Anyone have any recomendations for a good high performance summer tire. I have been looking at the Sumitomo HTR200 or the Dunlop GT Qualifier in a 205/60R 13.

I have also looked at the kumo, but I'm concerned about it not being so good on the street or in the rain, has anyone used these as street tires? If so how do they wear?

 

get some kumho victoracers and just dont drive in the rain

 

I don't plan on drving in the rain, but last summer I got caught in it and ended up in a six car pile up on the highway, cause I could not stop. I don't want that to happen again.

 

AdamAnt, I just purchased BFG Radial TAs for my '82 RX7. I got them in 215/50SR13 but you can also get them in 205/60SR13 and 195/60SR13. I have seen them advertised in Road and Track at www.tirerack.com . If you are in Canada, like me, you will need to find a shop that will special order them as my size was not available north of the border. FYI, http://www.rx7heaven.on.ca is where I got mine. They are not the absolute performance tire but they sure look good and perform well while having a good wear rating.

Toughguy

 

isn't a 215 50 to wide for 5.5" stock rim? I was only going for the 205 60 since i though the 215 would not fit.

 

You're right sorry. I purchased them with wheels. Your stock ones are too small and that's why I mentioned the other sizes.

Toughguy

 

rx7passion,

Great album...you have there.

 

Yokohama AVS ES100's, very good dry grip, very good wet grip, whisper quiet.

Edit- oops, didn't really read topic, don't know if they make 'em in 13''

 

i had some dunlop gt quali. once but I forgot what they were like, its been so long ago...

 

I have had very good service from Firestone Firehawks (3 different cars). They were cheap and came in many different sizes, but they have too tall tread blocks at first and feel quite squirmy until they wear down a bit. I also had good service from a Falken sport tire (don't remember which one), but it had very good grip and it was cheap (on a Miata). It had been a few years since I looked at small sport tires- are Firehawks and Falkens any count anymore? Or was I buying cheap, getting cheap back then too?

 

Thanks for all of your help, but has anyone had the Sumitomo's?

 

215/50/13 is a little wide for a 5.5" stocker rim. sidewalls bulge out. but it certainly is doable. seen it myself. it would be a good excuse to upgrade to 13x7 rims.

I had sumitomo HTRZ 195/50/15 on a 15x7 rim and those tires stuck real good. good in rain. sidewall flex reasonable. inexpensive tire like $80. best tire for my buck. i'd buy them again if that model was available.

that htr200 is a good tire, i've read other people like them. go to tirerack.com and read other people's opinions and feedback. should do ok in the rain and snow. is it a mud and snow tire?

 

it's just a summer tire, but I don't drive my baby in the winter. Now I just need to try and find them in Canada or find a dealer in Buffalo.

 

I run the Sumitomo's and really like 'em. They stick!

 

Do not run GT Qualifiers. I had them on my Subaru. Complete garbage. Plus, three of four of them had shifted belts (tire out of round/uneven/wobbles/etc) before the tread was even half gone.

 

Will BFG Radial TA's 215/50SR13 mounted on a 13x7 PanaSports rub on a '85 GSL?? Are they too wide?

 

On my 82 GSL they don't. I assume nothing has really changed up until '86 so they shold be ok.

Toughguy

 

I second the "GT Qualifiers are crap"

Go for the Sumi's. We have 2 or 3 sets of 205/60/13 on various stock 5.5" wide wheels and they are a great bargain. Pretty sticky and long lasting.

Now, if the Yoko AVSi was still available in 205/60/13 I'd suggest that over anything, but Yoko stabbed my heart and cancelled them.