Recommendations, please .. best 17X8 summer tires

[Obewon]

Please send me (or post here) your recommendations re: ride, handling, value for money, etc.

[NikFu S.]

I only have experience with the Kumho Ecsta SPT. It's a decent tire. No complaints. They've survived 4 years, 2 winters, 20,000 miles, many gravel roads, high speeds, potholes, sharp edges, and lots of punctures. I wouldn't use them for auto-x. They don't chirp, so you don't even realize how much they are slipping when they do. Despite the fact they don't chirp, they are not quiet on rough roads, but are quite pleasant on fresh pavement.

I would recommend the Kumho brand in general.

I don't think this is tire-specific, but when I switch from my winter wheels to my 17x8s my handling characteristics change significantly. In short the steering wheels requires a bit more grip.

[icingdeath88]

I like the Kumho Ecsta SPT a lot. Solid in the rain, and I have had a very hard time getting any wheels to break loose.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....I&autoModClar=

[NikFu S.]

Yeah, the only time I broke the wheels loose was in some tight turns during that one auto-x I did with them in 2010, and I could only just feel it, with a bit of a scraping noise.

[XT6Wagon]

The new king of summer tires is michelin Super Sports.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....oModel=Impreza WRX STI 5 Door&autoModClar=With OE Metal Valve Stems

come with a Treadwear warrenty now, so unlike the others at the top of the class you know you will get some miles out of them.

That said, The only problem I've ever had with Kuhmo's is noise, and thats mostly because I haven't gotten any of thier recent tires that solved the older tires howl problems.

[Obewon]

Thanks, folks.

I don't like road noise, and I am guessing that I don't drive in quite the same way as those of you who mention chirping your tires. I'd be afraid of permanently screwing up something (my transmission for sire) if I ever tried to make my tires chirp.

The Michelin SS's I heard a fair bit about, but they cost $$, no ?

[Earthworm]

What other characteristics are you looking for in these tires? Will there be any racing at all? Long trips? High speeds?

You've already mentioned noise is a priority.

[kwren]

Might consider these...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...acturer=Dunlop

Tire rack rates them best value and quality summer, etc.

Keith

[icingdeath88]

Originally Posted by Obewon

Thanks, folks.

I don't like road noise, and I am guessing that I don't drive in quite the same way as those of you who mention chirping your tires. I'd be afraid of permanently screwing up something (my transmission for sire) if I ever tried to make my tires chirp.

The Michelin SS's I heard a fair bit about, but they cost $$, no ?

I wouldn't say the Kumhos are loud, but I have a bad wheel bearing that doesn't bother me that much, so I might not be the best judge.

Yea, me and NikFu are manual now, so different rules apply.

[92snowmachine]

i bought these
http://www.bigotires.com/Tire-Detail...ng/NS-II/14895
basically just because they were the only tire in stock in the right size when i put my summer wheels on. normally would never buy a nankang brand tire but have been very surprised with the quality. they are very quiet and make almost no noise at all, haven't broken them loose except on gravel on turns. bought them for much cheaper than in the link but if you look around tire prices vary quite a bit.

[LastSVXintheChi]

i have had these on my last 2 cars and i love them...comfy, quiet, the only time i have ever lost traction was on ice, and i have never had a nail or anything get stuck in them...if i remember correctly Consumer Reports named this the #2 best all season performance tire...behind a goodyear i think but that was like a $200 tire...these are only like $120 i think but a lot of times they have the buy 3 get 1 free thing

http://www.firestonecompleteautocare...1&pricing=true

[kwren]

Maybe so... Maybe not.
Consumer reports is for sale to the highest bidder.

Keith

[Chuckls]

I've had some maxxis Ma-V1's for a while..GREAT tires...They have yet to break loose on me besides gravel..A tiny bit of noise, but not a lot.

I think it was 123 per tire.

[benebob]

Value for street performance tires look no further than these: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....Model=Ecsta+XS

They'll outgrip the SVX any day. For pure dry conditions they're like rubber crack. Sure they're not quiet (granted I can't hear 'em over my engine and exhaust) have about a 15k-20k lifespan and don't like rain all that much but they are glorious fun. I actually think I like them more than the Victoracer, Hoosier slicks or V700 on the street.

If you want a solid performing tire which excels at nothing but fits the bill as an "old man's sport tire" tire look at the continentals or the michelins. Nothing wrong with 'em persay but they lack the crispness I would want. It all depends on what you want the tire to do. Me, I like the fun factor.

[SVXY97]

Originally Posted by benebob

Value for street performance tires look no further than these: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....Model=Ecsta+XS

They'll outgrip the SVX any day. For pure dry conditions they're like rubber crack. Sure they're not quiet (granted I can't hear 'em over my engine and exhaust) have about a 15k-20k lifespan and don't like rain all that much but they are glorious fun. I actually think I like them more than the Victoracer, Hoosier slicks or V700 on the street.

If you want a solid performing tire which excels at nothing but fits the bill as an "old man's sport tire" tire look at the continentals or the michelins. Nothing wrong with 'em persay but they lack the crispness I would want. It all depends on what you want the tire to do. Me, I like the fun factor.

I run Ecsta XS and they are why my friends call it Grippy JR (JR is pure jealousy, i assume) :-P