I have the 13" stock wheels and I'm looking to get new tires (205/60/HR13). I'm torn between the Sumitomo HTR 200 and the HTR 4. I only drive the car in the Summer, however, I live in Wisconsin and there might come a time when the car will see a little snow. I know many of you run the HTR 200. Have any of you tried the HTR 200 in the snow? Does anyone run the HTR 4???
Matt

 

Don't ever take the Sumitomo 200 near snow. They will offer NO traction whatsoever and will be quite dangerous.

 

A 205 width tire on a 5.5" wide wheel is pushing it. Where are you getting the Sumitomos?

 

I run 205's on my stock rims and yes, it is pushing it. There's a little excess sidewall flex but all but it's okay. I'd buy 205's again in a heartbeat.

I get my Sumo's from www.tirerack.com

EDIT - tirerack has Sumo's in 215/50HR13 I wonder how they would fit and work?!?!

 

im about to buy new tires again (currently running htr 200's in 205/60/13) i love them, and im planning on buying them again. you say they have 215/50/13's? thats REALLY tempting, but the 205's are really close to the springs in the front. i want a lower profile, but yes, 205's are pushing it on that stock rim. i love them though, they are the best tires ive owned, and for the price.. you cant beat them. they heat up really nice. ill be driving around on a hot day, no burnouts or sliding, and they pick up rocks everywhere. ive had them since last feb. and im already needing new ones, but they have been through alot of autox'ing and hard driving. not to mention a few powerbraking. like i said though, i love them and wont go with anything else till they stop making them.

 

I would love to get the Sumitomo HTR 200's. I hear a lot of people really like them. I only drive the car in the summer and don't plan on ever driving it in the snow. However, I live in WI and there's a slight chance the tires may see snow at least once. I would hate to get in a dangerous situation with summer tires. Also, I would feel bad if I ever sold the car in WI with "summer only" tires. Sumitomo makes an all season high performance tire; the HTR 4. It also comes in the same size (205/60/13). However, I haven't found a single person yet on this forum who uses them. Does anyone own the 4's?? What do you guys think I should do?

 

I have both now. And there is a difference. I like the 200 hundred more. Gives you a more stable sense with less wide wall flex. But the htr four gives a slightly smoother ride and probally a little better snow. If i buy another set they will be 200. the 200 are great they wear great drive great and hook great i ran them on the v8 with a bottle shot and they preformed adrimable. the only other tire i care for are the yokos but they are expensize and if you have larger rims. ust got the nitto zr and they quite impressive for a big 17 245/45 at under a hundred bucks. the only thing i found that hooks better than 200 on a 13 inch rim is my slicks with bead locks but they tend to break a rear end at 6500 launch.

jr

 

I have the 200's and don't like them.

 

Don't hold back, please elaborate.

 

i got to drive on mine in the snow last winter, and they werent that bad. as long as you dont drive like a complete jackass in the snow, youll be fine.

 

I have the HTR 200 on my stock GSL-SE rims with the stock 205*60*14 size. I can find very litte fault in such a "cost effective" tire. Read my sig, even with all the extra power and much better than stock suspension the tires never seen over stressed. I give them two thumbs up and a smile considering their price.

And always remember "a chripping tire is a happy tire"

 

Oh, I got the tires, the whole suspension set for that matter, after our big snow so I can say wether or not these will be a good snow tire. But by the tread patter/depth and the many other "official" review I've read on the tires I will not be driving in the snow with them. I doesn't really make any sence to drive an FB in the snow anyway IMO. It's low, lite, and RWD the worst combo. for snow driving.

 

These cars are great on the snow. For doing donuts and power slides. The old 79 everywinter gets a fun drive until the cops get called or i get stuck.

jr

 

Can't answer the original question. But, I would put money on the 215 rubbing the spring perch in the front. My old 205's showed very slight signs of rubbing.
Personally, I like 205's in the rear and a 195 or 185 in the front. Too bad there is dick for tire selection in this size. It reduces the oversteer issue without removing the rear sway bar or upgrading the front. Also, the 205's in the front tend to roll over on the stock 5.5" wheels. I saw no evidence of this problem in the rear. Most likely because of the solid rear axle.

 

HTR200's are great. I run 205/60/13's and I absolutely love them. Best bang for the buck, period.

Do you have a beater car that you can drive in just snowy weather/seasons? If so, then drive the beater during the snow times--and save the rex from the chill!

 

All I can say is the sidewall flex sucks. Completely ruins the handling characteristics of the car. When they came from tirerack.com , uninflated, I could not believe how soft the sidewalls were. The tread is good though. Wear is good also. For ~$36 a tire you get more than would be expected.