I was looking into getting the Toyo Proxes 4 (mostly because I can get them at a really good price)

Does anyone have experience with these?

What sizes do I need to get?
Just the stock 205/55 16 and 225/50 16?

I have an '01 and live in Florida if that matters.


Thanks

 

no, you need the 245/45's for the rear. do they come in that size?

no experience with proxes 4, only ra1's. can you get a deal on those? =D

 

ok, what about the fronts?

Why the size difference?

I might be able to get a deal on those. This is the situation. A friend has a car shop and gets a good deal on tires, but he wants me to switch to these because he uses them on a few cars and likes them a lot for florida rain.
But he has no experience with S2ks so I wanted to get some opinions from you guys first. Most importantly is the sizes though.

Here is the size list on Toyos site:
http://www.toyo.com/tires/tire_specsheet.cfm?id=18

 

The 225/50's in the rear are OEM S02 sizes. Since you have an older S2000 and unless you have only 5K miles on them, they are the incorrect size. The 225/50 OEM S02's are more like a 250/45 if such a tire existed. The closest sizing is a 245/45. Anything else will induce a little unwanted oversteer due to the smaller contact patch in the rear.

Given the specs of the Toyo Proxes 4 - they have a treadwear of 300. UGH. While treadwear ratings vary from model to model even within a manufacturer - they should have a base guideline to get an 'estimate' of what they should feel like. 300 will last a long while but will be hard as a rock. I would go with the Potenza S03s for performance and rain performance as well. 205's in the front and 245's in the rear.

 

doesnt look like they have the right size, so Im gonna have to go with something else. Just want something that wears a little better than the S02.

Yeah its an older S, but it only has 16000 miles on it with the original tires.

So far this is the list that I have found:
Bridgestone Potenza S02
Bridgestone Potenza S03 Pole
Bridgestone Potenza RE-050
Toyo T1-S
Toyo RA-1

 

The RA1's are an R compound. While they do work for the street, they have a stiff sidewall and grip like bubble gum to the street. Very aggressive and will heat cycle for quite some time. This isn't the direction you should go.

S03 Pole Positions are going to be your best option, especially for rainy days. The OEM S02's (not the discontinued suck *** pole position S02's) work great in the dry, but in the wet... you'll wish you had a better oh-**** handle.

The T1-S's work, but... not that great. They are only slightly softer than the others you are looking into.

One other to look into, a cheap alternative for an 85% tire - Sumitomo HTR's. I've ran them on the street for a while, and two track events as well. They heat up, but are squirley. I wish I could have them shaved when I ordered them, but they seem to work well as they are. Something to check out. IIRC, they were about 350 for the set, maybe just under 400.

 

I think the proxy 4's are great all seasons.. specially for rain/dry.. never had a problem and also doesn't wear down as fast as your typical Z-rated tire does.. I used to use the FZ4's as well before they got rid of em in favor of the proxy4's... and liked those as well.. a good street tire for the price and good treadwear...

not sure why everyone else hates em.. I do like the T1S more as they felt a bit stickier, but of course that comes at a price...

So far I've run S03's, S02's, T1S, and Nitto 555's as well on the car... and I really do prefer the Toyo's over the bridgestones.. bridgestones jus seem overrated to me, AND overpriced.. the the p4's felt pretty much identical to my s02's... granted my s02's were on my stocks while i have proxy4's on 17s..

good tire.. good price.. specially for street.. i probably wouldn't recommend it for track tho.

 

I was looking into the Proxy 4s, but am not sure what size to get since everyone says I cant go with the stock 225/50/16. I can get them for $375 mounted.

The toyo site lists these sizes:
205/40ZR16 83W
195/50R16 88W
225/50R16 96V
205/55R16 94V
205/55R16 94V
205/45ZR16 87W
205/50R16 91V
245/50R16 97V
215/55R16 97V

The FZ4s seem to be about the same sizes as the Proxy 4s

As for the S03s, they might be out of my price range right now, but I may go for them if I can get a good price.

And I guess I can drop the RA1s off the list.

So for now I guess I need to know if I can use on of the prozy 4 sizes above?

Otherwise I will go with either the S02s or S03s or T1-Ss

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thedriver &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I was looking into the Proxy 4s, but am not sure what size to get since everyone says I cant go with the stock 225/50/16. I can get them for $375 mounted.

The toyo site lists these sizes:
205/40ZR16 83W
195/50R16 88W
225/50R16 96V
205/55R16 94V
205/55R16 94V
205/45ZR16 87W
205/50R16 91V
245/50R16 97V
215/55R16 97V

The FZ4s seem to be about the same sizes as the Proxy 4s

As for the S03s, they might be out of my price range right now, but I may go for them if I can get a good price.

And I guess I can drop the RA1s off the list.

So for now I guess I need to know if I can use on of the prozy 4 sizes above?

Otherwise I will go with either the S02s or S03s or T1-Ss</TD></TR></TABLE>

for non oem sizes... to not affect performance/odo in anyway.. it should be 205/55/16 in the front, and 245/45/16 in the rear..

so the only diff would be in the rears as far as running a 245/50 on the rear with whats available... I've seen and know a few ppl running 245/50's on the rear with no probs.. I would probably do the same IMO and i had a deal on tires..

 

I have some on my del sol. No problems yet, i'm @ 7k with them.

 

what would be the difference between running the 245/50 and the 225/50?

I dont race at all, just mostly fun driving around the city

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by s2kds &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have some on my del sol. No problems yet, i'm @ 7k with them. </TD></TR></TABLE>

What color del sol?

I also have a black 2001 S2000 and a blue 1994 del sol

 

I'll just say this for now - if you drop any additional dollars on any kind of modifications in order to handle better or perform better, you will suffer when it comes to the tire combination. The tires are the only thing that mean the most when it comes to grip on the go and when you brake too. This isn't just for twisties and turns either. But imagine the 200+ bucks someone throws down on a shock tower bar that does nothing, when that 200 could go towards tires which will pay for itself greatly.

Just something to consider. In otherwords - cheap out on tires? It might bite you.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thedriver &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what would be the difference between running the 245/50 and the 225/50?

I dont race at all, just mostly fun driving around the city</TD></TR></TABLE>

you would obviously have less of a contact patch on the 225/50 then you should.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr. Bagel &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'll just say this for now - if you drop any additional dollars on any kind of modifications in order to handle better or perform better, you will suffer when it comes to the tire combination. The tires are the only thing that mean the most when it comes to grip on the go and when you brake too. This isn't just for twisties and turns either. But imagine the 200+ bucks someone throws down on a shock tower bar that does nothing, when that 200 could go towards tires which will pay for itself greatly.

Just something to consider. In otherwords - cheap out on tires? It might bite you.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I see your point here, however I don't see how your point of just being cheap on tires is. These aren't considered as "cheap" tires normally... just because hes getting a deal on the tires doesn't make them crap. I can understand if he was considering some $20 tires instead of a performance tire..

The only thing we're comparing here is the diff from a 245/45/16 recommended to a 245/50/16... which honestly isn't that big of a diff IMO.. and not only IMO, there are lots of ppl running it with no reported problems.. especially jus for spirited driving on the street..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by beanolo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">These aren't considered as "cheap" tires normally... just because hes getting a deal on the tires doesn't make them crap. I can understand if he was considering some $20 tires instead of a performance tire.. </TD></TR></TABLE>
In Toyo spec, these are 300 treadwear. To me, for a sports car, that is a bit cheap. I even consider the AVS Sports to be cheap as well, even though they cost the same dollars as the OEM S02's if not a few bucks more.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr. Bagel &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
In Toyo spec, these are 300 treadwear. To me, for a sports car, that is a bit cheap. I even consider the AVS Sports to be cheap as well, even though they cost the same dollars as the OEM S02's if not a few bucks more.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree 100%. That as a track/street tire, its definitely on the lower end of the spectrum... HOWEVER.. for the posters intent, for a "driving around the city" tire, im saying that it definitely passes with flying colors, a) because i used them before and have read reviews from others before I decided to get them, and b) higher treadlife is what the poster wants which is why he is switching from S02's in the first place and c) cost IS an issue...

so with all these things in mind... the toyo's are the best buy in his situation and what he is lookin for


also.. back on the 245 vs 225 on the rears... i remember seeing a picture posted by someone that showed the the OE honda s02's have a wider patch then a 245 T1s.. which is why if you buy any other brand then the OE bridgestones you would need a 245 on the rear.

 

Thanks to both of you for all the info.

Mr. Bagel,
I know the Proxy 4s are far from the best tire around, but if its works well in the heat, works in the florida rain and get good miles Ill be happy, especially with the price im getting.

My only worries are that the 245/50s wont fit perfectly on my stock 16 rims.

And that I need to explain to my tire guy that when it says my car calls for 225/50s it means 245/45s and I am going to use 245/50s.

Thanks for all the info.