What to do about tires...

NDLBox · 07-09-2008, 02:46 PM

So I'm thinking more and more I'm going to get rid of my lemon of an Acura (people joke I have the only unreliable Honda product ever made - I just think it has some sort of a Jaguar complex...) and get an 08 STI. Seems like it's the most practical and affordable high-performance car out there - and Subbies seem to have a reputation for reliability (if not the best paint in the world, but I digress).

Anyway, after reading the thread on tires, since this will be my DD and I live in New England it seems the first thing I have to to do is get some good performance all season tires. I don't want to get snows since I live in a condo with no place to store the summer tires.

I have three questions:

1) Anyone know of a good way to get rid of the stock tires? They must hold some value but I imagine there isn't a huge market around here for them (i.e. I don't think I'd have much luck with Craig's List). The sales person at the dealer said there was nothing they could do about swapping out the tires for me.

2) Any recommendations on a brand / model of performance all seasons? I'm partial to Bridgestone and Michelin, but those were on an SUV and passenger sedan respectively... not quite geared towards performance.

3) I've only had tires installed by The Tire Rack and my Acura dealership (who, surprisingly, was very competitive) so I've never had anyone else change tires... so would you trust your STI to Costco or similar national brand?

AginorGotD · 07-09-2008, 05:06 PM

>>I have three questions:

>>1) Anyone know of a good way to get rid of the stock tires?

Post them on a forum like iwsti.com or nasioc or a local forum like craigslist.

Your only problem is that they are 245/40/18's. Most? of the older STi's run 225/45/17's. So your buying market in an Impreza forum is smaller.

>>2) Any recommendations on a brand / model of performance all seasons? I'm partial to Bridgestone and Michelin, but those were on an SUV and passenger sedan respectively... not quite geared towards performance.

I run the Bridgestone RE960 AS. My wife runs the Bridgestone G019's. Both are excellent tires.

>>3) I've only had tires installed by The Tire Rack and my Acura dealership (who, surprisingly, was very competitive) so I've never had anyone else change tires... so would you trust your STI to Costco or similar national brand?

I've had my tires mounted and balanced by a lot of people. Locals, chains, shops. Never noticed anything amiss.

Phil 05 · 07-09-2008, 07:38 PM

Why don't u run your stock tires in the warmer months and put on an all season perf tire during the winter months. Most tire companies run a special for switching over your tires from summer to winter tires. This will maximize the life of your stockers, which are too valuable to sell at a loss.

NDLBox · 07-09-2008, 07:44 PM

I would just get snows but I have no place to store a set of tires.

**boondocksaint** · 07-10-2008, 04:48 AM

1) Please post tire questions in the tire forum. Thread moved.

2) As was said earlier, your stock size is not the stock size on previous generation Imprezas. That said, a LOT of people go to 18" wheels. List them here, NASIOC, and craigslist. You should sell them quickly if you price them reasonably.

3) I've little experience with all-season passenger car tires. nandanrp runs Continental All-Seasons in the winter and likes them a lot.

NDLBox · 07-10-2008, 07:36 PM

Quote:

3) I've little experience with all-season passenger car tires. nandanrp runs Continental All-Seasons in the winter and likes them a lot.

Thanks. I did a search and there is a lot of good info spread around, but unfortunately most advice is to get a dedicated set of winter tires and keep the stocks for the summer. I can't do that yet because I have no place to store another set of tires (living down town stinks in some ways...).

Consumer reports really liked the Continental ContiExtremeContact All Seasons too, I might go for them. The snow traction, tread life and value ($130 each on Tire Rack) are awesome, too bad the dry traction is only mediocre. Oh well, I'm commuting in the NYC suburbs I've destroyed two tires and suffered one bent rim in the last 5 years... not the best environment for expensive sticky tires anyway.

Anyone else have experience with running a UHP All Seasons year-round in the North East?

07-09-2008, 02:46 PM	#1
NDLBox Junior STI Driver Car: 08 DGM STI Fav Mod: 755 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 76 Join Date: Jul 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	What to do about tires... So I'm thinking more and more I'm going to get rid of my lemon of an Acura (people joke I have the only unreliable Honda product ever made - I just think it has some sort of a Jaguar complex...) and get an 08 STI. Seems like it's the most practical and affordable high-performance car out there - and Subbies seem to have a reputation for reliability (if not the best paint in the world, but I digress). Anyway, after reading the thread on tires, since this will be my DD and I live in New England it seems the first thing I have to to do is get some good performance all season tires. I don't want to get snows since I live in a condo with no place to store the summer tires. I have three questions: 1) Anyone know of a good way to get rid of the stock tires? They must hold some value but I imagine there isn't a huge market around here for them (i.e. I don't think I'd have much luck with Craig's List). The sales person at the dealer said there was nothing they could do about swapping out the tires for me. 2) Any recommendations on a brand / model of performance all seasons? I'm partial to Bridgestone and Michelin, but those were on an SUV and passenger sedan respectively... not quite geared towards performance. 3) I've only had tires installed by The Tire Rack and my Acura dealership (who, surprisingly, was very competitive) so I've never had anyone else change tires... so would you trust your STI to Costco or similar national brand? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

07-09-2008, 05:06 PM	#2
AginorGotD Junior STI Driver Car: UGM STi Limited #352 Fav Mod: Actually, it's the tint, I hate glare Location: 39°4'19"N, 76°59'28"W Posts: 107 Join Date: Mar 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: What to do about tires... >>I have three questions: >>1) Anyone know of a good way to get rid of the stock tires? Post them on a forum like iwsti.com or nasioc or a local forum like craigslist. Your only problem is that they are 245/40/18's. Most? of the older STi's run 225/45/17's. So your buying market in an Impreza forum is smaller. >>2) Any recommendations on a brand / model of performance all seasons? I'm partial to Bridgestone and Michelin, but those were on an SUV and passenger sedan respectively... not quite geared towards performance. I run the Bridgestone RE960 AS. My wife runs the Bridgestone G019's. Both are excellent tires. >>3) I've only had tires installed by The Tire Rack and my Acura dealership (who, surprisingly, was very competitive) so I've never had anyone else change tires... so would you trust your STI to Costco or similar national brand? I've had my tires mounted and balanced by a lot of people. Locals, chains, shops. Never noticed anything amiss.

07-09-2008, 07:38 PM	#3
Phil 05 STI Driver Car: Silver 05 WRX STi Fav Mod: POWER Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 211 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: What to do about tires... Why don't u run your stock tires in the warmer months and put on an all season perf tire during the winter months. Most tire companies run a special for switching over your tires from summer to winter tires. This will maximize the life of your stockers, which are too valuable to sell at a loss.

07-09-2008, 07:44 PM	#4
NDLBox Junior STI Driver Car: 08 DGM STI Fav Mod: 755 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 76 Join Date: Jul 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: What to do about tires... I would just get snows but I have no place to store a set of tires.

07-10-2008, 04:48 AM	#5
boondocksaint Reasonable Car: Boony's Motown STi Fav Mod: correct grammar Location: D3TR01T Posts: 22,580 Join Date: Jun 2006 Trader Rating: (5)	Re: What to do about tires... 1) Please post tire questions in the tire forum. Thread moved. 2) As was said earlier, your stock size is not the stock size on previous generation Imprezas. That said, a LOT of people go to 18" wheels. List them here, NASIOC, and craigslist. You should sell them quickly if you price them reasonably. 3) I've little experience with all-season passenger car tires. nandanrp runs Continental All-Seasons in the winter and likes them a lot.