I have recently been searching around for a reviews on a good wet tire. I found good reviews on the Bridgestone Potenza SO3, only issue is these tires are carrying $185 price tag. I was more so looking in the realm of $100-120. I figured the best place for this post was here in the Road Racing/Autocross section due to the number of individuals that are pushing the limits and testing the parts that keep them on the road and/or track. Considering my needs are there any tire suggestions that you would be willing to provide and I'll do the research myself online. If you feel to provide a small review even better, but not completely necessary.

<u>Needs:</u>

Good wet traction
Decent treadwear/life
$100-120 price tag in 205/45/16

I appreciate your time, thanks.

 

Two suggestions:

1. Goodyear F1 GS-D3 for $106. This tire is outstanding in every way - great dry traction, incredible wet traction, lasts a long time (treadwear rating 280), and it's reasonably priced. In fact, it's very similar to the S-03 except that it costs considerably less (more on that in a moment), as you can see in two side-by-side comparison tests on the Tire Rack's website here and here. It also won the Car and Driver test of eleven top-of-the-line tires. I've driven them and it's a great, great street tire, wet or dry.

In 205/45-16, it sells for $131/tire, which is a lot less than the S-03, but more than your target price. But if you buy a set by tomorrow, you can get a $100 cash card back from Goodyear (click here for details), which brings its price down to $106. That's a great price for one of the very best all-around street tires available today.

2. If you don't need the absolute ultimate in performance and you're looking to save some money, the Kumho Ecsta SPT is $71 in your size, and it's still very good on dry pavement, excellent on wet pavement (I rode in a student's car with these tires at Road America in pouring rain, and it was awesome), and lasts a long time (treadwear 320-340). Not quite at the F1 GS-D3 level, but it's a damn good tire at a great price. (By way of comparison, it's similar to the Yokohama ES100 in the dry, better in the wet, and less expensive in most sizes.)

Prices quoted above are from the Tire Rack.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by INVALID &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I figured the best place for this post was here in the Road Racing/Autocross section due to the number of individuals that are pushing the limits and testing the parts that keep them on the road and/or track.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Some of us hang out on the Wheels and Tires forum as well as in this one...

 

I greatly appreciate the information!! I Will look into the tire rack price as well as one at Discount tire I was attempting to get one locally to save on the shipping charges so I'm going to see what kind of deals are out there for both of these tires.

Thanks again - now to check out the ratings on both the tires

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by INVALID &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I greatly appreciate the information!! I Will look into the tire rack price as well as one at Discount tire I was attempting to get one locally to save on the shipping charges so I'm going to see what kind of deals are out there for both of these tires.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That Goodyear cash card deal should be valid at all Goodyear dealers, for purchases by tomorrow. If your local tire dealer doesn't have them in stock, they may have to order them for you; if so, just make sure you place your order and get some kind of receipt that shows today's or tomorrow's date, so it qualifies for the cash card.

 

i know this would be a $100 risk but I realized what the date is... I'm going to continue searching thru the net however, it's nearly July 4th. There will have to be some sort of 4th of July sales that stores will be advertising soon. Hopefully it pans but I'm going to see what's going to be available or even check around at some of the auto stores now to insure they will be doing it for at least one of the two tires listed (preferablly the Goodyear or another Bridgestone since it missed it last month).

 

Just a word of caution. My experience is that the really good tires - the ones that offer the best performance for the money - don't go on sale at stores. To get the best price on those, you usually have to either shop the 'net (the Tire Rack is usually about as low as anywhere, but shop around), or else negotiate a good price with a tire dealer in your area who is willing to give you a great deal, often by matching web price. Don't count on finding an advertised special on the really good tires. If you rely on what happens to be on sale, you're likely to end up with a tire whose performance just isn't as good as you can do for the money on the web.

 

Oh no, I certainly plan on the tires you mentioned. Right now it will just come down to some more reviews as to which of the two I will get. I was already settling by looking for a cheaper replacement in lieu of the Bridgestones. I wouldn't want to imagine what sort of tire I would end up with outside of the replacement choice.

 

Hoosier Dirt Stockers. Best DOT rain tire.