Needing new tires

[bhermes]

Went to drive my 76 280 today and found one of the tires flat. My tires have good tread however the one tire had signs of dry rought and eventually started leaking. I am debating over just getting one tire for now or getting 4 new tires.

If I get new tires does anyone have a suggestion. I plan on getting new rims down the road and would like to have nice looking tires as well. Just thought I would check in before spending money and wish I would have done something different.

I am getting the car repainted in about 1 month and the car will be about 90% restored. A few things left inside but mostly good.

Thanks

[bhermes]

I currently have Widetrack radials P195/70R14's.

[bhermes]

Anyone know if you can still get the Widetrack tires?

[John Coffey]

If they were all purchased at the same time, you need to buy all 4. Great tire and I suggest changing your size to a 195/60-14.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Exalto+A%2FS&partnum=96HR4EXAS&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

[SteveJ]

If you go with 195/60R14s, you could get these or these from Tire Rack.

Your speedometer would be off a little, but IMHO that's a small tradeoff.

[bhermes]

Great guys. I am a little confused but learning about cars quickly. Redid all of the brakes, rewired with updated internally regulated alternator, new horns and horn relay hookup among others and now tires.

John, I went to the link and did not see anything about wide track. Is this a style of tire that several people make or just pertaining to a certain brand.

Just a little education please.

[SteveJ]

I don't recall ever hearing of "widetrack" or "wide track" pertaining to tires. Is there a particular reason you're hung up on this term? The only tires I can find using widetrack on Google are off-road tires. The chances are that your current tires are 8 to 10 years old. Given that, tire manufactures can and will change their product offerings. John and I gave you three options from Tire Rack. Certainly one of those could work for you.

If you don't like those, try here.

[bhermes]

Sorry Steve missed the links in your msg. I am sure one of the three will be fine. I plan on driving the car most of the year except in extreme weather conditions, heavy rain or snow or cold temps below 25F. I am leaning toward the BF Goodrich g-Force Super Sport A/S (195/60-14) unless anyone disagrees with the selection.

Thanks for the direction.

[Walter Moore]

You may want to follow those links, and click on the "Surveys" and "Test" tabs before you make up your mind. The BF-Goodrich tire wasn't track tested at all by the Tire Rack crew, and both the Michelin and the Dunlop finished third in their respective tests. Michelin is known for making tires that have great "Ride Quality" and long tread life, but they rarely make the stickiest tires in their class.

BF Goodrich is owned by Michelin. Both they and Dunlop (who is owned by Goodyear) make second tier tires. That is fine, as long as you understand that they are "high value" tires. They will work well for most purposes, but may not have the traction, handling, ride quality, or tread wear of a first tier tire.

[bhermes]

Walter thanks for the input. Do you have a recommendation. I would like to have a good tire not overly concerned about wear (car will only get about 5k/year) but would like a good handling tire for most purposes and also a little bit of a tire for racing (amature at best).

[Walter Moore]

Oops! You are running 14" wheels... That profoundly limits the availability of really good tires.

You may be limited to the tires listed above. You ought to go the the Tire Rack web site, and do some digging yourself just so that you can see what is available. I have to go somewhere right now, but I will check back later.

[Stanley]

my z blew out an Enterprise (don't get those) 2 weeks ago on the I-10. After checking the reviews got a set of Falken ZE-912's for about $412 out the door at America's. They're 195/65/14's. They're sticky, no more 2-wheel drift on that s-curve on ramp. Now I want to autocross for some reason. Car sits about 3/8" lower - noticeable first time. Speedo's optimistic - there's a calculator link in these forums. Gas milage probably worse, 0-60 and 1/4 mile et's probably better, top end probably worse unless your cam comes on at top end but I've never gone over 110 anyway. I like em. Maybe no good if you drive a lot - some report problems after 10 thou...