Looking for good tires for my 88

[Randys88Vette]

I have a 88 coupe that I have been running on Fuzion ZR1's since I bought the car in 2002. They have been a pretty nice ride and feel, but are now getting hard to find in my area. With all the road construction and potholes, and an ocassional slashed tire (getting to be annoying) replacing tires seems to be a constant thing for me. My local dealer is now telling me he cant get the ZRi's and I really dont know what is good for an 88. Most of the guys in the Vette club have newer cars (2000 or later) and they have really no ideas for me.

Yes, i do have other vehicles, and I get tires for those too. They are Michelins, Hankooks, and Goodyears. Pretty much what was standard on the car from manufacturer (they do work best i have found). I am just not sure when it comes to my baby, what tires woudl be good to put on her so she can grip the road and slide safely around the curves. No track or racing...strictly street driving. ANy help would be great! Thanks group!!

 

[boomdriver]

It looks ike you have the stock "salad shooter" rim pattern on the 88. That would be a 17", common on eveything starting in 88.

The OEM tire was Goodyear but they are making less and less for our C4 cars. The Goodyear GatorBack tire was a contract thing thats long since expired so they do not mfg as many in that size, these days.

My most recent purchase was BFG....Goodrich. I have to admit that I was not pleased with the limited selection but I wanted something that would be around in case I needed to buy a single in the future. Almost any shop can get the BFG tire.
To my surprize the BFG G-Force are great !
The price is good, approx $750 for the set, mounted, balanced etc.. Around $130 each then the usual "extra" charges for mounting & balancing, nitrogen and new stems...,.it all adds up to an extra $50 per tire somehow.

The BFG hold the road, do not wear quick like many do, and they do not sing excessively. For the money, thats the best deal going. There are many other 17" mfg but the availability or price are usually the problem.

 

[muddywaters]

It looks ike you have the stock "salad shooter" rim pattern on the 88. That would be a 17", common on eveything starting in 88.

The OEM tire was Goodyear but they are making less and less for our C4 cars. The Goodyear GatorBack tire was a contract thing thats long since expired so they do not mfg as many in that size, these days.

My most recent purchase was BFG....Goodrich. I have to admit that I was not pleased with the limited selection but I wanted something that would be around in case I needed to buy a single in the future. Almost any shop can get the BFG tire.
To my surprize the BFG G-Force are great !
The price is good, approx $750 for the set, mounted, balanced etc.. Around $130 each then the usual "extra" charges for mounting & balancing, nitrogen and new stems...,.it all adds up to an extra $50 per tire somehow.

The BFG hold the road, do not wear quick like many do, and they do not sing excessively. For the money, thats the best deal going. There are many other 17" mfg but the availability or price are usually the problem.

Ditto

 

[G Winter]

Check out Kumho I am having good luck with them, great in wet weather.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/tires/kumho/product/byName.do;jsessionid=1LrJNNbQqlXGGGYthXsbshfBnZk8PK5srx21CNJqvdYs3lGPJ75kkTkv0RfvpKgqGJ0752mgb6JfyC8Jh6RZvJdjllFpXbLp3TschhGkH0mZLLLRh2p211QYP5mcYCST!-532386777!587040363?tmn=Ecsta+ASX&typ=Passenger%2FPerformance

Glenn

 

[88C4]

I also have the Khumo tires from Discount Tire. They give a good ride and wear well.

 

[catbert]

I don't think you can beat the Goodrich for an all-around good value, performer. Buy at Discount tire and get their replacement warranty and never worry about road hazards again.

 

[charleshwhite]

I have used only Michelins forever (or at least since 1964) on my '65.

I needed medical assistance when I got the quote for my '93.

Much reading here on CAC and I noted that Junkie recommends and uses Kumhoes. He reported satisfaction with their performace, life, and value. So, while tire performace is very personal, I have great confidence in his recommendations. The Kumhoes on the 93 are quiet, stable, offer (for me) good road feel, and responsive performance. I use the vehicle for "touring" so for me the Kumhoes are a very very good alternative to the Michelins. But again it is a very personal thing.

I might put them on the 65, but the Michelins had such a profound postive performance impact on the vehicle which was and still is set up for the original bias/ply tires. Just changing from the original tire technology took the car from a hot rod race car to a powerful touring vehicle, I would not have thought that such a change would make such a dramatic difference in the car.

Again, tires are very personal, and all comentators have good information to offer so read and ponder carefully.

 

[Roasted Garlic Chicken]

general exclaim, made in Germany, cheap you feel you underpaid the whole time....

 

[Tuna]

I did a quick check of tirerack.com and found lots of tires in 275/40/17.

I'd buy the Goodyear F1 D3 but they are also the most expensive.

Kumho Exsta SPT $138, TWR 320
Kumho Exsta XS $159, TWR 180
BFG KDW $179, TWR 300
Michelin PS A/S $201, TWR 500
GY F1 D3 $240, TWR 280
TWR = Treadwear Rating - bigger equals longer life

I've used both the GY D3 and the Mich PS A/S on my C4s in the past and were happy with both. The D3 provided better dry traction and both worked very well in the rain. Friends have used the BFG and the Kumho tires and have been happy.

If you're using a local tire shop, you're may be limited to what they can get or you can order direct from tirerack.com and have a local shop install them for you.

 

[Baldie88]

I'll echo the recommondation for Kumho. I put them on about 2 years ago and couldn't be happier.

BTW - It looks like I've got a twin of your 88. Mine was born on May 31, 1988.

Ron
"Baldie88"