Back to summer tires! So Happy!!!

[6262MS3]

On sunday I finally got to put my stock rims/tires on, oh man how I've missed sharp steering response and cornering grip! I had 205/16 winter kumho's and while they gripped reasonably well in the dry and amazingly well on snow/ice there's just no comparison to a wider summer tire with way less sidewall. I've forgotten how well this thing turns in (especially for a fwd) and how much grip it has, I forget I'm in a practical hatchback. I'm taking a road trip to the west coast at the end of the week (first big trip in this car) and can't wait! The only downer is the oem bridgestone's are louder than my winter tires, I'm used to it being the other way around. Road noise + underpowered bose ftl.

 

[VermZ06]

On sunday I finally got to put my stock rims/tires on, oh man how I've missed sharp steering response and cornering grip! I had 205/16 winter kumho's and while they gripped reasonably well in the dry and amazingly well on snow/ice there's just no comparison to a wider summer tire with way less sidewall. I've forgotten how well this thing turns in (especially for a fwd) and how much grip it has, I forget I'm in a practical hatchback. I'm taking a road trip to the west coast at the end of the week (first big trip in this car) and can't wait! The only downer is the oem bridgestone's are louder than my winter tires, I'm used to it being the other way around. Road noise + underpowered bose ftl.

Just put my summers back on as well sunday. The ride is noticeably much better and the car handles better since there's more rubber surface making contact with the road than the all season falken's i had for the winter. I doubt I'll get more than another 10K miles out of the stock bridgestone's, but i'll be using them until there's not much tread left...they are a pretty good summer tire. Tread wear just stinks though.

 

[6262MS3]

Yeah, I expect this summer to be the last for my bridgestones, but hopefully I'll be able to afford some rx-8 rims and wider, longer-lasting rubber for next year.

 

[Mid_Life_Crisis]

I've got a brand new set of 415s waiting to go on, but the factory rims aren't wide enough to do them justice. She-who-keeps-the-budget says wider rims should be orderable after the 15th. I am frothing at the mouth in anticipation.