Just got Toyo Proxes FZ4--should I keep them??

It is getting warm here in New England, so I had to get new tires to replace my Bridgestone Blizzaks. Anyway I went to the local Town Fair Tire and was able to get 4 Proxes FZ4s (V rated) for only $90 each with I found very reasonable. They basically told me these were some of the best tires there (and I think they actually undercharged me accidently.....oh well??). My dilema is that I just read a bad review of the tires online complaining in large part that these tires can't handle rain and hydoplane. I just drove in the rain and had no problems to speak of......granted, I wasn't driving very fast.

Do you SVXers have any opion/experience with these tires? I do have 30 days to return them no questions asked. They look great, but safety comes first. I really do appreciate it!

[ensteele]

I have these tires, and I haven't had any hydro problems. I live in WA State, and I have been in lots of water, but no problems. They ride smooth and are quiet. I have been happy with them so far. The only negative thing that I have heard is that they don't wear as good as some other tires do. I can't say anything about that though, I haven't had them long enough. Good Luck.

[rufus]

I bought a set of used rims that had 225/50 R16 Proxes FZ4s on them (they were practically brand new). I like the tires alot; very quiet, very good grip in dry conditions, and they look really cool to boot. My car is not a daily driver. It rarely leaves the garage when there is a chance of precipitation, so I can't say much about their "all-weather" capabilities. I have noticed one unusual thing about them, though. They are easily 1/2 inch narrower than two other 225 tires I have compared them to. All told, though, I doubt you'll find a better tire for $90 each.

One of my wheel weights just parted ways with the wheel, so I put my old set back on yesterday, "value-priced" Bridgestone Eagers that came with the car. They are noticeably louder than the Proxes, but do fill out the wheel wells a lot better.

How anal is it that I remove my wheels to take them in for balancing? I think I may have some issues...

[Earthworm]

How anal is it that I remove my wheels to take them in for balancing? I think I may have some issues...

Well the wheels have to come off sooner or later.

Probably wouldn't be a good idea to balance the wheel when it's still on the car! (it can be done)

[rufus]

, and more

I also use a set a 225/50/16 Toyo Proxes FZ4's and I love them. Unlike the previous poster my car is a daily driver and it sees all kinds of weather. Recently I was using them to cruise around in 24" of snow. Actually that didn't work out very well since we dont exactly have the ground clearance for that type of activity but none the less I have nothing bad to say about these tires. Very quiet on dry road, great traction in the snow or rain, and they seem to be wearing very well (I have about 8000 miles on mine and they still look brand new).

Dont scrap them because of one bad review. If you aren't personally happy with them, by all means take them back but don't do it because someone you don't know had a bad experience with them.

0260N4

i am on my second pair of toyo proxes FZ4's. I have 215/45/ZR17 and they are good tires but when you turn fast they squeel.....my sister hit a large pot hole and now i have 2 bubbles on my sidewall...so i bought 4 new ones because i have more than 50% wear.......i paid 597.00 with shipping to Alaska. I like these tires they are stiff and handle very well

I appreciate the feedback. I do think the tires look cool. However, they seem loud. My first "mix-matched" all season tires seemed loud. My snow-tires (Bridgestone Blizzaks) seemed very loud, and these new Toyos seem loud too. I think it may just be the way the car is built or the large width of the tires. Anyway, the I found the Nitto 450 NTs for about the same price, but it seems like I got a better deal on the Toyo's so I think I will stick with them. (I always blast my MP3 player anyway so it drowns out alot of road noise ) Thanks again SVXers!!