Thank you everybody for chiming in. Great discussion. I have made my decision. These are the tires I have purchased:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200047694104&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=010

You helped me to think outside the Goodyear/BF Goodrich "box". These are the tires that the local NTB recommended in the first place.
Now it's time to start pondering other items of interest. Thanks guys!

David

dam you saved some $ but falken?/??????


:puke:

What is wrong with Falken? We use those on the Pikes Peak Hill Climb cars and they work great.

Nice tire choice David  :icon_cool:

Im sure you will be happy with them

I don't know much about Falken tires. I used "search" and saw that a couple people had used them and liked them. Also they recommended them at NTB.
They are Z rated. Which is a step above my original choice (title).
I think I got a good deal. I'll let you know when they are installed next week.

David

Yokohama Avids FTW  That's what I have on my TGP.   :icon_cool: 

i just bought a set of 245/50-16 Kumho ECSTA 711s from tirerack.com last night.  yeah, they are just an HR-speed rated tire.  last night i found a split on the sidewall of one of my rear tires so i figured i'd better just buy a set of new tires before my long trip east this week.  these tires were only $50/each because tirerack.com currently has them on closeout special.  the total with shipping came to $255.  i was really tempted to buy a set of 235/55 BFGoodrich Traction TAs (T-rated) through discounttiredirect.com but they weren't really the size i wanted anyway and they were $100 more altogether.  considering i'm on such a tight budget and need tires this week i just went with the ECSTA 711s.  for the price they can't be beat IMHO.



i have direct experience with these tires (albeit on my brother's Turbo Dodges) and although the treadlife does suck and they obviously suck in snow/ice, dry traction and handling are GREAT.  besides, i'm spending the winter in Virginia and not Wyoming so it's not like i'm going to be drivign in alot of wintery conditions anyway.

i was considering the Falken Ziex 512s, but sl3196 has them on his GTP and said the treadlife sucks bad.

these ECSTA 711s are just going to be temporary anyway.  i'd like to go with Continental Extreme Contact tires next year sometime.  both TGPilot and timg have them on their cars and they seem to like them alot.

Quote from: The Master on November 22, 2006, 10:06:43 PM
I don't know much about Falken tires. I used "search" and saw that a couple people had used them and liked them. Also they recommended them at NTB.
They are Z rated. Which is a step above my original choice (title).
I think I got a good deal. I'll let you know when they are installed next week.

David

I wont buy falcon or yokes cuz thats what Les Schwab has and they go around tellin everyone and they mamma that NO tires are made in USA anymore. BS I heard that at 2 or 3 different tire shops and they swear up and down you have to have your tires shipped in from half way across the world cause thats your only option, BS!!!!!!!!! my quote from les scwab said $550 for their cheapest z rated proxes, went down to tire factory and the fierce uhp/kelly z rated made in USA tires were only $500 mounted and balanced. better AND cheaper. plus the tread handles AWESOME in the rain which we got tons of. owned three sets of kellys and never had one crack anywhere on the tire. threw away some hardly used z rated yokohamas the other day as they were cracking so bad they wouldnt even hold air.

My Yokes (pictured above) only cost $325!   :dunno:

Who the hell is Les Schwab??

My Toyo's were $100 each US shipped to Ontario from North Carolina on ebay brand new in boxes

245/45/17

Quote from: TGP Nick on November 29, 2006, 04:29:16 PM
My Yokes (pictured above) only cost $325!   :dunno:

are they 245/50 ZR16s or 245/50 R 16s?   because if they have an "R" in the sequence instead of "ZR" then they are not high performance tires, they are just good for everyday driving and longevity.

$100 a tire is what I paid too and its $25 a tire for mount and balance. basically $500.

Invasion, that would be a good deal on some 17s IF they were Z rated. same as I paid but bigger rim size... those always cost more.

Quote from: GangstGP on November 30, 2006, 11:54:58 AM$25 a tire for mount and balance.

ouch, i'm paying $12.50/wheel here for mount & balance.  with tax it's about $54 for all four.

yes the big deal with the Z rated eh  :laugh:

we really have a problem with taking these cars to those kinds of speeds  :icon_rolleyes:

Installed i payed $10 each from a local shop i trusted not to mess up my new rims  ;)

FYI

Below is a listing of common speed ratings:

Q =  99 MPH, 160km/h
S = 112 MPH, 180km/h
T = 118 MPH, 190km/h 
U = 124 MPH, 200km/h 
H = 130 MPH, 210km/h 
V = 149 MPH, 240km/h 
Z = 149 MPH, 240km/h and over 
W = 168 MPH, 270km/h 
Y = 186 MPH, 300km/h

I've also heard that the higher rated, like ZR, have softer compounds, so make for better traction, which also helps cornering. Granted Z-rated tires are not as economical as some others. Neither are 245's.  : )

But in my first TGP, I always ran the tires softer in the summer (around 34 (F) and 32 (R), then firmed them up to 36 (F) and 35 (R) in the winter to make the tread stand up better for driving in snow.