The tires on the car that we recently purchased are dry-rotting a bit -- they sat a bit too long in the garage, I think -- and I'd like to get them replaced.

Money is an issue -- so I can't go super-high-end or try to duplicate some original from Year One or anything.

We also don't do any racing. We'd just like a nice, driving tire that I can get from a local tire place, if possible -- that will also survive if I happen to spin them a bit now and then (more from me still learning to drive a 4-speed as opposed to doing it on purpose most of the time!)

In any case, the wheel on our SS is labeled "1 13 LZ" (not the "AO" that they should be, but I'm told they are basically the same wheel as far as tires go). Currently, there are "P215/70SR14" tires on the car: "Road Hugger Radial G/T" in front and "Formula GT" in the rear.

A local shop recommended some Cooper Cobra 215/70R14 tires. But, searching the Net a bit for comments, I see that most people aren't overly happy with them (although some seem to think they are fine if you aren't racing). The local place would put the four of these on and balance them for $275.

Anyone have any opinions on this? Recommend anything better around that price range (or near, at least)?

Thanks much!

- John...

$275 for 4 Cooper Cobras mounted/balanced isn't a bad deal IMHO and experience.I personally like a 225/70 on 14" rims myself,but thats just personal preference.And,Coopers are fine tires too BTW
There are 225/70's on my car in this pic: http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/mr4speed/Picture027.jpg

I just put a set of Goodrich T/As on my 66 elcamino. Had wallmart order them $68.00 each
225-60-14.=$272.00+tax.

Ok -- so the 215/225 is the width of the tire, correct?

Any big difference in driving or anything that I should know about? I mean, I really don't have a preference personally -- it just happened to have those 215s on there when I got it. Should I just have them put the Cooper Cobra P225/70R14 tires on there instead of the P215? Probably about the same price and such...

I have an appointment with the tire place tomorrow at lunch... So, I just need to decide by then. I told them P215/70R14s today -- but I'm sure I could adjust that if needed.

- John...

225/70/14's are more close to the original tire for your car. I wanted a bigger tire and went with 245/60/14's in BFG/TA's. I like the way they look and handle.

Just a quick scan on Tirerack.com, I found...

BFG TA's for $64 ea.
Dunlop GT Qualifier, $54 ea.
Firestone Firehawk, $57 ea.

All are 225/70R-14 with RWL.

After reading some reviews and other info at TireRack.com, I think I'm going to go with the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires. They seem to have good ratings -- and I hear good things about them in the newsgroups -- and the price is decent... And the local place that I was planning to use actually has them in stock (unlike the other 4 local places that I called to check prices against). So, I can keep my appointment time tomorrow this way -- and just have them put the Indy 500s (P225/70R14) on instead of the Coopers...

graemlins/thumbsup.gif

- John...

Hey John
Myself, I would go with the BFGoodrich Radial T/A. Good all around ratings and they look good too. Just my thoughts.

Nathaniel

The BFG Radial T/A's seem decent, but when I do a side-by-side comparison between those, the Dunlop QT Qualifier T's, and the Firestone Firehawk Indy's, the Indy 500s come out ahead in every category (of customer survey data) at tirerack.com. They also come with a higher tread rating -- and a treadlife warranty (although, I'm not really counting that as much).

The Indy 500s seem to get better user reviews there also -- although it is obvious that more people are buying/using the BFG Radial T/A's...

So, I kinda just have to pick one -- and I'm thinking the Firehawks are a good choice. Although, I'm sure the BFGs would be fine too... 6 of one / half-dozen of another...

- John...

You'll like the Firehawks and the 225/70's on your ride graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Doh! I should have double-checked this before I started, of course...

I just noticed that it currently has P245/60R14 tires on the rear -- and the P215/70R14 tires just on the front.

Should I stick with something like that? Or should I go P225/70R14 all around??

My appointment is around noon, so I need to decide by then. :D

- John...

I would stay with the same size all around. The car won't slant down in the front if it's doing it now, but that's a personal thing.

John,IMHO and experience,stick with the 225/70's all the way around,plus you can rotate them if the back tires start get a little premature "wear"
:D ;)

Just got the Firehawks put on! Went P225/70R14 all around. Seem fine so far -- I'm happy with the decision.

Thanks for all the help, people!

- John...

graemlins/thumbsup.gif