Current tire recommendations for 1995 with stock 17"/16"

[Wild Turkey]

No recent discussion thread I can find. Last spring, I couldn't find anything in stock for stock front size. This year, more options. I need F & R. Looking on Tire Rack for 215/45ZR16 and 245/40ZR17, options today are:

1. FALKEN AZENIS RT660 $800
2. BFGOODRICH G-FORCE RIVAL S 1.5 $870 (only 1 of each in stock)
3. BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE-71RS $960

I've had Bridgestone RE10's in the past but wasn't that impressed. Are the RE-71RS's better? Price is similar. Suggestions welcome.

 

[Miner]

A search in the wheels and tires section should yield a thread on 16/17 tires. I believe Continentals are a good fit, as are some Firestones and Goodriches.
Although 215 and 245s are the original spec, it seems like going down to 205 up front increases selection ( to the above).

 

[Wild Turkey]

Thanks. I couldn't find anything recent on the 16/17's, other than decreasing tire options and your noted 205 width increasing the options. I was planning on the Continentals until I couldn't get the stock size. The issue is that the 205 is 9 mm smaller in diameter and I don't want to lower my car any more than the 25 mm it already is, so I want to stay stock. It seems the only tires left in the stock sizes are 200/track formulation.
I seem to see the Falken's a lot but I was wondering if the Bridgestones were worth the extra $. I don't track.
Mod, feel free to move to Wheels & Tires section if desired - perhaps I should have started it there.

 

[ajmr2]

I bought a F&R set of the Falken AZ RT615Ks in 2017 which have been excellent.
F 215.45.16, R 255.40.17. I believe the AZ RT 660s are the same tread and tire wear.

 

[Honcho]

Thanks. I couldn't find anything recent on the 16/17's, other than decreasing tire options and your noted 205 width increasing the options. I was planning on the Continentals until I couldn't get the stock size. The issue is that the 205 is 9 mm smaller in diameter and I don't want to lower my car any more than the 25 mm it already is. It seems the only tires left in the stock sizes are 200/track formulation.
I seem to see the falken's a lot but I was wondering if the Bridgestones were worth the extra $. I don't track.

The RT660 are really good tires and if you don't track, then I don't think you need the extra grip of the RE-71.

 

[acuhon]

I like Rivals . Just be careful in heavy rain. It feels like you are riding a jet ski.

 

[bullithollywood]

The Bridgestones are pretty awesome for street tires, and are the direct OEM lineage of the RE-010s. Which I'm surprised you didn't like. The were arguably the best tires I've ever had, better feel and response than any other I've used since.

 

[Wild Turkey]

The Bridgestones are pretty awesome for street tires, and are the direct OEM lineage of the RE-010s. Which I'm surprised you didn't like. The were arguably the best tires I've ever had, better feel and response than any other I've used since.

They were 7 years old with ~500 miles when they came on the car, so maybe they weren't 100%, despite being stored indoors (on the car.) It seemed like an improvement when I went to the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's. Based on your impression, I think I'll go for the RE-71's which aren't a lot more expensive and seem like a continuation.

 

[Honcho]

They were 7 years old with ~500 miles when they came on the car, so maybe they weren't 100%, despite being stored indoors (on the car.) It seemed like an improvement when I went to the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's. Based on your impression, I think I'll go for the RE-71's which aren't a lot more expensive and seem like a continuation.

You won't be disappointed- it's a fantastic tire.

 

[tucsonsx]

Agreed - I just replaced my 15 year old OEM Bridgestone RE010 tires with a set of RE71RS tires. Online reviews were that the RE71RS tires were loud and rough riding but my exhaust is loud enough that I can't tell if they are loud or not and the ride is more comfortable. The steering effort is lower, the turn in is sharp, and lots of grip to cover for my aged reflexes. The tread pattern looks like wet weather driving could get sporty but my car hasn't seen rain in decades so no worries there. I also set the front toe to zero since the new tires don't have the built in bias in the belts like the RE010s. Combined with a UTQG of 120 and the belt bias a new set of OEM tires were magic but that was then and this is now.

 

[Wild Turkey]

They were 7 years old, so maybe they weren't 100%, despite being stored indoors (on the car.) Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's seemed like an improvement. Based on your impression, I think I'll go for the RE-71's which aren't a lot more expensive and seem like a continuation.

You won't be disappointed- it's a fantastic tire.

Should have followed this up. Agree with @tucsonsx and @Honcho. Loved those new RE-71's on my 1995. Excellent predictable grip, and also more comfortable. Good turn in, & didn't seem bad in the rain at all the few times I got caught. (Stock alignment) I didn't find them noisy and my exhaust is barely louder than stock, especially if I'm not leaning on it. Not super long wearing though. I suspect the RE010's were just past their prime.

But I traded the '95 on an '01, which came with RT660's - seem almost as good as well. I'll probably go with the RE-71's when I need new shoes in the next year or so.

 

[centerpunch]

I’m fine with anyone running whatever tires they want, but adding a caveat here for others reading this thread who may not have the complete background on the tires being discussed.

They are all essentially streetable track tires that can be ruined by merely being exposed to cold temperature a single time. All three have similar warnings posted in their TireRack descriptions.

(If you instead use 205/45-16 on the front there are good options for both high performance summer tires and all-seasons.)
.

 

[Wild Turkey]

Important PSA @centerpunch. My NSX goes into the humidity controlled garage long before -7C arrives in the fall and doesn't come out until at least 2 good spring rains after the last snowfall to wash any potential road salt away. (Coming out this weekend I hope!)
I did wash it in Feb. Pic looks like driving with the snow, but I only moved it barely out of the garage since it had warmed up to +7C (45F) that freaky day. But agree folks who drive in winter temps should consider their tires carefully and visually inspect frequently. (We should all probably do that.)

The owner's manual actually suggests different oil viscosity for driving in lower temperatures, below 0F (-20C!) I thought it was a typo until I saw those Colorado guys driving pictures. I guess you can get away with it if they don't use road salt in your jurisdiction:

 

[tucsonsx]

I’m from Tucson - what is this thing called cold weather?

 

[Honcho]

Important PSA @centerpunch. My NSX goes into the humidity controlled garage long before -7C arrives in the fall and doesn't come out until at least 2 good rains after the last snowfall to wash any potential road salt away. (Coming out this weekend I hope!)
I did wash it this Feb, and the picture looks off, but it had actually warmed up to over 7C (45F) that freaky day! But folks who drive in those temps should consider their tires carefully and visually inspect frequently. (We should all probably do that.)
View attachment 200016
The owner's manual actually suggests different oil viscosity for driving in lower temperatures, down to -30C! I thought it was a typo until I saw those Colorado guys driving pictures. I guess you can get away with it if they don't use road salt in your jurisdiction:
View attachment 200017

We use mag chloride in Colorado. Rust free but it eats paint, so we try to wash the cars every few weeks during the winter, including the NSX. It's mostly sunny and dry here even in winter, so you can drive quite a bit. Conti ECS work great all the way down to about 20F, I can report.

 

[tucsonsx]

We really miss you Canadians here this year. You were always so nice in the Home Depot, on the golf course, and in the restaurants - not to mention all the sales and property taxes you were paying. In the words of Don Corleone " so unfortunate and so unnecessary ".