Not happy with my tire choices

[Desertnate]

By fall, I'm going to need new tires, but frankly I'm not really happy with the choices that are available in the stock 205/70/15 size and the fact their all T-rated. I'd like to at least be able to run an H-rated tire. The weather here in St Louis is'nt all that bad.

The best tires I could find in that size are the Traction T/A's, Avid TRZ's, or the Goodyear Triple Treads everyone here likes so well.

The Yoko's and B F Goodrich's are a good price, but I'm not real convinced of their performance. The Goodyear's sound pretty good, but are over $20/tire more and weigh nearly 2lbs a tire more...a real gas sucker I'm afraid.

Anyone go with 215/65/15 in order to improve the selection? The measurements of both sizes are nearly identical, so speedo and gas mileage shouldn't be effected that much.

Suggestions?

[rockhopjohn]

I wouldn't hesitate to switch up the width and the aspect ratios to see if you can find something that will be more to you liking, as long as you aren't exceeding about 27.5" in overall diameter. The BFG traction T/A is a great tire, and would be my choice of the group above.

One of the big limiting factors for you is sticking with a 15" wheel. There are very few performance tires in 15", and the ones that are out there are like 195/55R16 or something, which is really small. The problem is that most performance tires are low aspect ratio (sidewall height as a percentage of tread width) because high aspect tires have a lot of sidewall flex. So you aren't going to find much in the 60-70 aspect range.

[b0x3r]

Originally posted by rockhopjohn
I wouldn't hesitate to switch up the width and the aspect ratios to see if you can find something that will be more to you liking, as long as you aren't exceeding about 27.5" in overall diameter. The BFG traction T/A is a great tire, and would be my choice of the group above.

One of the big limiting factors for you is sticking with a 15" wheel. There are very few performance tires in 15", and the ones that are out there are like 195/55R16 or something, which is really small. The problem is that most performance tires are low aspect ratio (sidewall height as a percentage of tread width) because high aspect tires have a lot of sidewall flex. So you aren't going to find much in the 60-70 aspect range.

Yeah! What he said!

I'm running the BFG Trac T/A and love 'em. But I have 225/60R16 H-rated.

If you're sticking with a 15" wheel, I'd go with the GY TripleTreds in a 215/65R15. That size should be a lil under an inch difference from stock.

If you get a 16" wheel, there are lot more options for 215/60R16.

[Desertnate]

Thanks for the inputs. Keep them coming.

I honestly have never owned a car that rode on a wheel smaller than 16" and an aspect ration larger than around 60. I had no idea how few choices there were and rather forgot about how much a sidewall on a 70 series tire would flex.

According to the Miata.net tire calculator, the diameter is only .3" less and the revs per mile are only 9 different. The only problem is that it will make the speedo read 1% off. If the speedo's are already off, it will only get worse.

Of course I could go with a 225/65/15 which is actually closer....hmmm.....

[b0x3r]

I think the tire choices with 225/65R15 would be fewer than the stock tire choices.

In case you haven't thought of it, you can probably find some 16" wheels on eBay for a pretty good price. You can get yourself a nice set off of a WRX.

[b0x3r]

215/55R17 would be closer to the stock size. There seems to be some good choices with that size, but everything is a bit more expensive with that size.

[Desertnate]

Originally posted by b0x3r
215/55R17 would be closer to the stock size. There seems to be some good choices with that size, but everything is a bit more expensive with that size.

I was trying to use the stock 15" wheels if at all possible. Even if I did decide to replace the wheels, I don't know if I would go clear up to 17". If anything I would just go 16" since there does seem to be a better choice selection in that size. It's amazing how many truly crappy passenger tires are on sale in the 15" range.

[b0x3r]

Originally posted by Desertnate


I was trying to use the stock 15" wheels if at all possible. Even if I did decide to replace the wheels, I don't know if I would go clear up to 17". If anything I would just go 16" since there does seem to be a better choice selection in that size. It's amazing how many truly crappy passenger tires are on sale in the 15" range.

Yeah, personally I'd stick with the stock wheels, too. Justed wanted to throw that out there though.

[soldierguy]

I've heard good things about the Traction T/AT as well.

Two other tires not on your list but worth considering (at least I would) are the Kumho Solus KR21 and the Michelin HydroEdge.

I've got the Michelins on my OB...they're roughly comparable to the Goodyear TripleTred. They handle great in wet or dry and deal well with snow. They're lighter than the TripleTreds and rated for longer mileage, but they are by far the most expensive tire in your size.

The Kumhos are rated very well and are very inexpensive...just over half the cost per tire of the Michelins on TireRack.com. Those might be worth considering as well.

[nipper]

I run BFG's myself, and on a dollar cost basis i love them. i need another set of tires, and since i can not afford Goodyear Tripple Treads, i wil get them again.


nipper