[pocketkiller]

OK ladies, I'm nearing 40,000 miles, so I promised myself I would upgrade the tires at that time. I don't want to spend over $500 including the install, so it limits me on what I can buy. I want the best summer tire possible, great traction, and low noise. Handling concerns first and foremost, and tread wear and everything else is secondary.

So far on tire rack I found the following:

Dunlop SP Sport 9000
Dunlop SP Sport FM901
Fuzion ZRI
Yokohama AVS ES100

Any suggestions or recommendations for me...and remmeber my $500 budget.

 

[amadeus303]

First, let me say that I'm a little partial to Toyo rubber. Conversely, I think the OEM Michelin tires suck (My last car, a Mazda6, had the Michelin Pilot Sport summer tires as OEM, too). With that said, are you looking for strictly a summer tire, or are you looking for something that you can use all year round? I'm not sure what area you're in, but Toyo Proxes 4's are great if you don't plan on switching shoes in the winter. IMO, they're the best ultra-performance all-season tire out there, very reasonably priced, have great grip (for an all-season), and a good "bang for the buck". If you just need some rubber for the hot weather, I'd recommend Toyo T1-R's and Azenis Sport 615's. Both should be coming out soon. My opinion on those 2 tires is based on the prior models (Toyo T1-S and Azenis Sport 215), which were great.

 

[larchmont]

Ladies?

 

[HondaMan]

First, let me say that I'm a little partial to Toyo rubber. Conversely, I think the OEM Michelin tires suck (My last car, a Mazda6, had the Michelin Pilot Sport summer tires as OEM, too). With that said, are you looking for strictly a summer tire, or are you looking for something that you can use all year round? I'm not sure what area you're in, but Toyo Proxes 4's are great if you don't plan on switching shoes in the winter. IMO, they're the best ultra-performance all-season tire out there, very reasonably priced, have great grip (for an all-season), and a good "bang for the buck". If you just need some rubber for the hot weather, I'd recommend Toyo T1-R's and Azenis Sport 615's. Both should be coming out soon. My opinion on those 2 tires is based on the prior models (Toyo T1-S and Azenis Sport 215), which were great.

Yeah, I will probably be getting Falken Azenis when the time comes (2 years from now...hehe)...great performance tires for the price.

 

[pocketkiller]

Thank you for the recommendation. I want summer tire only. I live in San Diego, so it only rains 10 days a year. Are the Toyo's very expensive? How come West Coast custom's always uses the Fusion ZRI on all the cars on pimp my ride?

 

[pocketkiller]

Yeah, I will probably be getting Falken Azenis when the time comes (2 years from now...hehe)...great performance tires for the price.

I don't think these tires in the right size...215/50/17

 

[joerockt]

Thank you for the recommendation. I want summer tire only. I live in San Diego, so it only rains 10 days a year. Are the Toyo's very expensive? How come West Coast custom's always uses the Fusion ZRI on all the cars on pimp my ride?

So were you hiding under a rock this winter? I would say we broke our 10 day limit this year :laugh:

 

[joerockt]

How come West Coast custom's always uses the Fusion ZRI on all the cars on pimp my ride?

Probably because they were the higest bidder that week. They've used Pirelli P-Zero nero's as well.

 

[pocketkiller]

Probably because they were the higest bidder that week. They've used Pirelli P-Zero nero's as well.

that's true...it's always the guy with the spike in his chin too

 

[HondaMan]

I don't think these tires in the right size...215/50/17

Original Equipment Optional = 225/45-17 via tirerack.com

The load rating on the Azenis Sport of 90 is slightly lower than the OEM 93, but I don't think it is a big deal. I ran these tires with a similar lower load rating on my Civic Si in Autocross race events & hard daily driving with no problems/worries. These tires are preferred by many top national Autocross drivers...they have incredible grip!

 

[pocketkiller]

I'm sure you are aware, the original equipment tires are 215/50/17...not the size you mentioned. How would the Azenis compare to the Fuzion ZRI or Yoko AVS ES100? or Avon Tech 5000 for that matter.

 

[amadeus303]

I'm sure you are aware, the original equipment tires are 215/50/17...not the size you mentioned. How would the Azenis compare to the Fuzion ZRI or Yoko AVS ES100? or Avon Tech 5000 for that matter.

215/50/17 is the OEM tire size, but 225/45/17 is perfectly within acceptable limits... I don't think you'd notice any difference in ride at all. They're a little bit wider than OEM, and the sidewall is a tad shorter. Comparatively speaking, they'll give your car a slightly more aggressive look. 215/50/17 is a bit difficult to find in a summer tire; that particular size is more common on all-season's. As for how the Azenis would compare to the other tires you mentioned? I couldn't say for sure, as I've always used Toyo's or the Azeni's. If you're really set on going with Tire Rack, I've heard really good things about Avon's from guys on another board I belong to --- I believe the company used to make motorcycle rubber specifically, but now are crossing-over into the car territory.

 

[pocketkiller]

215/50/17 is the OEM tire size, but 225/45/17 is perfectly within acceptable limits... I don't think you'd notice any difference in ride at all. They're a little bit wider than OEM, and the sidewall is a tad shorter. Comparatively speaking, they'll give your car a slightly more aggressive look. 215/50/17 is a bit difficult to find in a summer tire; that particular size is more common on all-season's. As for how the Azenis would compare to the other tires you mentioned? I couldn't say for sure, as I've always used Toyo's or the Azeni's. If you're really set on going with Tire Rack, I've heard really good things about Avon's from guys on another board I belong to --- I believe the company used to make motorcycle rubber specifically, but now are crossing-over into the car territory.

OH I see what you mean by tire size. Wouldn't 235/45/17 compare better to the oem's, and be the most similar in revolutions per mile to the OEM?

Yea I selected those tires based on price, ratings, and reviews on tire rack. I like the fuzion's because of the higher treadware and lower price though. The Azeni's are not on tirerack...but from my comparison's, tire rack is so much cheaper than any local shop!

 

[HondaMan]

OH I see what you mean by tire size. Wouldn't 235/45/17 compare better to the oem's, and be the most similar in revolutions per mile to the OEM?

Yea I selected those tires based on price, ratings, and reviews on tire rack. I like the fuzion's because of the higher treadware and lower price though. The Azeni's are not on tirerack...but from my comparison's, tire rack is so much cheaper than any local shop!

The 235 is the width of the tire and the 45 (aspect ratio) is what would effect your speedometer or revolutions per mile slightly.

For example:
215/50/17 = 55 MPH; Revolutions per mile = 792
225/45/17 = 56 MPH; Revolutions per mile = 807.6
http://www.stuegli.com/images/anim/tiresize.htm (there is a better one out there but I can't find it right now)

This is the best place online to buy Falkens (where I got mine in the past):
http://www.vulcantire.com/

 

[pocketkiller]

and 235/45/17 is 796.3 revolutions per mile, so it would be a better fit.

 

[HondaMan]

and 235/45/17 is 796.3 revolutions per mile, so it would be a better fit.

Well yeah, I guess it would but I doubt 235 would fit well inside our fenders (a lot of rubbing going on).

BTW, my bad...I thought aspect ratio was the only real factor that effected revolutions per mile. I know better now.

 

[pocketkiller]

yea rubbing that's not good. I wonder if anyone used 235's with oem rims?

 

[JoeB18R]

I dislike my AVS ES100s. I say spend a tad bit extra and go for some Toyo Proxies T1-S or if you want something cheaper, but super sticky go with the Falken RT615s. Those rule! ...just not in the snow.

 

[AlterZgo]

yea rubbing that's not good. I wonder if anyone used 235's with oem rims?

Yes. And there is no rubbing at all. In fact, there are people who are running TL rims/tires with no rubbing on a TSX. TL rims are 17x8 +45 offset. Tires are 235-45-17. If you run the 235-45-17 on the stock TSX 17x7 +55 offset rim, it won't rub - even if you lower it significantly.

 

[HondaMan]

Yes. And there is no rubbing at all. In fact, there are people who are running TL rims/tires with no rubbing on a TSX. TL rims are 17x8 +45 offset. Tires are 235-45-17. If you run the 235-45-17 on the stock TSX 17x7 +55 offset rim, it won't rub - even if you lower it significantly.

Cool...good to know.