Recently I went on a quest for tires (like comic strip character BC in a Commodore 64 game).
When I bought the car with 10,050 miles on it, the original owner put some generic “all-weather” tires on it. I hated those things and when I hit 25,000, I bought myself some really nice BF Goodrich Comp T/A all-seasons.
I loved the look of the new tires, and they sure felt great. I was very unhappy when I had to replace them after 30,000 miles. Then I found I was “lucky” to get more than 20,000 on a set of tires!
Well, having no desire to replace $500+ sets tires that often, I did some shopping. I chose a set of Kumho Ecsta for my ride.
What surprised me most in my shopping is the MX-5 recommends W rated tires, which are a softer compound, even though the treadwear rating I had was over 400. The tires I bought are only V rated with a treadwear rating of over 500.
So now I have a harder compound, but I get a smoother ride…go figure.
The first few days with the tires were a little scary. There is a decreased level of grip, and with the gloss on new tires before you scrub them in, it felt a little like driving on ice! Things feel fine now, but I do still notice less grip, but I think it will be well worth it in the end when I can go maybe 50,000 miles on my magic donuts.
If you decide to go this route, there is one other thing I learned. On your door tag regarding tires, your car may “require” the W rated tires (my NC does not), and you could fail inspection with anything less.
I remember when Paul Walker died. He was in a Porsche with 9 year old tires. I thought "who the heck has that much money and drives on 9 year old tires?" I would never be Paul Walker. Tires start degrading the day they are made, so I like to keep mine fresh. My tires on my RF are 2 years old and I can feel it is time to destroy them in a parking lot.
Louie
2014 Club 2.5L "Punisher Edition", 2017 RF GT
I remember when Paul Walker died. He was in a Porsche with 9 year old tires. I thought "who the heck has that much money and drives on 9 year old tires?"
was that your first thought on the incident, or is that still your thought?
Not sure. Either one, or both. They were going 90 mph in a Porsche designed to take that speed at stride. So it isn't the car's fault. So tires and/or driver error caused the crash.
2014 Club 2.5L "Punisher Edition", 2017 RF GT
Not sure. Either one, or both. They were going 90 mph in a Porsche designed to take that speed at stride. So it isn't the car's fault. So tires and/or driver error caused the crash.
I meant more specifically the part where you said "who the heck has that much money and drives on 9 year old tires"
That was absolutely the first thing I thought. They are literally the only contact to the road. The number one piece of safety equipment. And to have as much money as he and his circle of friends have, and ride around on 9 year old tires, blew my mind. I had an S10 that I only put 30,000 miles on in 10 years. I had to replace them due to dry rot long before the tread wore down.
2014 Club 2.5L "Punisher Edition", 2017 RF GT
That was absolutely the first thing I thought. They are literally the only contact to the road. The number one piece of safety equipment. And to have as much money as he and his circle of friends have, and ride around on 9 year old tires, blew my mind. I had an S10 that I only put 30,000 miles on in 10 years. I had to replace them due to dry rot long before the tread wore down.
Paul Walker was the passenger, Roger Rodas was driving the car, and owner of the car.
They weren't really going anywhere when they were in the car, they were at their business in an office park on a Sunday when most of the businesses were closed; and decided to take it for a short spin on the near-empty roads in the office park.
While Roger was no stranger to fast cars (he owned several Saleen cars), he was not familiar with the Carrera GT, and was on the old tires when he was driving over 90mph and hit the tree.
Roger was a car collector, and just bought the car (possibly from Graham Rahal, possibly from someone who owned it after Graham).
Like many collector cars, which are owned by collectors, it had low miles (3,500), and had the factory tires for the purpose of being "original".
That type of collector is exactly the type of person with that much money who drives on nine year old tires.
Can’t tell if you are being sarcastic or not - but he can buy whatever tires he wants just like you can.... I like his idea of buying cheaper ones so you don’t worry about squealing them or hitting a $200 pothole..
Sarcasm is the use of words usually used to either mock or annoy someone, or for humorous purposes. That did not happen here.
First thing, I need to ask you where you find potholes for $200, I need to buy some new ones and my old ones have been filled in. (see, THAT is sarcasm)
You really need to stop implying I've said things I clearly did not say.
Where exactly did I tell Louie that he, or anyone else, can't buy whatever tires they want?
I'll do you a favor here, and tell you right now that I NEVER said that ANYWHERE.
What I did say, exactly was:
"Basically, I just wanted to warn everyone of what's going on with my situation.
I have a daily driver, the W rated tires don't last, and I don't want to spend $500+ every other year on tires when I can make them last twice as long with a V rated tire.
The tradeoff is while the V rated tire gives a smoother/quieter ride (on a harder compound, go figure), there will be less grip because the car's suspension is set up to have the extra grip the W rated tire provides. It is a much different feeling when driving, not scary or anything like that, just different (OK, it was scary until I scrubbed them in). When hitting the twisties on our rides, I know I have to drive a little different to make up for it."
I said this simply to let others know my experience with my decision to get V rated tires so they would know about it before making a purchase.
Nowhere did I say what anyone could or could not do, nowhere did I say what anyone should or should not do.
As for what you decided to pull out of this thread as a quote; go back and read that part of what I originally wrote about not wanting to have to replace $500+ tires so often; then read Louie's response, then re-read mine.
Louie was giving information that made it appear he was paying less for tires than I plan on paying; my response was only using math to show if I followed what he does, I would spend even more money.
The lady doth protest too much, me thinks
Jordan F. White, M.S.
2012 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT 6MT AWD (NB summer 2024!)
I bet he wishes now that he bought tires.
2014 Club 2.5L "Punisher Edition", 2017 RF GT
The lady doth protest too much, me thinks
you should start using thinking for replies instead of the nonsense and BS you post here, such as this, or in the other cases where you contradict yourself.
^^ it’s Shakespeare. Now personally, and I don’t think I’m alone here in “thinking” this - you have too much time on your hands
Jordan F. White, M.S.
2012 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT 6MT AWD (NB summer 2024!)
I bet he wishes now that he bought tires.
probably...
Although prior to this incident, I can't say I remember hearing about how old tires with plenty of tread on them have no grip. I'm sure it was a known fact by at least the tire makers, but I wonder how much this was known in the general populace at that time.
^^ it’s Shakespeare. Now personally, and I don’t think I’m alone here in “thinking” this - you have too much time on your hands
says the one with 87 posts to my 66?
Wow how observant 😆 😆 yep you got me.
Jordan F. White, M.S.
2012 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT 6MT AWD (NB summer 2024!)
I feel like I should say "now for something completely different".
There is a penguin on the television.
2014 Club 2.5L "Punisher Edition", 2017 RF GT
