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Long story short, my Yoko's are at 2/32", and I've been in the market for some new tires for awhile now. Been putting it off for money reasons, but it's time for some serious consideration. I've had my mind set on Kumho XS' for about the last 2 months, but I found out I might be moving soon and may need something a bit more realistic I kinda want them to last over a year.

So, having said that, lets have some recommendations. Don't bother with knock off China tires or anything remotely cheap, I've been saving up and cost isn't a concern. I want GRIP, with the only sacrifice being a little more tread life. I've looked at RT-615's, RE010's, etc. I know people who have ran them all, but none on a Neon. I know Mox got the XS', but unfortunately his car sees different terrain than mine does (no autox plans for me, just the daily commute and the canyons on weekends). I'm still thinking about getting them, and buying a spare set for winter time/long drives etc. I just want them to last a year or more. I'd hate to spend $500 on these things only to have them toast in six months! BTW I will be running zero toe fr/r and about 2 deg camber all around.

Thanks!

My friend in his first gen ACR ran 615's for 2 years (granted in the spring-fall when snow was no longer an issue) and they were a great tire. He got them used and they still lasted 2 years. He also used them for about 3 or 4 autox events.

He has now moved on to Hankook Ventus R-S2, again he got them used and they lasted all summer and he should have enough tread for this summer as well.

Ive also talked to a customer with a WRX and he actually ran RE010s for awhile and he switched back to 615s. Dont really know if that means anything to you but I figured Id throw it out there.

IMO I would get a set of 615's. Its really the only max performance summer tire I have had personal experience with for a decent amount of time. They are pretty much tried and true and sell for a decent price.

Next in line would be the XS's, RE010, and Dunlop Z1 Star Specs.

Oh, as far as experience I have 2 years of working at Discount Tire under my belt, not much I know but I do deal with more tires in one week then most people will in their entire lifetime.

I would check out tirerack.com and read a lot of the reviews on the tires you may be interested in. Its really the best resource short of talking to consumers of these type of tires in person. Ignore UTQG ratings unless your comparing them to the same manufacture.

The problem with UTQG Treadwear Grades is that they are open to some interpretation on the part of the tire manufacturer because they are assigned after the tire has only experienced a little treadwear as it runs the 7,200 miles. This means that the tire manufacturers need to extrapolate their raw wear data when they are assigning Treadwear Grades, and that their grades can to some extent reflect how conservative or optimistic their marketing department is. Typically, comparing the Treadwear Grades of tire lines within a single brand is somewhat helpful, while attempting to compare the grades between different brands is not as helpful.

You see, I know a guy who's run both generations of Azenis and loved them, both on the track and street. But after trying the XS he basically said that the Falkens are junk compared to them. I've read nothing but rave reviews on the XS, so if I do indeed get a UHPST, it's gonna be the XS.

I'm more thinking along the lines of something with a treadwear closer to ~250 but without too much grip compromise. The XS are rated at 180, and pretty much all the others in it's class are at 200. It's a tough choice, because I've been wanting balls out no compromise tires for like 3 years now.

I wonder how much I could get a set of used HP all weather tires for...


Thanks for the insight though, every bit helps!

RT-615s are ok but as mox says every time they are a very outdated tire.

Compared to all the others mentioned the Rt-615s probably have the worst driver input and if you ever heat them up make sure you are ready to under-steer because once these tires get hot they are like driving on ice.

The RE010s may be better for your driving style especially if you want the tires to last a long time.

What tire size are you planning to run? based on the tires available for the size it might help us narrow down your options.

Well If you have already used the 615 and the generation before that then I would try something different. You already know what works well, but its fun to experiment right? Try the XS's and see what happens. They really are not to much more then the 615s. (a 205/50/15 Falken is $84 while a XS in the same size is $89).

Another factor with the XS is that they start at 205/50/15, 215/45/16, then jump to a 255 width. So your kinda limited on sizes.

There are a few Dunlops that have a UTQG of 280. My old DZ101s had a rating of 300 and were plenty sticky for a DD but were NOT a "all out tire". I could chirp them shifting to 2nd.

I plan on getting the XS in 215/45/16. Meatballs.


mopar korean - I didn't run the azenis personally, a friend did.

Ive got a customer that is a road racing/autox instructor and he runs the Toyo R888's and loves them. His friend has a Lotus Elise and we have put R888s and the XS. They seems to love the grip and they both have alot of knowledge in the sport.

OB wrote:I plan on getting the XS in 215/45/16. Meatballs.


mopar korean - I didn't run the azenis personally, a friend did.

Got ya, I must have read to fast. Well when you get them lets us know how you like them!

SlvrACR wrote:Ive got a customer that is a road racing/autox instructor and he runs the Toyo R888's and loves them. His friend has a Lotus Elise and we have put R888s and the XS. They seems to love the grip and they both have alot of knowledge in the sport.

Yikes 100 treadwear and over $200 a tire = NOPE!

LOL ya he only uses them on the track and has pretty deep pockets. He goes through 2 sets a summer. He use to run some type of Falkins that didnt even show a treadwear on the tag.

I wish I could afford to chew through tires like that. Believe me, I would if I could!

OB wrote:I wish I could afford to chew through tires like that. Believe me, I would if I could!

Xeleventybillion!

I know Blair (boneyardracing) runs rt 615's, and really enjoys using them in the 195/60/14 size. Hopefully he'll see this and pop in here.

Just a bump. Derek, I saw something about Kumho coming out with 4 new tires? I mention it because I know you like your Kumho's, lol. If you haven't gotten anything, may be worth checking out to see what they actually are.

These would actually be my first set of Kumhos. They haven't released anything new in the same class as the XS, I just checked into it. Then, I ordered the XS'! $460 shipped, ouch.

I have v710s on my car. Very fun tires.

Kumho typically have softer sidewalls. I ran the Ecsta SPTs for a few years and really liked them.

Right now I am running BFG SS A/S which are okay in the dry and just get by in the snow. Will be going to dedicated summer/winter tires next time around.

Jerome Adams wrote:Kumho typically have softer sidewalls. I ran the Ecsta SPTs for a few years and really liked them.

Right now I am running BFG SS A/S which are okay in the dry and just get by in the snow. Will be going to dedicated summer/winter tires next time around.

The XS's corner stability is rated quite a bit higher than it's competitors. I don't feel the typical sidewall squish and bounce that you would typically feel with a soft sidewall car. IMO the XS's are actually more firm and rough than just about any other tire I've used.

OB wrote:These would actually be my first set of Kumhos. They haven't released anything new in the same class as the XS, I just checked into it. Then, I ordered the XS'! $460 shipped, ouch.

I buy tires 3 to 4 times a year and if i could get a set for $460 I'd be ecstatic. My last set of tires was more than double that price.

Huge EVO fitment FTL. Why not run a smaller wheel/tire setup Mox?

Price a set of 295/35ZR18's installed. That's FTL. The set of tires alone can range from ~$1,000-$2,000. Glad I only had to buy a few sets of those before I switched.

What is everyone opinion on the BF Goodrich g-Force KD. I will need a set of 215/35/18.