What's a good, fairly sticky tire in 185/60/14 size? Snow performance is irrelevant (got a 4x4 truck for that), and rain is infrequent here. This would be strictly for street driving (no racing), but I like to drive fairly aggressively.
The tires I got now are some Toyo Spectrums, and I absolutely hate them. Don't handle nearly as well as the Dunlops I had previously, but most annoyingly, they screech someting awful when I push them even a little. Can anyone suggest a better replacement?
I like my Yoko AVS ES-100s a lot -- very sticky on dry and wet roads, but I don't believe they'll last too long compared to a more "standard" tire. I'm told they make snow like ball bearings, but I have an old 4Runner for days when snow might be possible.
i've got 15" wheels on my '99 sport so i don't know that your sizes are available, but here's a couple i like:
bridgestone s-03. plenty sticky, very good wet performance, average weight/ride/noise. falken azenis rt-215 (formerly 'rs'). near r-compound stick, good wet performance *provided no standing water*, heavy, stiff, loud.
obviously the s-03 is a better all-around tire...but the falkens are *crazy* fun and are what mine is currently wearing. i am also blessed with a nice climate and alternate 4x4 vehicle and like to drive sideways. i expect ~15k miles out of this set, and at ~$70/ea. i'll be replacing them with the same.
fwiw,
dookie http://24.163.64.21/miata.htm
Toyo T1-S is my choice. Others are Bridgestone S-03 and Yokohama AVS ES-100. If you can stand a tire that sounds like you are driving an off-road vehicle, then there is the Falken Azenis.
So far I'm pretty happy with a set of AVS ES-100s, though they're a little noisy and I only can speak for dry traction (very good).
Dana
Sounds like you have gotten great choices so far. I bought Falken Azenis, but I auto-X and they are THE non-R compound tire for that. Otherwise I probably would have gone for the Toyo Proxes T1-S. Check tirerack.com for reviews. In 14", you can get the Falkens for dirt cheap, ~$50-60? I'm jealous.
I have to agree with all the above, loved the Azenis but passenger hated them, turned them into autocross only tires and went with an inexpensive tire with long mileage and decent traction, excellent ride, Bridgestone 'Eager'. They have surprisingly good grip wet and dry and I like to be able to push to the edges of adhesion (that's where the fun is) often. Plus, with too many cars to keep running and 'shoed' I really appreciate the high treadwear rating. My wife appreciates the good ride and that means she's more likely to be up for 'rides in the country'. Not a bad trade off, in my opinion.
Chris
92BB&T
All of it? You really did not feel the slightest nagging doubt about a single statement?
Leon
HuH? When I checked, neither the Falkens nor the TS-1's are available in 185/60/14 size. I think of the tires mentioned, the Yokos are my only choice.
T1-S come in 195/55-15 which is actually better than 185/60-14.
you're not going to get anything too fun if it absolutely has to be
185/60-14. s-03's are 15" only.however, the azenis in 195/60-14 are $46 each. yes, you read that right.
dookie
I got in on this a little late but...
About a month ago, I got some Falken ZIEX 512 tires in 185/60/14. At first, I was disappointed in them as they felt very mushy and understeered some. That was at 27psi. I fooled around with the pressure and found that at 31psi, they handle fairly well, don't squeel, give a very good ride and are pretty quiet. They are NOT racing tires and are still a bit mushy in hard cornering, but for all around driving, I'm pretty happy and I drive pretty aggressively at times.
Jan -
Not quite the Potenza RE750's I'm running, but it looks like the RE950's would be a good choice as well...
- L
'97 STO, "Chouki"
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