I found a few online retailers for the Toyo RA-1 and they were anywhere from $160-$200 a piece, which is the same as the Hoosiers in my size. I thought they were supposed to be cheaper then Hoosiers? For those who use the RA-1, where do you buy them?

 

I bought my last set at http://www.radialtire.com/. I don't have the receipt on me to verify the price but shaved and shipped to CA they were around $600.00. 205-50-15 BTW

 

I have a new set of 205/50R15 of Toyo RA-1 $145 each....$580 for 4 unshaved plus freight.....hurry they are going fast

 

http://www.frisbyracetire.com was the cheapest I found.

$605 shipped to my door in a 205/50-15. In that size the price is essentially the same for shaved vs. unshaved due to the $15 cost for shaving being offset by the $15 rebate on shaved tires.

Nash

 

Toyos aren't necessarily cheaper per tire than Hoosiers....but their useful life is significantly longer than a Hoosier, which means you don't have to buy new ones as often.

Prices I paid for 205/50/15 fit in with everyone above...

Jarrod

 

So, Toyo's prices have crept up pretty damned close to Hoosiers at this point huh?
Excellent.

To Toyo for marketing a cheap, long lasting tire which motivated multiple series to spec them... And then significantly raising their prices.

Thats awesome. I wish I'd have thought of it first .

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> To Toyo for marketing a cheap, long lasting tire which motivated multiple series to spec them... And then significantly raising their prices.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Scott... This'll be my 4th season running on Toyos, and the prices for me have essentially stayed the same. ~$140 per tire, depending on where you get them and if you have to pay freight and/or tax. Perhaps this is only for my size, but somehow I doubt it.

The "price advantage" of a Toyo isn't the initial outlay... it's the fact that you don't have to buy tires ever other weekend. I ran 40+ days on my last set of Toyos (almost 2 seasons of events)... AFAIK, you can't do that on a Hoosier. They heat-cycle themselves dead for racing purposes in 12 sessions (~4 days). I know the Toyo's loose some grip over time, but they still stick reasonably well and are predictible.

Disclaimer: I haven't driven on track on Hoosiers. The above stated Hoosier life comes from seasons of hearing racers talk about their having to buy fresh Hoosiers every other race weekend.

YMMV... Just stating my positive opinion of the experience I've had with Toyos

 

Thats not my point.
My point is the way Toyo *seems* to have have roped in some guaranteed customers via spec tire deals and then jacked up their prices.

A couple of years ago you could get unshaved 205/50/15 Toyos for about $125. Then along came Spec Miata and their exclusive tire deals and suddenly the tires were $140 (no updates, same tire). Now with the addition of other series (like pretty much everything NASA does and others) the exact same tire has crept up to the $150 to $160 mark. Some retailers are apparently fleecing for even more than that when the mid year shortage hits (and its hit for the past 2 years straight).

This is what bothers me. I know the Toyo lasts longer and is a good tire. I'd just prefer, as a consumer, to see Toyo try to lead the market through research, development, and a superior product rather than by signing spec tire deals and then raising the prices on their same old technology.

But maybe thats just me

 

I bought 205/50-15 Toyo's last year for $165. Shaved, mounted and balanced.

This year on 205/60-13, I pay $119 full tread & mounted, and $129 shaved & mounted. Balancing is a few bux more per wheel. Me likey the smaller price for the smaller tire.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bluegsr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Toyos aren't necessarily cheaper per tire than Hoosiers....but their useful life is significantly longer than a Hoosier, which means you don't have to buy new ones as often.

Prices I paid for 205/50/15 fit in with everyone above...

Jarrod</TD></TR></TABLE>


I have driven from San Diego, to Monteray on a set of RA-1's and noticed no loss in tread, ran for a day at Laguna Seca. It rained, and I was still getting faster in the rain. I can't say the same for the guys were were running Hoosiers that day.. then drove home.

I have been sold since that day...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rambler &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">In that size the price is essentially the same for shaved vs. unshaved due to the $15 cost for shaving being offset by the $15 rebate on shaved tires.

Nash</TD></TR></TABLE>

What's this rebate? Is that just for the SM size?

 

damn capitalism...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by travis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

What's this rebate? Is that just for the SM size?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I believe so.... look at the bottom of this page....

http://www.frisbyracetire.com/...c.htm

Nash

 

check out http://www.aimtire.com at Sears Point. (ships anywhere)
they're an authorized Toyo dealer and do a really good job with shaving tires.
the person shaving the tire makes all the difference. just my $.02.

by the way... from the http://www.toyo.com website

All Honda Challenge competitors will receive a rebate directly from Toyo Tires for the following amounts:

13" Toyo Proxes RA1 = $12.00 per tire purchased
14î"or 15" Toyo Proxes RA1 = $15.00 per tire purchased
16" Toyo Proxes RA1 = $18.00 per tire purchased
17" Toyo Proxes RA1 = $21.00 per tire purchased

Competitors must turn in tire purchase receipts (which must indicate the tire size purchased) to the series leader to be eligible. Rebates will be paid out at the end of the year.

Please visit http://www.hondachallenge.com for more information

 

Another rebate is through the Honda-Acura Club. It's $50 on a set of four, so even if you have to pay $35 for membership dues, it's worth it. (I know it says it expired in 1999 on the club website, but the rebate was still in effect as of six months ago.)

I did some RA-1 shopping at that time, and found the following dealers, most of whom have prices on their website; location is shown because it may affect shipping rates:

AIM Tires U.S. CA http://www.aimtire.com 707.938.9193

Appalachian Race Tire U.S. TN http://www.racetire.com/ 865-681-6622

CJ's Tires U.S. PA http://www.cjtire.com/ 610-404-0224

Frisby Performance Tire U.S. IL http://www.frisbyracetire.com 800.798.7201 or 1.847.244.7050

Radial Tire U.S. MD http://www.radialtire.com/ 301-585-2740

Sports Car Tire U.S. DE http://www.sportscartire.com 800-752-TIRE

Vilven Tire U.S. IL 800-251-0017 or 888-77-KUMHO

OnLineTires.com http://www.onlinetires.com 877-465-8473

1010tires.com Canada BC http://www.1010tires.com 888-825-MAGS

Talon Canada QC http://www.talontire.com 514-337-0833

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Another rebate is through the Honda-Acura Club. It's $50 on a set of four</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by honda acura club &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">his special rebate has been extended until December 31, 1999</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">his special rebate has been extended until December 31, 1999</TD></TR></TABLE>

I guess you didn't read the part of my previous post where I said:

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">(I know it says it expired in 1999 on the club website, but the rebate was still in effect as of six months ago.)</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

&lt;-------

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">&lt;------- </TD></TR></TABLE>

We're you going to get banned or something?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris N &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">We're you going to get banned or something? </TD></TR></TABLE>

No, we're going to make .RJ a moderator. Along with you, and Dave-ROR, and euclid, and H-PIMP.

 

Come on Ken! LOL!

You lumped me with euclid and H-PIMP.

I better just retire my account now....