scoobslayer

iTrader: (2)

Just bought the above car which is fantastic but needs new rubber. Which of the above is best - currently has Toyos on but last owner wasn't too keen on the fact they seem to let go without warning in dry or wet. I haven't pushed that hard yet - just getting used to the 360+ bhp it churns out. Your thoughts appreciated especially JDM STI owners.

clayman

Wich model of toyos do you have?

I owned a set of toyos proxes and they were simply amazing on wet or dry.

Now I have a new set of pirelli pzero nero but don't have an opinion yet.

cheers

apac

iTrader: (2)

mine is 53 plate Spec C. I have vredestein ultrac sessanta for road use. They are good hard wearing tyres and give confidence especially in the wet. Avoid the toyo T1R's they are just budget tyres.

The 2005 JDM STI came with Bridgestone potenza RE070, espeically made to fit this car.
so some people will swear by these. They have a very stiff side wall and may not be the best over the winter. I was initally put off when trying them on the track as they took a long time to heat up and then cooled down quick, so on the roiad they would be a bit 'all or nothing imo. I would however like to give them another go. I do miss Toyo R888 (medium compound) but they are pricey. if you can aford them they are fantastic road legal semi slick tyres.

MrNoisy

iTrader: (28)

I'd say none of the above - would recommend Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas instead - terrific in wet and dry, I dumped Goodyear in favour of these (good in the dry, terrible in the wet) and am now on my second set - car feels so much more sure footed with them.
Toyos are supposed to be good, but don't behave so consistently towards the end of their life. Vreddies are just as cheap, but better.

R888's are supposed to be just a tad lairy in the wet!

Can't comment on Bridgestones as they're just beyond what I'm willing to pay!

scoobslayer

iTrader: (2)

Thanks all - I will check which Toyos I've got on now tomorrow in the daylight keep the replies coming please

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

888's are soon to be illegal to use on the roads (along with alot of semi slick track tyres), if you want to spend decent cash then Michelin PS3's are the way ahead I personally love the RE070's, great tyre, not so great in the snow (I dont even go out in the snow on these lol) so a second set is advisable (winter tyres, even replace your summer ones with these in colder conditions).
The sessanta's get good reviews, and are well priced, forget the toyo's, not even in the same league as the others tbh, and the goodyears... with PS3's out there, there is no point fitting goodyears

Tony

Gregsti01

iTrader: (1)

I run Bridgestones on my STI Wagon I recon they are very good,feels planted wet or dry

scoobslayer

iTrader: (2)

They are Toyo T1R's and i must say the dry grip seems to be very good, havent tried them in the wet yet. The previous owner used them on a track day and consequently there is very little tread on the outer edges of all the tyres front and rear. He reckoned the side wall is too prone to rolling over when under severe load but wouldn't this happen with any tyre or might some perform better than others?

scoobslayer

iTrader: (2)

Clayman - I notice your location is Madeira - I was in Pestana Village a couple of weeks ago and spent many happy hours in Funchal, Prince Albert Pub, Casino etc do you live there? I bet the mountains are a superb drive! I love Madeira, and have been there about 6 times now - a fantastic place to live.

clayman

Hi there,
Yes, I live here. Sure, a nice place to live or for a good vacations.

Oh yeah the roads by the mountains are simply awesome to pass by with the impreza, really nice corners to take the car to the limit.
In next year, I will try to do an postgraduate in the uk.

When you pass here again you could say something maybe we could take some beers

cheers

Wagon wheel eater

I have used the bridgestone potenza on the track and they gripped very well, the Toyo T1r's seem to be a different league though, they both slip when pushed hard in the wet even though people say the t1rs are amazing wet?. With the bridgestones I found the rears spun up under hard power cornering, with the toyo, its more often the front, I cant seem make the back spin up at all ... It must be the entry speed confidence that the toyos give you... I guess thats good but I like having a bit of rear sliding fun occassionally... Its still very predictable and I have to try very very hard (silly speeds) to leg go whilst cornering+ roundabout etc.
My track mates mostly have toyo 888 and they stick like glue, a very noticeable higher level of grip in the dry at least ... only my personally opinion and I'm not running that high bhp.. although lowered and stiffened (as is the car)

urban

iTrader: (1)

I had Toyo's on an 02STI - I thought they were completly shyte to be brutally honest.
RE070's are great tyres, albeit a bit noisy.
They're how shall I say "challenging" in damp conditions, but absolutely fantastic in the dry
I've tried many different tyres over my last 10 years of driving Subaru's and my last set were Sessanta's and I thought they were great and very reasonably priced too.
I did try Michelin PS2's once, but they didn't even last 5000 miles

scoobslayer

iTrader: (2)

Thanks again for all your comments - it looks as though i should give the Sessantas a go - no bad words said about these only praise and they look to be the right price - i will let you know how i get on when i get sorted.

MrNoisy

iTrader: (28)

Good choice mate - I am now running them on all 4 corners and they are nothing short of BRILLIANT. Much superior to Goodyears and IMHO best tyre you can get for this sort of money. Hope you think the same

Steve1956

iTrader: (1)

Having used most of the top brands over the past 15 years I would agree that the Sessantas are an exceptional performance tyre and you would be hard pressed to find its equal. However, from a price angle have you considered Kumho KU31 Ecsta Sports? I had a set of these fitted on recommendation in April this year and after 10 launches at the Pod and 3500 road miles they still look and perform like new! Great in wet or dry. The best bit - only £50 a corner, fitted!

cster

Stolen?

scoobslayer

iTrader: (2)

Well, I have now got a new set of sessantas on and first impressions are quite good. only done a few miles (100 ish) and no wet miles yet but they ride very nicely. They do seem to roll under pressure and yesterday when coming off an island with gusto the back end did seem to try to swing out but it didn't and was not scary in any way just perhaps will take a bit of getting used to. I'm not sure what pressures i'm running i will check them at the weekend and report back. Got them off eBay £79.90 per corner free postage - Elite Tyres and my local tyre place charged me £10 per corner to fit so a complete bargain! I will report on the progress when i have done more miles and scrubbed them in but first impressions are positive and they feel a lot more grippy than the tired Toyos which came off.

MrNoisy

iTrader: (28)

Glad to hear you're enjoying them mate.
Re the rear out action, I'd suggest not accelerating too hard into a corner and then backing off on the gas - most Scoobs get tail happy in those situations regardless of your tyre choice. From what I understand, if you get your entry speed right you shouldn't end up with the back trying to overtake the front