So, here's the next thing coming to go along with NLA parts:

I've been looking at doing a new set of street wheels (18x10, 18x11) and the p;lan was to use 285/30/18 front, 295/30/18 rear, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2's. I go back to look them up again, and they are discontinued, along with most 18" sizes. You may be able to get them in the "track connect" variety, but those are 240 tread wear vs. the 180 of the original SC2, and they are more money for the technology I don't need.

To me, this seems so asinine, I want to go knock on the Michelin CEOs door and be like, "what the **** dude?"... as those are the rear tire sizes on probably half the Porsche 911/Boxter/Caymans on the road..

However, tellingly, the Tire Rack guy said, most sports cars are coming with 19 or 20" wheels now... so, the handwriting is on the wall. I'm not sure what the **** to do now....

 

Yeah and some makes offer 21/22 as options. The wheels themselves weigh at least 35 lbs. It's getting ******* ridiculous.

 

Guess I'm going 19" Maybe 265/30/19 front, 295/30/19 rear.

 

They will continue making race/performance oriented tires in 18" just like the tire selection for 15" tires in this category is actually getting better recently as more and more people race miatas.

The issue with the michelin cup 2s is they are an OEM fitment tire (OEMs cut deals with tire manufacturer to equip the tires on new cars). So no need for old sizes.

But as with most OEM fitment tires they are typically the worst performing in the race/performance category so most people dont want them anyways.

 

They will continue making race/performance oriented tires in 18" just like the tire selection for 15" tires in this category is actually getting better recently as more and more people race miatas.

The issue with the michelin cup 2s is they are an OEM fitment tire (OEMs cut deals with tire manufacturer to equip the tires on new cars). So no need for old sizes.

But as with most OEM fitment tires they are typically the worst performing in the race/performance category so most people dont want them anyways.

 

I don't think all Sport Cup 2s were OEMs (some were specific), they were also Michelins DOT track tire (streetable). I don't see many other options.

They are coming out with a "Sport Cup 2 240 Connect" in the sizes, but that's like an extreme performance street tire like an A052, not an R-Compound.

 

Nitto NT01 315/30-18 is short enough to use up front (25.3") and they are very streetable and longer lasting than Cup 2s.

Nankang AR1 295/30-18 is even more streetable at the cost of greasing out if you overdrive in 100deg F weather as I found.

Toyo R888 and R888R are loud, but otherwise streetable and come in variety of 18" widths.

I believe the A052 "street tire" you mention is actually less streetable/consistent than the above (they want heat to work). There are tire comparisons between the old DotRs and the new 200utqg that show this in lap times.

The BFG Rivals are probably a bit more streetable and the RE71R likes the cold the most out of the competitive 200utqg tires (but limited to 285/30-18).

 

How about some Toyo RRs

 

That's what I was going to say. NT01s and R1Rs are still available. In 17" sizes too.
Azenis are still around as well.

 

There is a new Falken RT-660 in fact that has tested even faster than the Bridgestone RE-71R at autocross.

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/ar...oss-and-track/

Of course, the new Bridgestone RE-71RS is out in Japan now as well, and tests 2% faster on TC2000 Tsukuba circuit than the old RE-71R.

Decent 18" wheel sizes on the Falken RT-660.
They have 285/30-18.
Sadly no 295/30-18 yet and their 315/30-18 is 25.5" tall so a bit too tall to use up front on stock rolled fender/fenderlinered FD.

https://www.falkentire.com/tires/pas...nis-rt660-tire