Neep

First off, sorry if this should be in wheels and tires, but I thought 1st gen was more apropriate since I want tires for my stock rims.

Anyway, after a bit of harrasment by my co-workers I decided to buy new tires (The tread is fine... the tires are just anchient and ready to blow. I'll try and get a pic up of them on tuesday, they're frightening) I went to sears to buy a set, at first thinking el-cheapo would be best... then I saw the balloons (With a wonderfuly stylish half inch white wall on them) that would be going on my car and thought "Ummm... I'll kill myself on those tiny little tires" After spending an hour with the sears tech, he ordered some good year weather tech tires for me car... oops, those are discontinued. A Day later, spend another hour with the guy and we can't find any tires for my car... yay?

Searching online, I found quite a few el-cheapos (with tread wear replacement around 15-20,000 miles... 35 by what the manufactures say) but the only name brand tires I could find were a good year ultra grip (I ummm... don't need tire studs for my seven... thanks though!) and a dunlop sp60. I figure there has to be some other options out there. There can't just be two. I don't want to buy new rims (which the sears guy recomended... NO! I like my stock rims thank you kindly!) and I'd like to stick with the 185 70 13s I have on there. Seems that was an option for the seven, and 165 somethings will fit on there... but while I don't drive entirely like an idiot, the extra width would make me happier in case of harrowing situations.

Oh, and while my seven doesn't generaly travers the snow fields of massachusetts come winter time... I don't want to be frightened to because I got ultra performance summer tires, or some sort of brandless no stick tires :P

Thanks for any suggestions you guys can give!

Jeezus

iTrader: (4)

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes....&model=HTR+200

Jeezus

iTrader: (4)

And while we are on topic here, I believe the largest size tires we can fit are 205/60/13s? Correct me if I am wrong...

no_name

That would be correct. 185 r13's are everywhere. People at places like goodyear for some reason are incapable of doing simple things, such as finding tires. I can't understand why though. Anyhow, just look around and you have to find some. All those econo cars from teh 1980's and 90's use 13's. I work in a scrap yard, I know because I have a gajillion 185/70r13's

ray green

iTrader: (14)

A best buy, with 80,000 mile tread life and excellent all around performance ratings, is the Yokohama Avid Tourings in the stock 185/70/13 size. Reasonably priced at tirerack or discounttire. I've been using these for the last few years and love them, very smooth ride, good wet traction and they'd be fine year round in Massachusetts (I used to live in the Pioneer Valley for about 20 years, nice place, too much snow, cold and salt though).

Nice features of the Yokohamas over the highly recommended and commonly used 205/60/13s (usually Sumitomo HTR 200s) is that the Yokohamas, being stock tires, fill out the wheel well nicely. The 205/60/13s are about an inch shorter than the stock 185/70/13s and leave some pretty big gaps, in my opinion. Also being the correct circumfrance, they won't change your speedometer readings.

Check out these options on the stock sizes at tirerack:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...t=All&x=81&y=6

And here's a neat feature they have to compare tires:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...3&startIndex=0

Show us some pictures!

Ray

twinkletoes

iTrader: (17)

When I bought my car they had the yokohama avid performance all season tires on. They seemed really good and i had to switch the front tires out for some continentals cause my tread was bad from alignment. I still have the yokos on the back. I'm thinking that my next tires will either be the avids or the sumitomo HTR 200. I don't know much about the sumitomos tho. After what ray said, I might stay with the yokohamas and +1 on filling the wheel wells nicely ray.

Wodihor

I run Toyo all season on mine. They seem to do a little less feathering when cornering on the on and off ramps here in ATL.

I work at Kauffman Tire here in ATL so my tires are cheaper then most people can get them for. But if you want to so some price shopping check out Treadepot.com. They may not carry everything that you are looking for but it is worth a shot to do some price checks ... it the 185/70 r13 on Tireraq are 40$ and Treadepot they are 29$ save 10$ but then you have to look at SH charges. Shameless plug for those people that I have to do computer support for.

I have enjoyed the Toyo ones. I used to run Perellies until the discontinued the p400 line of tires.

1stgen4life

iTrader: (1)

I'm running the HTR 200 205/60 R13s. I've heard of people running 215/50 R13s but I would be concerned about rubbing issues. All in all I am really happy with the tires. I have put quite a few miles on them and they seem to be a good balance of ride quality and performance. They have relatively soft sidewalls but the max psi is 52 so as long as you keep them hard there are no issues.
-John

mschiap

iTrader: (20)

go with 205/60-13. The only street tires I see in that size are Sumitomo HTR 200 (High Performance Summer) which are recommended above. Spec-7 and Pro7 race cars are running that size Toyo on the track.

stupidturbo

personally i run toyo proxes ra-1s in a 205/60 13 size but i dont take mine out in the snow....

kgray

someone on here has 215/50 13's all around... epitomize makes 'em too!

ray green

iTrader: (14)

"I run Toyo all season on mine. They seem to do a little less feathering when cornering on the on and off ramps here in ATL.

I work at Kauffman Tire here in ATL so my tires are cheaper then most people can get them for. But if you want to so some price shopping check out Treadepot.com. They may not carry everything that you are looking for but it is worth a shot to do some price checks ... it the 185/70 r13 on Tireraq are 40$ and Treadepot they are 29$ save 10$ but then you have to look at SH charges. Shameless plug for those people that I have to do computer support for.

I have enjoyed the Toyo ones. I used to run Perellies until the discontinued the p400 line of tires."

Good tip Wodihor, I'll see you next time.

Also as far as this discussion goes I think it is important to ask what your primary application will be. If it is running on a track then the 205/60/13's are probably the best choice because of the increased traction. But if it's a daily driver I'd strongly recommend the stock sizes, they look and perform better on stock and mildly modified RX-7s in day-to-day driving.

Ray

orion84gsl

iTrader: (5)

Ive got the HTR 200's all around, but 185/60R13. Wheel gap isnt horrible but its there, and the grip is good. My car will never see another snowflake if i have anything to say about it.

Kentetsu

The Sumitomo tires are a pretty good deal for the price. About 50 bucks per tire. I was running 205/60/13, but when I replaced them this spring I moved up to 215/50/13. The 205s are on backorder until like August or something, but you can still get the 215s right now. No rubbing or fitment issues, using the stock + wheels on an '85 GS.

Jeezus

iTrader: (4)

^^ Do you have any pics of it?

glewsRx

iTrader: (1)

Hate to thread hijack but its applicable:
I have tokico illuminas and king springs, which drops it pretty low; as far as I can guess, about 1.5". Are there any chances of rubbing with either of the sumitomos?

kgray

the good thing about sumitomos is that they are a smaller diameter tire so that would help with lowered cars.

Neep

Well, that's certainly more tires than I could find! Thanks All! I'll probably go with the Yokhama's Ray suggested. My main worry is all weather performance since track doesn't much happen but snow and rain does.

I know I promised pictures today, but I forgot my camera. I was on the road for 18 hours yesterday (Ok, only 14 with four hours in a meeting) and was to tired when I got home to remember anything. Tomorrow then. The beauty of my tires will be shown, then I will get new ones.

Again, Thanks!

Kentetsu

I don't think you'll have any rubbing issues due to lowering. The closest spot on my car is between the sidewall and the front strut (lower spring perch). I think I've got about 1/16 of an inch or so there. Lots of room in the back though...

RXJIM

iTrader: (3)

I just bought 4 Yokohama Avid T4's in stock size and I got to say, they suck. They squish so bad my rear view mirrors drag the asphalt in anything harder than a lane change. I drove a friends 85 on Sumitomo HTR 200, there just as bad. If your basing or describing handling characteristics of your Rx-7 on these tires then your not even scratching the surface of what they can do. My home made slick Cooper Cobra 205/60's I took off for the Yoko's handled 100 times beter. Unfortunately they have been discontinued and I could not find any locally. I did find a set on ebay for over 300 shipped, now I'm wishing I paid it.

Sorry about the rant, but I just got them put on and I'm a little disappointed. I honestly belive my 30 year old Dodge truck handles better now.

ray green

iTrader: (14)

I'm not sure about the Yoko Avid T4's, but I haven't had any handling problems with the Yoko Avid Tourings, maybe they have a stiffer side wall? Also I've found the tourings kind of like the tire pressure set high, I have mine at 32 lbs and that's noticeably smoother and less "squishy" than the stock setting of 28.

7aull

iTrader: (2)

In spite of RXJIMs complaints, I have to say I am REALLY happy with my summi 205/13s. Was also afraid of the look of the tread height diff between these and the stock 185s and I can honestly say I see NO difference. Look fab, seem to handle great on the street, no change in ride comfort... I highly recommend them
Stu Aull
80GS
205/60-13 summi HTs
Alaska

dayton

i have been through a set of falken ziex (205-60-13) and put another set on... the first set i put on were from tire king in atlanta... then the next set was from sears... believe it or not they were the only place that had them in stock... btw i run tokico hps and rb spec 7 springs w/ no rubbing issues and no wheel gap problems... good luck!!!

kgray

how long ago did you get the falkens dayton?

Sk8r_dude

I just ordered 4 sumitomi 205/60/14s I hope they're as good as everyone says!