Miata Mailing List: April 1996, Message #193
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   From: RacerZack@aol.com
Subject: Question on rubbers....er, I mean tires! :-)
   Date: Tue, 2 Apr 1996 19:58:36 -0500

(sorry...I couldn't resist the pun)

Anyway, after several spirited novice attempts at autocrossing, my OEM Dunlop
tires are getting heavily worn. So,  I need to get new tires real
soon...

Right now, I can't afford to buy street AND autocross tires, so I have to
compromise and get a set of high performance street tires on the stock 14"
rims. But, I don't know what to get. I am hoping people here on the list can
give me advice on what to do.

>From what Miata Magazine says, the best high performance tires are either the
Dunlop SP 8000 or the Yokohama Intermediate A509. Are there any advantages of
one over the other? I have to consider not just autocrossing, but also daily
street driving and comfort.

Also, what size should I get? I think my stock Dunlops are 185/60HR-14. At
autocrosses, I have seen people using BFG R1's on the stock rims in the
205/50 size. If I can find a street tire in the 205/50 size, should I get it?
I think Tire Rack sells the Yokohama tire in the 205/50 (or is it 205/55?)
size. What size and type of tire does the "R" package come with?

So, in short: HELP! I'M COMPLETELY LOST! I not only am not sure *what* to
consider to buy, but I also don't know what effect a different tire size will
have on my car. I want to enhance performance (cornering) without damaging
acceleration yet maintaining a good (or getting a better) ride. I know that
when I had to get tires for my old Cougar, going up one size (from 195 to
205) made the car corner better but didn't hurt acceleration -- but, going up
one additional size (to 215) made the car sluggish and look like it was
driving on big black donuts.

Thanks in advance!

Happy Motoring!                             -Zack

|\  Kerim Zackariah Broadbent               #176 CS/SK
| \  RacerZack@aol.com                      Cal Club &
|  \  red '94 Miata, "Enzo, Jr."            San Diego
|___\  PLAY CAR in Fullerton, CA
 1904