Tire change-over effects

Wheel and tire information and upgrade discussions
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garnermike
Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 11:04 am

Tire change-over effects

Post by garnermike »

Wow. My 2006 base 1.8L Vibe had 22K miles on its crappy set of factory Goodyear Eagle tires. Front end was starting to spin out all the time from a standing stop on wet pavement. Plus I've hated the noisiness of those tires since taking the car's delivery.Put on new set of ultra high performance tires 3 days ago, and cannot believe the difference. Much quieter and the car handles totally different---tight, quick response, much less lean. I sort of knew this could happen, but I am frankly still amazed. Running them a little more pumped (35 psi) really makes the performance sidewalls work for you!
Owner, 2006 Vibe, Neptune Blue, AT.Owner, 2007 Kia Rondo LX, Gray, ATOwner, 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 6-sp, Copper redOwner, 2002, SLP Firehawk, #738, LS1 5.7L V-8, 345 hp, 350 ft/lbs, Bilstein suspension, t-tops, chrome wheels, 6-sp manual Tremac tranny with Hurst linkage and Lou's Short Stik shifter, BMR strut tower brace, SLP Loudmouth II exhaust. See at http://community.webshots.com/album/34773273cciDPu
Raven
Posts: 2922
Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2003 10:58 am
Location: Lac Ste. Marie, Quebec

Re: Tire change-over effects (garnermike)

Post by Raven »

What kind did you get?
Mavrik
Posts: 8072
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2004 6:41 am

Re: Tire change-over effects (Raven)

Post by Mavrik »

tires can make all the difference in the world.
2007 stage 2 Satin White Pearl Subaru STi 2008 stage 2 Subaru STi hatch See my car at: Mavrik's car page
altimar
Posts: 178
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:21 am

Re: Tire change-over effects (garnermike)

Post by altimar »

Quote, originally posted by garnermike »... much less lean.Call me skeptical, but you can't mean less body roll with new tires?
2007 Vibe: Wave monotone, Auto, sun & sound
garnermike
Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 11:04 am

Post by garnermike »

Yes, less body roll. If the sidewall is working, yes.
Owner, 2006 Vibe, Neptune Blue, AT.Owner, 2007 Kia Rondo LX, Gray, ATOwner, 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 6-sp, Copper redOwner, 2002, SLP Firehawk, #738, LS1 5.7L V-8, 345 hp, 350 ft/lbs, Bilstein suspension, t-tops, chrome wheels, 6-sp manual Tremac tranny with Hurst linkage and Lou's Short Stik shifter, BMR strut tower brace, SLP Loudmouth II exhaust. See at http://community.webshots.com/album/34773273cciDPu
garnermike
Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 11:04 am

These

Post by garnermike »

http://www.nexentireusa.com/ti...d=108An off-brand that a fellow car guy suggested. Had never heard fo them before. All Season, UHP, directional......and at a terrific price. Set of 4 for $300, including mounting, balancing, old tire disposal and taxes.
Owner, 2006 Vibe, Neptune Blue, AT.Owner, 2007 Kia Rondo LX, Gray, ATOwner, 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 6-sp, Copper redOwner, 2002, SLP Firehawk, #738, LS1 5.7L V-8, 345 hp, 350 ft/lbs, Bilstein suspension, t-tops, chrome wheels, 6-sp manual Tremac tranny with Hurst linkage and Lou's Short Stik shifter, BMR strut tower brace, SLP Loudmouth II exhaust. See at http://community.webshots.com/album/34773273cciDPu
vhoward1122
Posts: 151
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:21 am

Post by vhoward1122 »

I like how their web page says they are a global company, but there is not a dealer in my area so I can't get them. Not very global to me.Nice looking tires at a decent price though.
garnermike
Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 11:04 am

You can get them at a very good price

Post by garnermike »

.......on the internet, delivered to your front door or (with many tire outfits) drop-shipped to a tire service shop of your choice.I was going to do just that, when I found a dealer here. The sites with the best prices were:http://www.tires-easy.comhttp://www.tir ... s.comNexen is a relatively new Chinese company that is building its network in the USA and elsewhere.
Owner, 2006 Vibe, Neptune Blue, AT.Owner, 2007 Kia Rondo LX, Gray, ATOwner, 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 6-sp, Copper redOwner, 2002, SLP Firehawk, #738, LS1 5.7L V-8, 345 hp, 350 ft/lbs, Bilstein suspension, t-tops, chrome wheels, 6-sp manual Tremac tranny with Hurst linkage and Lou's Short Stik shifter, BMR strut tower brace, SLP Loudmouth II exhaust. See at http://community.webshots.com/album/34773273cciDPu
garnermike
Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 11:04 am

Post by garnermike »

Hey Altimar. I see you're from Lafayette, LA. Been there many times. I have my own zydeco band in North Carolina (www.zydecopious.com)Hey VHoward. I see you're from Bend OR. Been there too, back in 1990, spent a month there. One of the places I always said I'd love to live in. Is it still a great and pretty place, or has it been Californicated?
Owner, 2006 Vibe, Neptune Blue, AT.Owner, 2007 Kia Rondo LX, Gray, ATOwner, 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 6-sp, Copper redOwner, 2002, SLP Firehawk, #738, LS1 5.7L V-8, 345 hp, 350 ft/lbs, Bilstein suspension, t-tops, chrome wheels, 6-sp manual Tremac tranny with Hurst linkage and Lou's Short Stik shifter, BMR strut tower brace, SLP Loudmouth II exhaust. See at http://community.webshots.com/album/34773273cciDPu
Raven
Posts: 2922
Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2003 10:58 am
Location: Lac Ste. Marie, Quebec

Re: You can get them at a very good price (garnermike)

Post by Raven »

I hope they're better than the Nexens we had a few years ago. They were scary in the rain. My wife hydroplaned hit a rock wall and rolled 3 times because of them.[IMG][/IMG]
vhoward1122
Posts: 151
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:21 am

Re: (garnermike)

Post by vhoward1122 »

North Bend Oregon is on the coast. Bend Oregon is in the almost middle of the state.
Sublimewind
Posts: 5140
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 4:44 am

Re: You can get them at a very good price (Raven)

Post by Sublimewind »

Quote, originally posted by Raven »I hope they're better than the Nexens we had a few years ago. They were scary in the rain. My wife hydroplaned hit a rock wall and rolled 3 times because of them.Do you "really" blame the tires for that... ? They look like they have a decent rain tread... Seems odd that they would hydroplane your wife into a wall.... I've gone out LOOKING to try and get my car to hydroplane (had the Subie at triple digit speeds in the rain "looking") and even when I could get it to happen, nothing bad came of it... I'm not trying to cause any sort of bad blood here.... but, it's much more likely that the wife jerked the wheel when she started to hydroplane and caused a chain of events that was out of her control...
Raven
Posts: 2922
Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2003 10:58 am
Location: Lac Ste. Marie, Quebec

Re: You can get them at a very good price (Sublimewind)

Post by Raven »

They were not directly responsible for the accident. Speed was a factor and other things as well. Being scary in the rain was their general characteristic. Whenever it was wet they were slipping and sliding all over the place, by far the worst tires I have ever driven on. They were worse in fact than the stock RSAs. I love cars and one of my special interests is tires. Every car I drive I am analyzing the performance of the tires. In no uncertain terms Nexens suck big time.
Sublimewind
Posts: 5140
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 4:44 am

Re: You can get them at a very good price (Raven)

Post by Sublimewind »

Quote, originally posted by Raven »They were not directly responsible for the accident. Speed was a factor and other things as well. Being scary in the rain was their general characteristic. Whenever it was wet they were slipping and sliding all over the place, by far the worst tires I have ever driven on. They were worse in fact than the stock RSAs. I love cars and one of my special interests is tires. Every car I drive I am analyzing the performance of the tires. In no uncertain terms Nexens suck big time.Ok cool, I knew that they were a crappy tire, but I couldn't see them CAUSING the accident, unless one blew... I guess if they were "prone" to hydroplaining, but it still seems odd, considering the tread pattern... Some tire just suck... I've had my share of crqappy tires to... My Falken 512s I just sold with my OLD subaru were terrible, but I was also compairing them to other performance tires i've owned... I had 3 sets of Kumho 712's I loved them THAT much....!!! I'm now on Falken FK452 and really like them.. What a difference between the 512 and the 452... night and day...
garnermike
Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 11:04 am

Amazing!

Post by garnermike »

Labeling an entire brand of tire as crap because of the wife's accident. No info on which Nexen model tire, nothing noted on the age of the tire, etc. Guess it's not possible that the company has improved their design, manufacture, etc, since then, huh?My new Nexens are fine on all surfaces, including in heavy rain. No hydroplaning, not even a hint. And I know a thing about car handling and tire performance. I'll recommend them to anybody....
Owner, 2006 Vibe, Neptune Blue, AT.Owner, 2007 Kia Rondo LX, Gray, ATOwner, 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 6-sp, Copper redOwner, 2002, SLP Firehawk, #738, LS1 5.7L V-8, 345 hp, 350 ft/lbs, Bilstein suspension, t-tops, chrome wheels, 6-sp manual Tremac tranny with Hurst linkage and Lou's Short Stik shifter, BMR strut tower brace, SLP Loudmouth II exhaust. See at http://community.webshots.com/album/34773273cciDPu
Raven
Posts: 2922
Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2003 10:58 am
Location: Lac Ste. Marie, Quebec

Re: Amazing! (garnermike)

Post by Raven »

It's your dollar but I'd rather add $5.00 per tire and get real tires. They may have improved and may make something decent by now but I'm certainly not going to risk it when there are so many good tires available.
Sublimewind
Posts: 5140
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 4:44 am

Re: Amazing! (Raven)

Post by Sublimewind »

Quote, originally posted by Raven »It's your dollar but I'd rather add $5.00 per tire and get real tires. They may have improved and may make something decent by now but I'm certainly not going to risk it when there are so many good tires available.I concour... When I'm looking for tires, I hit the forums and see what people are saying.. Like the Falken FK452's i'm running currently on my Subie... There was a HUGE thread on my subie forums about them and how great they TRUELY were, i'm not talking Tire Rack reviews that can easily be "edited", but true, real people using the tires to the actual potential.. Granted, i'm usually after a performance tire, but the difference in a few dollers can make a HUGE difference in the overall outcome and how well you like the product... I got my 452's for Personaly, I wouldn't touch Nexen with a 10' pole... BUT, that is just my own personal opinion.. and just ONE opinion... When i'm looking, i'm looking for as many opinions as I can get, the higher the numbers, the better the statistic..
engineertwin2
Posts: 914
Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2005 10:08 am

Re: You can get them at a very good price (garnermike)

Post by engineertwin2 »

Quote, originally posted by garnermike »Nexen is a relatively new Chinese company that is building its network in the USA and elsewhere.Nexen Tire is not a Chinese company - it is a Korean company (it's not the same). Been in business since 1942 according to their website.Nexen's direct competition is Hankook Tires and Kumho Tires.I bought new treads for the Vibe GT yesterday. I had the opportunity to save some cash on all four by going with Nexen. Instead, went with Yokohama Avid V4s'. They should provide long tread life and good handling. Still set me back $590. I don't like to spend a lot on tires, but in the end the are the only thing between your car and the ground and thus become a rather critical component. It's a place I personally choose not to skimp on.
2004 Vibe GT Lava Monotone, Moon & Tunes PackageMods:Homelink17" TenzoR Mach 10s, Black w/ Red grooveTintFormer Cars: '87 Subaru DL, '99 Chevy Malibu (hated it)'99 VW Passat (like it), '99 Volvo S80 T6 (wet dreams are made of it)
Sublimewind
Posts: 5140
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 4:44 am

Re: You can get them at a very good price (engineertwin2)

Post by Sublimewind »

Quote, originally posted by engineertwin2 »I bought new treads for the Vibe GT yesterday. I had the opportunity to save some cash on all four by going with Nexen. Instead, went with Yokohama Avid V4s'. They should provide long tread life and good handling. Still set me back $590. Sounds like you got hosed to me...lol....
Raven
Posts: 2922
Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2003 10:58 am
Location: Lac Ste. Marie, Quebec

Re: You can get them at a very good price (Sublimewind)

Post by Raven »

With tax etc. that's actually a pretty good price. They're $528.00 at Discount Tire for 215/50/17.
engineertwin2
Posts: 914
Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2005 10:08 am

Re: You can get them at a very good price (Sublimewind)

Post by engineertwin2 »

Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind »Sounds like you got hosed to me...lol.... Sounds like you haven't bought tires lately J/k...
2004 Vibe GT Lava Monotone, Moon & Tunes PackageMods:Homelink17" TenzoR Mach 10s, Black w/ Red grooveTintFormer Cars: '87 Subaru DL, '99 Chevy Malibu (hated it)'99 VW Passat (like it), '99 Volvo S80 T6 (wet dreams are made of it)
Sublimewind
Posts: 5140
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 4:44 am

Re: You can get them at a very good price (engineertwin2)

Post by Sublimewind »

Quote, originally posted by engineertwin2 »Sounds like you haven't bought tires lately J/k...Not true actually, just this late spring/early summer, when I put the Volks on the Subie... I must say, I bought a performance tire and not an "all-season" which are always more expensive for some strange reason... my Falkens came in at 388 shipped WITH replacement certs..IIRC... lol... http://www.discounttiredirect....manceI also got a rebate or 2... lol...
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