>I'm in need of street tires for the neon and would like to get some
summer
>only tires that will be suitable for heavy rain use in autox. I care
>about stuff in the following order:
====================
Based off of your stated preferences (and my insanity) I make the
following suggestions:
>1st) Good rain tire for autox
====================
Full tread depth set of Toyo RA1s (8/32" of tread) or Kumho V700 (6/32"
of tread) tires in 205/55-14 size. I think both brands also are
available in a slightly cheaper 195/60-14 size though the difference
will likely be less than $10 each, and some width.
>2nd) At least 10k miles of street wear (with race alignment)
=====================
Should last all year as long as you minimize the number of burnouts and
lockups and don't push around every corner like I do. ;^)
>3rd) Street performance
=====================
NO 14" street tire made will come close to giving you the same amount of
grip both laterally and going straight as these "R" tires. Period.
>Again, this is on a neon with stock wheels, so anything that isn't sold
in
>14" sizes doesn't help. Stock tire size is 185/65-14, can go up to 205
in
>width. Want to keep speedo at least close.
>
>I've only seen one tire that seems to meet the bill:
>
>Yokohama AVS Intermediate. 205/60-14 ($72)
========================
The two brands I mentioned above will cost slightly more than $100 each
but once you try them you'll likely never go back to "regular" street
tires for spring, summer and fall usage. Until you wear them out and
have to put the stockers back on until your next set arrives via UPS.
>Are there any others? I saw an RE-71 195/55-14, but that seems
narrower
>and would definately negatively affect the speedo...
>
>The tire has to be workable on the street, so I don't know if the 'dirt
>stocker' I've heard about would do that or not...
>
>Thanks!
>
>Mark
>(tell me again how non-race tires are good? You'd have to reclass
based
>on tire availability for smaller rims...)
========================
The only downsides to the two brands I mentioned above are that they
will probably barely last three seasons if you get abusive to them and
they are so sticky that they will pelt your lower rocker panels with
every piece of sand and pebble that they can pick up. So I'd suggest
getting some of that Stone-guard (adhesive clear plastic panels) stuff
to put on your lower body panels to prevent all kinds of rock chips.
Of course if those tires cost a little too much and you can't stand the
thought of a bunch of rock chips or having to put the plastic panels on
then you'd probably be happy (thought not quite as much) with the AVS
tires.
Just my opinion. And remember that I'm a madman!!!! ;^)
See you on course.
Eric Linnhoff in KC
#69DS TLS #13
'98 Neon R/T
<eric10mm@qni.com>
"Yeah, we're runnin' a little bit hot tonight.
I can barely see the road from the heat comin' off of it.
Ah, you reach down, between my legs,
ease the seat back.
She's blinding, I'm flying,
Right behind the rear-view mirror now.
Got the feeling, power steering,
Pistons popping, ain't no stopping now!"
-------------------------------------------------------------
"Panama" by Van Halen
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