VelvetWombat

Ok - so I've been reading all the posts for a day or two, and at this point, I really just want some opinions on my exact setup.

Stock dunlops on my '04 6sp currently with 11K miles, but I bought it used and one of the tires started leaking air last week. I figure why not buy some new tires, so here goes...

Vegas - very little rain, no snow, pretty crappy roads for the most part.
My driving - I used to think I drove "normally" but after reading posts, and weaving in and out of traffic since I got my 8, I realize that I'm quite a bit more agressive than most sports car drivers... in fact, I tend to drift around the freeway entrance ramp everyday I can on my way to work, with the pedal to the floor 8k rpm's as much as possible, if that tells you anything... probably why I have the air leak...

I don't want to drop the cash on new rims now. I probably never will, so stock rims it is.

With all that in mind, I'm thinking that going to a 245/40R18 will give me a little stiffer sidewall, with hopefully improved handling given a quality tire. Sound right? Or would anyone go even smaller? The obvious concern would be lowering the overall ride height, with crappy roads, I don't think that would be wise, but if it means I can take the crappy roads faster, hmmm....

Next, actual tires. From reading all the posts, looks like one of the top favs around here is the:
Toyo T1R's - EdgeRacing.com - $165
Some people like Kumho, it appears:
The Kumho Ecsta MX - TireRack.com - $159

I like the Falken name (not sure why, really), but the only tire from them that appears worthwhile would be the:
Falken Azenis Rt615 - EdgeRacing.com - $156 - but the treadware is terrible compared to the others... don't think it's worthwhile.

Lastly, any reason not to go with the:
Hankook Ventus V4 Es H105 - EdgeRacing.com - $130 - and treadware is 420 they claim, which is way higher than the above tires... Would I notice the difference between the T1R's and these, do y'all think?

I realize there is alot of personal preference in the tire game, but given my desire to drive like Mad Max in and out of traffic, I figure I may as well try to do it as reliably as possible, and some of y'all out there can relate, I'm sure...

Those are the choices I can clearly see. I may say to heck with it all and walk into Bridgestone and just buy the best tire they can sell me and install right there... but I'd like to get a deal, I figure, and a good tire at the same time. Maybe Fix a flat will tide my stock tire over for a week while I get feedback and decide... Thanks to everyone for opinions and wisdom...

Revolver

heh heh, with a name like VelvetWombat, I just had to jump in here (see my location).

You're right about personal preferences and IMHO although there are broad categories of agreement over what suits, there's plenty of room for differing views.

If you're going to stick with the OEM rims, I wouldn't go to 245 width. Others may disagree but Mazda stretched 225's onto the 8.0 inch wide rims for a very good reason. The sharpness of turn-in we all enjoy wasn't a happy accident. Plus, there's no way the chassis is overwhelmed with power (assuming no FI mods) so it's not like you really need the extra width for grip reasons. Contrary to your hopes of stiffer sidewalls, some guys I know who have fitted 245's reckon they have noticed greater sidewall squirm when really pushing hard (i.e. tyre too wide for the rim).

As for choice, don't overlook the Michelin PS2's (I've fitted 235's to 18 x 8.5 inch rims). Ours roads are probably comparable (to a limited extent) in that they can get pretty rough. I've noticed the PS2's are quieter and ride better than the OEM rubber as well as providing better levels of grip if my increased corner speeds through local twisties are anything to go by.

However, I've got a friend with the T1-R's and I don't think you can go too far wrong with them. Frankly, unless you're tracking the car regularly, it's doubtful you'll notice a huge amount of difference between the top 3 or 4 tyres (the rubber religion types will flame me for this heresy but it's just my opinion).

Good luck and let us know what you get and what you think of them.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

you are more aggressive than most sports car drivers???? how.. you weave in and out of traffic, that make you an idiot..

if you auto x sometimes you might want to upgrade tires. or if you do a track day see above....

but if you are just driving on the street, get over yourself!!!!! many threads on this...

beers

VelvetWombat

Wow, swoope, I guess my tongue-in-cheek description of my driving style has offended your super-tuned, high-performance sensibilities... Obviously, looking at your sig, I wouldn't put you in the "most sports car drivers" category, but I guess that's a matter of perspective... Funny how my town is full of rich dudes and strippers driving porsche 911 turbos doing 60 in the fast lane... I guess that has tainted my perception of "most" sports car drivers...
So thank you for your oh-so-useful dissertation on driving and humility, I think it changed my life completely... yeah...

That is pretty amusing - if you run into one, let me know... A velvet one of course... if it's got gold teeth, that'd be even better.

Thank you Revolver for the eye-opener on width. That makes perfect sense to me, so now I think I'll be looking for a 225/40R18... Much appreciated.
Anyone else have other thoughts about tires? Or heck, if you're teaching driving school I obviously need some tips, so throw those in here too... :

zaglo6204

+1 for the T1R's. i have them in 245/40, as my car is a daily driver & the *very slight* increase in sidewall 'squirm' just helps me out with some intensely pothole-plagued roads in my town. the traction is great, & the tires are extremely quiet. i haven't tried anything else, but i really don't have anything but praise for these. good luck...