but those two tires are close enough in performance to spark debates all over the internet. The sidewall on the RS2s isn't QUITE as stiff as the RT615s. The RS2s are less likely to kill you in bad weather. The RS2s tend to break away a bit more gradually than the RT615s. I run RS2s. I love them. The new Kuhmo XS is out as well at $121.00 apiece. The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is at $137 apiece with a $50 rebate for 4, so that's in the list i would think, too. Vulcan Tire has the RT615s for $115/tire. That probably didn't help at all, other than maybe eliminating a couple.

Falken F452: $107 Falken RT615 $121 Hankook Ventus actually $86 per tire link It depends on what discounts i can get through my regular performance shop.

The RT615 isn't really comparable to the HRII... it's a far superior tire.

I think my Enkei RS5 rims are 17x7 so 225 width is a sensible choice to stick with.

From the sounds of it I am hearing good things about these tires, in order of price:

Kumho Ecsta SPT $101

Azenis FK452 $107

Yokohama S.Drives? $116

Azenis RT615 $121 <--- these might actually be a waste on my crap-box car.

I also heard from other matrix/corolla owners that the hankook ventus have terrible wet grip.

jcanracer wrote: Azenis RT615 $121 <--- these might actually be a waste on my crap-box car.

trust me, sticky/good tires are never a waste if you intend on using them

and the Kumho Ecsta XS is also $121 (at tire rack though).

jcanracer wrote: I think my Enkei RS5 rims are 17x7 so 225 width is a sensible choice to stick with. From the sounds of it I am hearing good things about these tires, in order of price: Kumho Ecsta SPT $101 Azenis FK452 $107 Yokohama S.Drives? $116 Azenis RT615 $121 <--- these might actually be a waste on my crap-box car. I also heard from other matrix/corolla owners that the hankook ventus have terrible wet grip.

Terrible is relative.... if you're worried about that with the RS2s, then don't even THINK about the RT615s. Now... i haven't raced in the rain on my RS2s, but they're perfectly fine at 75-80mph on the highway in the rain.

I think they're better than the S-Drives, and cheaper. The value is outstanding. They'll last longer than the RT615s as well. They wear VERY well.

RT615s won't be a waste on your car. Grip is grip. I ran RT615s on my bone stock 93 Celica GT coupe that i used to have, and that was a completely stock car. It had body roll from hell, but it still stuck. Good tires = faster, i don't care what the rest of the car is.

Agreed, but the tires i chose must be primarily daily driven with the ability to run up to 3 track days in a given year. I cannot afford a dedicated set of track wheels&tires.

Also whats up with the reputation of RT615's getting "greasy" over long runs? I heard some celica owners saying that, also my mechanic said these tires were un suitable for DD because of short tread life.

jcanracer wrote: Agreed, but the tires i chose must be primarily daily driven with the ability to run up to 3 track days in a given year. I cannot afford a dedicated set of track wheels&tires. Also whats up with the reputation of RT615's getting "greasy" over long runs? I heard some celica owners saying that, also my mechanic said these tires were un suitable for DD because of short tread life.

With your requirements, the RS2s will probably fit the bill. I have 12k miles on my current set, rotated once, and they've got about 50% life yet, with mild camber wear from my drop. I haven't had them grease up on me, they were rock solid once warmed up through Deal's Gap. I'm an idiot and even drove them through this winter. I WOULD NOT suggest that, but the fact is.... i didn't die. I didn't miss a day of work.

They are completely fine in the rain.

The RT615s, i don't think i ever pushed mine hard enough to grease up. But i have heard the same thing.

The RS2s are a better compromise, the RT615s offer a modicum more dry grip at the expense of a much shorter lifespan.

As for "unsuitable for DD," that's your decision, not his. I would DD them, and have. But i drive 200-250 miles a week. Max. You aren't getting more than one season out of them DD'ing them, that's for sure.

Might get two out of the RS2s depending on how much you really drive.

Hey buddy, check it out:

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/200x-classifieds/azenis-rt-615-2154017-with-12-tread-atlanta-area/8207/page1/

Your problem is solved. Buy these now, wait for the Hankook Ventus RS3 to come out, and then buy the RS2s at blowout prices.

Thanks for the input bro. I am currently waiting to hear back from a local contact on his prices for FK452s RS2's and Ecsta SPTs.

In the end i couldn't get the FK452's for a better price, and only got the RT615's for a dollar cheaper.

So i ordered the FK452's.