New tires for SXT?

twofish · Post by **twofish** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:42 am

Hi everyone!

I see it's been covered a hundred times with various results for true performance, but not as much for us stockers.

Currently, my 04 has 195/65 15s. It's time for new tires. The old me would solely go for performance, and not care about anything else.

But.... Pregnant wife (and inevitably, the child) + $$$ = having to now care about (shudder) comfort.

So are there any stockers out there who could weigh in on this topic too?

I don't want to sacrifice all the performance... but I do need the tires to be somewhat quiet, and not too harsh of a ride.

Specs: 2004 SXT Bone Stock

Thoughts: 205/60 or 205/55. Less than $70/tire

Which size will be the best tradeoff for performance vs. comfort/noise?

Any brands that really excel over the others for the 2gns? I've always liked Sumitomo and Khuomo tires, but that was in my Subaru and Mustang days.

jetas · Post by **jetas** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 11:43 am

195/65 15s

Did u ever have an issue with them rubbing or anything? i found some that size n i was told it wasa bad idea

twofish · Post by **twofish** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 12:18 pm

haven't had any issues. But that's what was on the car when we bought it 12K ago.

Seems 185/65 15s are the factory size? So the 195s must've been added?

What're you running?

Post by **racer12306** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:12 pm

Hmm, I'm very surprised that they didn't rub.

185/60/15 is the stock size for the SXT.

Personally I would suggest the Yokohama AVID TRZ. They are cheap and perform well in dry, wet and snow. They went up a little in price to $64 each. There are cheaper tires out there in that size, but I am very happy with them. I currently have 45000 miles on them. If I keep the car long enough I bet they will last til 75000 or 80000 miles.

twofish · Post by **twofish** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:17 pm

Thanks Frank!

What size are you rolling? Just the factory?

Post by **racer12306** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:26 pm

Yeah, I'm running the stock size. I prefer to keep tire height at the same height as stock. In the 15" sizes there are no other sizes that are the same height as stock.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:40 pm

I have been happy with the Kumho ASX's. I run a 205/60/15 for my winter tires. As far as rubbing...I have coil-overs so I can't say first hand. My car had 195/60/15's on the stock suppension with no rub issuses. I know my friend runs this size on his 1st gen with no rub issues, and I don't believe you should have any problems.

Tire Rack sells them for $52.00 each. Here is a link...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ... =Ecsta+ASX

And here are the size specs...

Size.................................205/60VR15
Load Index......................91 = 1356lbs (615kg) per tire
Speed Rating.................. “V” = 149mph (240kph) 91V SL
Treadwear:......................420
Traction:...........................A
Temperature:...................A420 A A
Max Load.........................1356 lbs.
Max Pressure....................51 psi
Tread Depth.....................10/32"
Tire Weight.......................21 lbs.
Rim width Range...............5.5-7.5"
Rim Measurement Width...6"
Section Width....................8.2"

This is the important one...

Overall Diam......................24.7"

If you can give me the brand and model of your tire (or check on Tire Rack yourself) and look at the overall Diam. of the tire you are running, it will help make sure you won't run into any hight issues.

srtminime · Post by **srtminime** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:22 am

Damn a 60 series? As long as your close to stock (about 3%) you'll be fine as far as your speedo/ABS. I'd rather go under-sized so I can gain some acceleration/braking...

I run 205-50 Khumo SPTs since the SRT guys prefer the great dry grip and on stock rims they are about 100X better than stock. The sidewall is nice and stiff, fairly quiet at speed and capable in the wet. Summer tire though...

Price was about 400 installed, then I sold my stockers for $40...

Jerome Adams · Post by **Jerome Adams** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:22 pm

I run 205/55 Kumho Ecsta SPT and like them a lot. Check out tire rack they have lots of reviews to read. I would buy the Kumho again. Do you want summer or all season?

tirerack.com

discounttire.com

edgeracing.com

twofish · Post by **twofish** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:27 pm

Looking for all-season... minnesota style.

I'm leaning more and more towards the 205/55 size, probably Kumho. Just looking around here too, see what's in store.

Thanks all!