Advice on tires

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Linda
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Advice on tires

Post by Linda »

I need to get new tires, and thought I'd check here for your recommendations. They don 't wear out just get old. I like the 175/70/14 Sumitomo summer tires I have but they don't make them anymore. I don't want to spend alot as they don't get much use but I want a safe tire. I have to check if a 185/65/14 will clear on my car with my Appliance wheels. If so I saw the Sumitomo HTR PO1 I think it was, a summer performance tire. Anyone have any experience with this tire, or another that is good?
TIA

Linda
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Steve Simmons
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Re: Advice on tires

Post by Steve Simmons »

14" tires are getting pretty hard to find in anything decent. The Sumitomos were one of the better gripping tires, if not a bit flimsy in construction. The only tires I know of right now that are really nice and in your size are the Vredstein Sprint Classic. Someone else may have a better (and cheaper) suggestion. Might even check with the VW Bug crowd since many of them use 165 and 175 14" tires. Here's a link to the Vredsteins at Coker. You may find them cheaper elsewhere, I'm not sure. I do know that the 165 size is much cheaper, probably by about $50.

http://www.cokertire.com/brands/vredest ... assic.html

If you want to see one in person in 175/15, I'm not far away.
Linda
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Re: Advice on tires

Post by Linda »

Thanks Steve. I heard Vredsteins were good from a fellow owner. Don't want to pay 161 per tire though. The Sumitomo is 57 plus shipping at Tire Rack. Performance tires have firmer sidewalls I was told. I only want a performance so that I can stop or get out of the way, not for pushing it. LOL
I'm going to ask around some more and see what others are using. I know alot of Datsun owners have gone to a 15 wheel.
SuperCar Sunday is a good spot for checking on tire setups too.

Linda
Linda
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Re: Advice on tires

Post by Linda »

I did get the Sumitomo HTR PO1 tires, 185/65/14 and they will do for the number of miles I drive, and the way I drive. Pretty inexpensive for this type of tire, they are H rated.

Linda :drive

7/14- the tires performed well on a fun run up to Angeles Crest. I'm no expert but anyway better than the old tires.
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malcolmr18zoy
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Re: Advice on tires

Post by malcolmr18zoy »

The Sumitomo HTR PO1 is a great tire. I have them on my MGB, and would recommend them. My only complaint is that the sidewalls are a little stiff, which gives a slightly harsh ride.
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Steve Simmons
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Re: Advice on tires

Post by Steve Simmons »

But a stiff sidewall equates to more responsive handling. A worthy trade in my book. This is precisely why I hated the Sumitomo HTR-200 despite the great rubber they used. The tire stuck to the ground well, but the sidewalls were so thin and weak that steering had a lot of "whip" in it. No idea how the PO1 compares.
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malcolmr18zoy
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Re: Advice on tires

Post by malcolmr18zoy »

I preferred the HTR200s for that very reason. I guess I'm getting old, arrrgh!
Malcolm
Linda
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Re: Advice on tires

Post by Linda »

I did as much research as possible(which I always do even if I'm buying a toaster :roll: ) and the Sumitomo tire got decent reviews but it wears faster than advertised. For me that is not an issue. Tires get old before they wear out on my Datsun. As I understand it a performance tire has a stiffer side wall , generally while a touring tire is a little softer in the sidewall. This tire is a "performance touring"... A blend. Speed rating is a little higher at H vs T. They are quiet also which I like.
I never realized how hard old tires can be, these are so much better, and for the price not bad at all.

Linda
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Steve Simmons
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1969 MGC GTS
Location: Co-Nay-Ho Valley
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Re: Advice on tires

Post by Steve Simmons »

One of the biggest improvements that can be made on any car, in my opinion, is new tires to replace old ones.

You did well to find H rated tires in 14". They aren't common at all anymore.
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