Tire tread pattern recommendations

[honda_burner]

I just bought a new to me 2gb talon awd turbo. She is in need of four new sneakers (tires) and I was looking for a tire that had a larger block pattern. Think drag radial street tire. I was looking at these:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/BigPi...&tireModel=Potenza+RE-11A&partnum=345WR7RE11A

I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions or input on these tires.

The car is completely stock right now and will only be summer driven. I want a tire that will grip well on summer streets but I am also going for look. I am aware that is not the best way to purchase tires, but that is my reasoning for making this post. I am trying to get opinions on tires tread patterns and handling.

Price range should be in the $200 per tire area. Open to cheaper options though.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions and help.

 

[TJCTalon]

If this is a summer/track only tire Id go with the hankook RS-3.

But If this tire sees any wet weather Id go with something different. Maybe the BFG kdw's or the Conti extremes.

Im personally running the RS-3's on my track car/summer weekend car. Car will not see rain or snow ever.

 

[KAOI]

I like hankooks ventus v12's. They have good grip and good handling.

If you're going for a "good looking tread" I think they also do well in the looks dept. Great handling tire plus if you get caught in the rain they've still got some grip. Great price too.

Look to spend under $150 per tire possibly around $100(depending on size). pretty damn good deal.

 

[HIGHPSI4]

The Hankooks are good. I am running Goodyear F1's and like them. You can find them down aroung 200 each.

 

[TSiAWD666]

People buy tires for looks? Really? I did not know that.

I love my Nitto NT05 tires, but I do mostly track driving with them as opposed to street driving. They are pretty awesome on the track, about the best I've driven short of an R-compound, though and I'd imagine work pretty well on the street too

 

[honda_burner]

I know tires aren't supposed to be bought off the look of the tread, sorry if that sounds ridiculous, but I've got an idea in my head of what I'm looking for. The tires I listed are the closest I have come to finding it but not really. Also a reason I wanted ideas of what people are running on their summer cars, so I have a better direction of things to look at.
The size I will be running is a 235/45/17. Sorry, I forgot to post that. Thanks for the suggestions so far.

 

[honda_burner]

Those nitto's are pretty nice tires! Thanks!

 

[knochgoon24]

Dunlop Direzza ZII
http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/dunlop/du_direzza_zii_ci1_l.jpg

The Z1's had awesome grip and were a leading autox/DD tire. The ZII's are even better.

But if you're looking for a more blocky look, there are the Nitto 555's

 

[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

People buy tires for looks? Really? I did not know that.

I love my Nitto NT05 tires, but I do mostly track driving with them as opposed to street driving. They are pretty awesome on the track, about the best I've driven short of an R-compound, though and I'd imagine work pretty well on the street too

Oh yes they do! I did but they must perform aswell thats why I went from eagle f1s to vrederstein ultrac sessanta as there used in the porsche gt cup and I like them alot

 

[TSiAWD666]

Regarding the Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs, the Nitto NT05s easily are much better than them on a road course. I personally think the NT05s have more traction but at a minimum they are equal, however the Star Specs get greasy much sooner than the NT05s. Might be a non-issue on an auto-x course though, as it took a number of laps before I started noticing the Star Specs greasing up on a road course. No idea how the ZII tires are.

 

[knochgoon24]

I wouldn't use the Z1's or the ZII's on a road course. I don't think they were designed for that kind of use. I've had Z1's get greasy on a hot day on a long autox course. They got nice and grippy, then started to fall off. But they make a great autox/dd tire.

 

[snowborder714]

Yup, the Star Specs aren't meant for road course use. I did it once and they got greasy after 4-5 laps or so (in 100°+ weather). Granted, I didn't have many consistent laps because of cooling issues, but I still noticed it. They are very good for autox and spirited street driving, even when it's wet out.

 

[honda_burner]

Yup, the Star Specs aren't meant for road course use. I did it once and they got greasy after 4-5 laps or so (in 100°+ weather). Granted, I didn't have many consistent laps because of cooling issues, but I still noticed it. They are very good for autox and spirited street driving, even when it's wet out.

Very good to know. I will be looking into those. Like I said, the car is a secondary, fun summer day car, so hot summer streets will be where it lives. Nice to know if I get stuck in a rain storm I can count on these to not give out on me. I'm liking the tread pattern. Perhaps I will pick up a set of these instead. Thanks

 

[snowborder714]

For reference, my brother and I got caught in fairly heavy rain on the way back from the Shootout. I have the Star Specs and he's running the RS-3's. I was able to keep cruising at 50mph+ on the highway and my brother had to slow down a good bit. My car wasn't 100% stable (and I don't think anyone was at points since there were lines of cars pulled over on the side), but I was able to safely drive it without feeling too much hydroplaning.

 

[TSiAWD666]

I will third that the Direzza Z1 Star Specs are great in the rain, and great on the street for daily driving. They're the tire on my Evo 9 at the moment.

 

[honda_burner]

Thank you. Looks like I found a new winner. All the quick and helpful responses are appreciated!

 

[KAOI]

Heres and in depth comparison of cheap summer tires
<a title="Tire test: Nine Affordable Summer tires" href="http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/tire-test-nine-affordable-summer-tires-take-on-the-michelin-ps2-comparison-tests">Tire test: Nine Affordable Summer tires</a>


AND heres another well rounded test done on some more tires.
<a title="Scroll down to the 5th post" href="http://www.the370z.com/wheels-tires/7051-anyone-tried-hankook-ventus-v12-series.html">Scroll down to the 5th post</a> . Its a bunch of photos from a magazine but it still works

Also note the location of the ventus v12's in both of the tests

 

[knochgoon24]

Funny you mention the V12's. I have those on my car now. I wanted something that was a bit cheaper than the Z1's and I was willing to give up some dry grip for a little better DD (wet) performance. These tires are also solid.

 

[Diamond Star Werks]

Funny you mention the V12's. I have those on my car now. I wanted something that was a bit cheaper than the Z1's and I was willing to give up some dry grip for a little better DD (wet) performance. These tires are also solid.

I had ventus tires on my old eclipse on tsw's granted they had little life left when I got the car they felt very responsive and stuck to the road.

 

[Total Eclipse]

I personally run the Nitto Neo-Gen. It's a fairly cheap tire, but grips good dry or wet. wear is excellent as well. I had them on my Fianc&#233;'s dd car for about 4 years before they needed replaced. dry and warm, they stick to the road like duct tape! I'm sure it's not the best tire out there, but damn well worth the money and then some!

Nate

 

[jtmcinder]

I like hankooks ventus v12's. They have good grip and good handling.

Actually, they don't. The sidewall is too soft. They are terrible.

My $.02:

R-S3s if you have to deal with heat and it doesn't rain often.

Direzzas if it does rain and never gets hot.