Tire Recommendation

[Anita]

You guys!!

I appreciate you all - thank you. Now that I have a recommendation for almost every 18" tire possible for the VX, the hard decision making begins...

[TechnoPope]

One more...

I am most happy with the Kumho Ecsta STX. They have a secure feel and excellent grip, even in rain. I have not had a problem hydroplaning in spite of their width. I have heard that they do not last as long as other brands but mine are holding up well. Stay out of the mountains as they provide no traction in snow.

Our other VX is fitted with Yokohama Geolander H/T-S GO52 and I have posted my review elsewhere on these forums. They look great and perform very good, but are a bit of a compromise in handling to get good snow traction.

[crager34]

If it helps... and even though I do hit snow from time to time... My feeling is the amount of "winter" driving is minimal, compared to dry or simply wet roads. Therefore, I have narrowed my choice to the Khumo's or the Hankook's listed. Good ratings by Consumer reports, good warranties....good reports here... all around GOOD. What will make either choice better is how they are maintained (rotated, aired up...etc).

[mbeach]

The Yokohama AVSs are my current street/summer tire favorite.

MrTews drove on them for 2 years, drove them from Arizona to Michigan. He gave them to me, and I rode on them for a few months before driving the Alcan to Alaska (much high speed gravel and tight corners). I took them across the Denali Highway (all gravel and fist-sized boulders) and up to the the foot of the Gulkhana glacier (big, wet granite rock).
They performed flawlessly on all the terrain that I encountered, even providing decent flotation in some very loose pea-gravel found in a gravel pit.

My only complaint was the tendency to wander into ruts in poor roads. I think that a wider wheel (than stock) would cut down on this. I finally retired them a month ago, deciding to switch to some Nokian Hakkapellita SUV studs for winter.

My next set of summer tires will most definately be the AVSs again, though maybe in a 16 or 17" size.

[crager34]

Because Anita might be interested in this. Has anyone tried and liked tires sizes around 306/60/17?

I am looking to widen the stance and get a bit more height from my 255/60/17's and the Miata Tire Size Calc shows nice change.

(nope...I haven't picked my new tires yet)

[Anita]

Yes it is a hijack, but I was taught to share....

No lifting for me. I would like a size that fits the wheelwell better, give the VX a wider stance but nothing too aggressive looking. Though I have dipped my toes in the Moab waters several times, I am just a city girl.

Thank you for those who have pictures. The visual helps...

[Anita]

After much hand-wringing this is the tire I finally decided on: Nittos NT420S
Nittos have such a good reputation. I considered grapplers but the style was a little too aggressive a look for me. I like this - good price too.

[newthings]

Hi Anita from Oregon,
So my old Bridgestones gave out. I hope they served you well.
What size did you end up with on the Nittos?
Roy

[BigDave]

Hi from DownUnder

I use Hankook RF08s and have found them very good. Good in the wet and OK in snow (I'm a skier) mileage appears good too. Mine have 18k (kms) and are looking good.

Cheers.....

[chucklee]

I just purchased Yokohama Geolander HTS G052, BUT in 265/60/18 which fit fine. Compared to the stock bridgestone, these have dramatically less tire noise, fill out the front wheel well, the back look like they could use a larger size, but since it is four wheel drive, know not to do that. Anyways I think it is a good size for people who do not want to go 285/60/18 and cut the clading.

The down side, braking is worse than the bridgestone. And don't know how it will do in the snow or rain, yet, but the reviews on tirerack seem good. Well, they did say braking was good too.

[totallto]

I kinda like the VENTURE MT, but I don't know if it will fit on my 18in wheels.
Do any of you guys know?

[jimbo]

Nitto Terra Grappler 285/60 R18 for me. I've had them a couple months now, and they have been awesome. These are the tires the VX should have come with. The weird thing is when I first got them the TOD would kick in on hard acceleration. But not anymore. Does this thing "learn"?