I am beginning to consider a new set. I like the Firestone’s that Dev bought, but they do not appear to come in 15” appropriate sizes for the front(‘03) of my Spyder. I am a Bridgestone fan, but they don’t have a summer tire sizing that works. Next up is probably Yokohama’s. I need a tire that performs well in the rain. The s.drives seem to, but I think they are discontinued? Has anyone used the Fieva(sp?) series on the car yet? Tire Rack gives them only mediocre wet pavement ratings. Otherwise, they might be a strong contender. Appreciate any input.
Topic starter
Posted : June 9, 2020 8:06 pm
I am going to copy one of my posts from another forum, and amend it, as 5 months has gone by
Continental Extreme Contact Sport. 115-125 per tire at discount tire (local to me and good to work with)
I went through the Yokohama S Drives (NLA) and didnt like the wet weather traction on them.
Have now seen a few positive reviews of the Flevias. Still waiting on more data.
Have now seen a few positive reviews of the Flevias. Still waiting on more data.
I went with the Continentals ExtremeContactsport, 205-50-15 on the front 205-45-16 rear (2004 staggered sizes), and have been through a winter already, and much rain.
I liked their performance in wet weather until the tread depth hit 4/32 on the RR tire.
5 mo ago, Discount tire warrantied it out, and the replacement will go on shortly, then monitor the other one, until it hits 4/32 (currently 6/32) and get it warrantied out as well. 3 months ago, warrantied out the other rear as well.
I did not get any better tread life out of the Contis over the Yokos.
However, the Continentals have a 30K mile warranty, whereas the Yokos have none.
Since I drive it very hard, that warranty was worth $88 on this replacement tire, since I only saw 9K miles out of it. $80 rebated on rear #2.
A note on "Summer Only" tires.
Yes, they explicitly state that they should not be used below freezing. Many of us have driven them in such (personally down to 20F degrees) weather, and continue to do so.
you definitely do have to understand the lower traction when temp is cold, and adjust driving to match the abilities.
For me, this weather only lasts 24-36 hours, and then back above 40 and life is good.
Posted : June 9, 2020 8:42 pm
I had S Drives in 195/50/R15 on front and 205/45/R16 rear. At 21,000 miles the rears were gone. I went with 185/55/15 front and 205/50/16 rear in the Yokohama Fleva. The car has never felt this good before! The 185's in the front really feel so much better than the 195's.
2007 S2000 (New Formula Red)
2005 Spyders (Two in Paradise Blue Metallic, One Super White)
2004 Tundra SR5 Double Cab (White with 2UZ-FE Engine)
2003 Tundra SR5 Access Cab (Silver Stepside with 2UZ-FE Engine)
2003 Sequoia SR5 (Black with 2UZ-FE Engine)
1970 Olds 442 W30 (Nugget Gold )
Posted : June 9, 2020 9:42 pm
Thanks for the replies. How are the Fievas performing for you in the wet? Those are probably the sizes I would go with as well. Any other suggestions for an ‘03?
Topic starter
Posted : June 10, 2020 7:11 pm
I had S Drives in 195/50/R15 on front and 205/45/R16 rear. At 21,000 miles the rears were gone. I went with 185/55/15 front and 205/50/16 rear in the Yokohama Fleva. The car has never felt this good before! The 185's in the front really feel so much better than the 195's.
Ok, you've got my curiosity. I run 195's in the front, I've only run 185's for a few weeks and that was many years ago so I really have no opinion here...what did you feel was the difference between 195 & 185 in the front?
Posted : June 10, 2020 8:50 pm
@forminfunction Feels more lively, turn in is crisp. I have always thought that wider tires are better. I was wrong. Dev recommended those sizes when I had trouble matching OEM specs, Really glad that he did.
I am going back to OEM specs on my S2000 to see if the behavior is similar. Still just seems wrong that wider is not (necessarily) better. Live and learn!
2007 S2000 (New Formula Red)
2005 Spyders (Two in Paradise Blue Metallic, One Super White)
2004 Tundra SR5 Double Cab (White with 2UZ-FE Engine)
2003 Tundra SR5 Access Cab (Silver Stepside with 2UZ-FE Engine)
2003 Sequoia SR5 (Black with 2UZ-FE Engine)
1970 Olds 442 W30 (Nugget Gold )
Posted : June 10, 2020 9:14 pm
@murray They seem great in the wet but in central Texas recently I have not had many times to observe water from the sky!
2007 S2000 (New Formula Red)
2005 Spyders (Two in Paradise Blue Metallic, One Super White)
2004 Tundra SR5 Double Cab (White with 2UZ-FE Engine)
2003 Tundra SR5 Access Cab (Silver Stepside with 2UZ-FE Engine)
2003 Sequoia SR5 (Black with 2UZ-FE Engine)
1970 Olds 442 W30 (Nugget Gold )
Posted : June 10, 2020 9:16 pm
@desertwanderer Thanks, I've heard that described before, but since you didn't specify I didn't want to ask it as a leading question. Like you stated, the issue can sometimes be finding matching tires in that 185 size, which is why I've been on 195's.
Posted : June 10, 2020 10:11 pm
Thanks for the feedback about the Fievas. And yes, 185’s do make that much difference on the Spyder regarding turn in and responsive feel.
Topic starter
Posted : June 10, 2020 11:27 pm