Tire suggestions for US cars

[elan+2]

Looking for tire suggestions for us car. As 13" tires are all but unavailable finding a good proformance tire is becoming impossible. Need both tire suggestion and where to purchase.
Thanks

Glenn

[Ross Robbins]

Glenn,

I ave the Kumho Solus 185/70 13 on my car and I am very happy with them. While it is not a "performance" tire in the sense of some of today's really sticky track biased tires, it is way more performance oriented than anything available in the day and suits the Plus 2 very well.

As for a source, there is always the forum sponsor, Tire Rack, or any good local tire shop should be able to get them for you. Good luck and happy driving!

[elan+2]

Will the 185 fit without rubbing the rear spring? I am runnung 175 now.

Thanks

[RotoFlexible]

Will the 185 fit without rubbing the rear spring? I am runnung 175 now.

If you are looking for 175/70-13, you might consider the
Sumitomo HTR 200. I have no experience or second-hand knowledge of the tire, but it is in Tire Rack's "High Performance Summer" category and has some favorable reviews (and a few not so favorable). And, it's relatively inexpensive at $45.

[prezoom]

Hi Glenn,

I have the Sumitomo HTR 200's on my S2. They are round and black and hold air. I have yet to get the tire to unstick in spirited driving. Are they what I would call a performance tire? No..... But for street use they seem to work pretty good. And they are cheap. With less than $200 invested, if you don't like them, put them on your lawn mower and spend a lot more for Michelin's. They do feel a bit "heavy" as they are designed for a much heavier sedan lump. I got mine from Tire Rack. I try to keep to the old saying: "Don't try to race your drive car and don't try to drive your race car" I keep the animals separated.

Rob Walker
26-4889

[Ross Robbins]

Glenn,
As I said, I am running the 185/70 13 Kumhos and I am without any interference whatsoever, front or back, even on full lock. I have had a track day with the car and found it absolutely predictable (though with pretty modest limits). I apparently have not yet learned Rob's lesson of keeping my street car on the street, but my race car was not running on a Lotus track day so I HAD to run something, right? As a street tire they work fine even in spirited canyon carving. And, as has been noted, they are pretty cheap. I have the Sumitomo's on my BMW 2800 CS and they are similar. I think you'll be reasonably pleased with either choice.

[elan+2]

Thanks everyone for your input.

[memini55]

Hi Glenn,

My son has used both the 185/60 and 175/70 HTR200's Cheap and readily available but will wear tread fairly fast.
The 185's need the rear spring perch mdified for clearence, lower one with a few hammer blows to gain needed clearence. Don't think you would need to do that with the 175's. The 175's are taller and a little better for highway speeds. Both option work.

He also runs a set of Toyo's R888 for autocross in a 185/60, by far the best performance. You can't get them to slip.

Good luck on the search
Mark Doubet

[Melvinelan]

Frank at Interstate Tires 401-666-7333 got me Vredstein 165-13 radials that work great. I've used the Kuhmos, and they are just fine.

[elan+2]

Thanks for the suggestions... It looks like I will be going with the HTR200s. I will post as to how it turns out.