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

[tturkstra]

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).

 

[tturkstra]

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.

 

[tturkstra]

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.