Tire Help Quick!!!!!

[saffikeagan]

I've got a tire that is living on borrowed time, and I am no closer to an answer to what tires I need on my car. Everytime I try to talk with "professionals" at different tire stores, I get a different answer from each person. As I know nothing about tires, I can't even get into it with them.

My main issue is that I'm slipping and sliding all over the road. Some unruliness is expected in a Miata vs any other bigger heavier car, but my '97 didn't slip around as much as my current '94 is. Seriously it's gripping worse in the rain than my Camry did when it had bald tires. So I have a '94 that is 100% stock so the tire size is that "oddball size that noone is making anymore that limits your choices (ie you need to shut up and buy what we are trying to sell you)." Of course my response was that there are a lot of older Miatas on the road that seem to be getting good tires somewhere." I digress.

In December, I was forced to put some tires on it quick and the best tires I could get at that point were some Continental Touring Contact AS tires. They are on my back. I have a set of Road Huggers on the front (when I bought the car there were Road Huggers all around and that was just a nightmare).

Now one of my Road Huggers is in bad shape (separated bands?) and as long as I need one new tire, I want to solve my problems.

This is a long winded way of asking:

1) What are some good slightly higher performance tires for all purpose use?

2) Will they work with the relatively new Continentals I have, or am I looking at having to buy 4 new tires?

3) Where do you guys get your tires from/who do you use? cause I'm not going to keep dealing with cheep chains that won't listen to what I want.

[Ted the Red]

I am no expert.... but I am pretty sure if this can stay near the top of the list someone that is might chime in. I think your grip issues maybe related to more than just tires.

[POS Racing]

A set of 4 matched tires always make a Miata Happy!

We have the Hankook RS2's on both our '99 and our '02 for daily use. The Falken Azenis are also a popular choice. Plus I'm sure you will see a few more choices listed below.

Couple of questions for you:
1. When was the last time you had an alignment?
2. How old are the shocks?

[CraiginTX]

For mostly commuting, THESE are popular with Miata folk, and pretty cheap at $72 each and a $50 rebate. Talk to Al Cavan at Discount Tire - last I heard, he was at the store at Coit & 190. I'd say 4 matching as well, and if you want sticky, high performance rubber, the Azenis (^^^what he said ^^^) are great - but not as cheap, and you'll need the 195 size.

Good luck

[sxk122]

I have the Falkens CraiginTX just posted on the back and i like them so far..... only been 500 miles.

I had the same Falken's on my old car at one point and never had any issues with them and liked their performance.

[cone-cerned]

I, also, am not an expert, but I met one once.

A 100% stock 1994 Miata will have 14" wheels. I checked two online tire stores and they say Continental Contact A/S are only available in 15" or 17".

What size wheels do you have? There is a much better selection in the 15" or 17" size.

On my 1994 I have only used Falken Azenis RT-615's in 195/60R14 size. They are not the best tire for the street, but IMHO, they are the best 14" tire for street tire autocrossing.

[POS Racing]

I'd say 4 matching as well, and if you want sticky, high performance rubber, the Azenis (^^^what he said ^^^) are great - but not as cheap, and you'll need the 195 size.

Good luck

Yea the RS2's cost ya like $1.00 a tire more.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes....el=Ventus+R-S2

I also use Discount Tire (the westsider have a couple guys (in Colleyville & Arlington) who are also Al Like!)

[tailchaser]

plus a billionty on the 512s... Love 'em on the Miata. Much grippier than I expected, and very reassuring in rain and cold. Guessing they're probably good for 25-30k miles with my alignment based on wear during the first 10k.

[saffikeagan]

Well, I thought it was 100% original. The rest of the numbers are P185/60R14. I take it that last number means I still have 14s. Last year the Touring Contacts were made in the 14, but they got discontinued this year. I have only had the car for one year. I was going to have the alignment checked while I had it in for a new belt to get the AC blowing cold again, but Midas (the closest place I could find at 1:30pm today while sitting in traffic on LBJ) didn't even want to do an alignment cause my one tire is literally coming apart.

I really haven't had much of the car checked out. It only had 54K on it when I bought it (for a steal in the middle of BFE Texas--well, Red Oak), so I never had it thoroughly checked out (lack of funds might have contributed to the fact that I haven't spit shined and started having fun toys added). So I really wouldn't be able to tell you the state of the shocks. I can go jump on the bumper and see how fast it bounces back up....

[channelmaniac]

Get your alignment checked out. AJ (BAM!) works at the NTB in Lewisville and is both a Miata driver and an expert at aligning the Miata. You can even sit in the car to have a perfect alignment with your weight in the driver's seat.

That' calmed down the squirrely rear end in my 2003 drastically when driving on wet roads.

[cone-cerned]

Well, I thought it was 100% original. The rest of the numbers are P185/60R14. ....

For the 14" wheels, I would vote for the Falken ZE-512's if you can find them. Like the 14" Contact A/S, they have been discontinued. You may have to go with the ZE-912, the replacement for the ZE-512. I think four tires that are the same is a better setup. YMMV

If you decide to try autocrossing, time trials or HPDE, the Falken Azenis RT-615 or the Hankook RS-2 would be a great choice.

Happy motoring.

[saffikeagan]

For the 14" wheels, I would vote for the Falken ZE-512's if you can find them. Like the 14" Contact A/S, they have been discontinued. You may have to go with the ZE-912, the replacement for the ZE-512. I think four tires that are the same is a better setup. YMMV

If you decide to try autocrossing, time trials or HPDE, the Falken Azenis RT-615 or the Hankook RS-2 would be a great choice.

Happy motoring.

I'd be an autocross fanatic had I a second car and some spare cash.

[Ted the Red]

I'd be an autocross fanatic had I a second car and some spare cash.

What do you need those for???????

[creek]

I have Falken Azzenis on my 94 and I love them but the 512s or their replacement look like a great deal for a street only tire. Autocross isn't really that much harder on your car than street driving and a heck of a lot safer (no Escalades). Come give it a try.

[Rogue]

I'd be an autocross fanatic had I a second car and some spare cash.

"If you can't drive it stock, you can't drive it modified" - Gareth Rebstock @ Cen-La

I daily drove my EStocker for years, and learning to handle your daily could save your life!

[gabkwong]

The August issue of Grassroots Motor Sports "Cheap Skates" recommends the Falken Ziex ZE-912 for everyday driving! The 15" is in the low $50 each. They will be my next set.

[saffikeagan]

Visa is 360 odd dollars happier having me as a customer, my car is 4 tires zippier, and I am significantly happier with my new 512s.
Off to give 'er a scrub down so she can look as spiffy as the new tires make her zippy.

I don't think the Falcons are going to help my gas mileage tho'.

Now, what was that about autocrossing......................................

[Magma]

Make sure you visit BAM at NTB Lewisville for a top notch allignment

[cone-cerned]

Next autocross is Texas Region SCCA on the bus lot at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday July 13th.