Tire Recommendations

[92 30K mile SVX]

Would appreciate suggestions for new rubber. More interested in a quite ride than performance. Any words of wisdom on allignment would also be appreciated.

After a year and a half, my little red SVX just turned over to 32,000 miles.

I live in North Palm Beach, FL.

[processengr]

Hi,
One thing to keep in mind if you have an all wheel drive car, the tires must be very close in size.If you have mismatched size tires, you risk damaging drivetrain component$. Which means that a full road hazard warrenty won't be much help. If you have a blowout, punctured sidewall, or otherwise trash a tire once they are 50% worn,
1.You will have to find a tire that is the same size/brand with same wear
2. Buy new tire and have it shaved
3. Buy 4 new tires(what most do).

That said, I have had Toyo Proxes FX4, Falken Zeix 512(all season V rated) and FK452(summer only) Continental, and Kumho Ecsta MX (summer only), Nitto (snows) and Hankook Icebear (V rated snows) tires on our SVXs. The quietest were the Contis (H-rated).

[SVX_MY_BABY]

Match the edge profile of the OEM Proxes ie rounded rather than square. The suspension likes the tires move a bit more than the square edge allows which cause the square edges to wear prematurely.

32,000 miles! Maybe you should put it on blocks & store it then get another to drive.

[92 30K mile SVX]

Originally Posted by processengr

Hi,
One thing to keep in mind if you have an all wheel drive car, the tires must be very close in size.If you have mismatched size tires, you risk damaging drivetrain component$. Which means that a full road hazard warrenty won't be much help. If you have a blowout, punctured sidewall, or otherwise trash a tire once they are 50% worn,
1.You will have to find a tire that is the same size/brand with same wear
2. Buy new tire and have it shaved
3. Buy 4 new tires(what most do).

That said, I have had Toyo Proxes FX4, Falken Zeix 512(all season V rated) and FK452(summer only) Continental, and Kumho Ecsta MX (summer only), Nitto (snows) and Hankook Icebear (V rated snows) tires on our SVXs. The quietest were the Contis (H-rated).

Thank you "processengr". I may try the Continentals.
92 30K mile SVX

[92 30K mile SVX]

Originally Posted by SVX_MY_BABY

Match the edge profile of the OEM Proxes ie rounded rather than square. The suspension likes the tires move a bit move than the square edge allows which cause the square edges to wear prematurely.

32,000 miles! Maybe you should put it on blocks & store it then get another to drive.

SVX MY BABY, thanks for the suggestions. Mine is driven about 1,300 miles per year. I bought it from a close friend who drove it about 2,000 miles/Yr.... He replaced all A/C items. Replaced the timing chain, (before it had a chance to fail). Lots of things for which I have the records. The car began claret but he liked red and spent a fortune repainting it during the first year of ownership. (I have never seen a better paint job.)

One naging problem both he & I have had for a number of years, - - we thought it was some sort of "draw" on the battery. A series of higher & higher capacity batteries until I just recently was told that his mechanic had replaced a failed alternator with one 85 amps (instead of the 95, factory one). Found this when the 85 amp one failed me. I am hoping that this will solve the problem. (I have been somewhat suspecious of the security system, [ which neither of her 2 owners know how to use ].)

92 30K mile SVX

[Nevin]

I have a set of Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S in the stock size 225/50R16. It's considered a high performance all season tire and I use them for my "winter" tires. The ride is amazing, and they also handle very well.

A VERY good tire, if you ask me. I work at a tire shop and I recommend these as often as I can.

Here's a link to them on tirerack. THey are currently priced at $130 each, which is a pretty good size considering the performance, ride, and the life you'll get out of them.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....t+Exalto+A%2FS

[benebob]

Your tires are like mine, dead long before the tread. Falken Azenis might be good for you or Bridgestone RE-01a (stock on the STI). Good solid value tires that will net you about 10k-12k on them.

Originally Posted by 92 30K mile SVX

SVX MY BABY, thanks for the suggestions. Mine is driven about 1,300 miles per year. I bought it from a close friend who drove it about 2,000 miles/Yr.... He replaced all A/C items. Replaced the timing chain, (before it had a chance to fail). Lots of things for which I have the records. The car began claret but he liked red and spent a fortune repainting it during the first year of ownership. (I have never seen a better paint job.)

One naging problem both he & I have had for a number of years, - - we thought it was some sort of "draw" on the battery. A series of higher & higher capacity batteries until I just recently was told that his mechanic had replaced a failed alternator with one 85 amps (instead of the 95, factory one). Found this when the 85 amp one failed me. I am hoping that this will solve the problem. (I have been somewhat suspecious of the security system, [ which neither of her 2 owners know how to use ].)

92 30K mile SVX

[subarufamily]

cooper xeon are the choice tires for mine as they work good in ALL( including snow) weather, ride quiet and have good tread wear. my opinion plus they are not as costly as most

[SubaruSVXCrazy]

I used to work for a goodyear tire shop. My boss SWORE by Goodyear Assurance Tripple Treads. It's design pushes away the water. http://www.goodyear.ca/img/tt-intro.jpg

Dry 10

Wet 10

Snow 10

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....nce+TripleTred

I'm just about positive it has an 80,000 mile wear out. It doesn't last that long but I think they'll garantee it.

My moms got it on her audi and it handles like a dream. Its got an agressive tread design and leaves a cool tracks in the snow.

Wait............. here

http://www.goodyeartires.com/goodyea...area=Passenger

[benebob]

I don't think I'd ever put an 80k wear out tire on a car that is driven less than 2k a year. At worst case you should replace the tires every 7 years. Recommended to replace at 5 years from manufacture date. In other words he'd be paying and throwing away tires that still have the nub on 'em.

Originally Posted by SubaruSVXCrazy

I used to work for a goodyear tire shop. My boss SWORE by Goodyear Assurance Tripple Treads. It's design pushes away the water. http://www.goodyear.ca/img/tt-intro.jpg

Dry 10

Wet 10

Snow 10

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....nce+TripleTred

I'm just about positive it has an 80,000 mile wear out. It doesn't last that long but I think they'll garantee it.

My moms got it on her audi and it handles like a dream. Its got an agressive tread design and leaves a cool tracks in the snow.

Wait............. here

http://www.goodyeartires.com/goodyea...area=Passenger

[Jnthn_Sctt]

Just my two cents

Had Pirelli P-Zero Nero's, (225 / 40 18") good all season tire and nice cruising, but don't think I'd buy them again. Price is a bit high and don't handle as well as I'd like.

Have Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 (Stock 225 / 50 16")winter tires, great in the snow and not bad overall. A bit much for an all season, but I know people who do run them year round. Would buy them again unless Bridgestone comes out with something better.

Running GoodYear F1 all seasons (255 / 40 17") Was a toss up between all seasons and summers, but live in NY and wanted to be safer in the late fall and early spring months. (For Florida I would have definitely gone with the full blown summer tire.)

In the future will stick with either Bridgestone or GoodYear. Decision will be based mostly on price.

(Daily driver, 140K miles and still going strong)

[ensteele]

Originally Posted by 92 30K mile SVX

One naging problem both he & I have had for a number of years, - - we thought it was some sort of "draw" on the battery. A series of higher & higher capacity batteries until I just recently was told that his mechanic had replaced a failed alternator with one 85 amps (instead of the 95, factory one). Found this when the 85 amp one failed me. I am hoping that this will solve the problem. (I have been somewhat suspecious of the security system, [ which neither of her 2 owners know how to use ].)

92 30K mile SVX

The SVX has this problem and all of mine are the same. If they sit for more than 2 weeks or more without being driven, the battery will go dead. I either disconnect the battery, or put a battery tender on them. That is about the only way you can keep the batteries charged without driving them.

I would never shave tires, and would only replace them 4 at a time. Never replace only 2 at a time. Good luck on your search for tires.

[svxash]

Are you staying with the stock wheels?

[svxcess]

Originally Posted by benebob

At worst case you should replace the tires every 7 years. Recommended to replace at 5 years from manufacture date.

But be sure to check the dates on the actual replacement tires themselves. Just because you buy them new doesn't mean they are.

See this ABC News Special Report tire safety video. It is most important.

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897


.

[sunvalleyray]

For what it's worth, Comsumer Reports rated Michelin Pilot Sport PS 2 as the best summer Ultimate high perforance tire in their last buying guide. In addition Car and Driver (Aug 09) used the Pilot Sport as their benchmark to measure all other tires against. BMW M3, Porsche 911, Boxster and Cayman, Corvette XR 1 and Cadillac CTS-V all come with the Pilot Sport.

I have Michelin Pilot Alpin PA 2 for my winter tires and love them. I also use Michelin tires on my Toyota Tundra, both winter and summer, and have run 85,000 miles on the summer tires!

Running Yokahama's now for summer tires and do not like them, seem noisy to me. I plan to upgrade next summer to the Pilot Sport but I am sure there are other great tires available. Be aware the Pilot Sport's are very expensive, somewhere around $200.00 per tire.

Good luck,

sunvalleyray