Good grief, the tires

[tomtom72]

Originally Posted by VetteMed

Another satisfied Nitto 555 owner here. Price was right, and performance is great. Oh, and the Goodyear F1 GS D3s are made in Japan, just like the Nittos, if I remember correctly.

Andrew, I would just say that of the 10 D3's I have bought since 12/04 till just two yrs ago all have been made in the USA. The last D3's I bought back in 2010 May were the fronts, before that in like '08 I bought 2 rears, and 8/10 I picked up 2 rears with 05 or 06 date codes on the used market. All of them are made in the USA.

I will admit that I sound like a shill for G/Yr. Just consider this. Have you ever spoken to a 5 or 6 owner that has just used up their stock Run Flats and bought real high performance tires? It's like they just discovered they own a corvette, or maybe better that they actually own a sports car. Lousy tires can make you mad at your corvette. If they make you mad enough you're going to eventually, maybe sooner rather than later, spend more money buying tires that work. I know that sounds severe coming from someone that doesn't even know how to drag race or road race. Trust me on this though. Think back to the first time you had to replace tires that came with one of your cars that even vaguely resembled a touring coupe or sedan. Do you remember taking time to study tire tests? Why did you do that? Then you made your choice and do you remember being surprised at the new found grip & suspension sophistication you hadn't noticed before? You ended up not buying those tires on price. My first set of real tires were for my '72 V6 Capri. They were Pirelli CN36's in VR. I liked them so much I bought a set for my '72 LT-1. I "discovered" the suspension in both cars! Okay, maybe that's just my story, but I kind of doubt it! LOL I don't think I'm alone here on this cognitive process. Yes I winced at the first set of D3's when they were $1198 + and I am wincing at the $1400.00 price tag now!

JMHO. Please don't buy tires for your corvette on price alone as I doubt you'll enjoy the experience.


Tom

[VetteMed]

Originally Posted by tomtom72

Andrew, I would just say that of the 10 D3's I have bought since 12/04 till just two yrs ago all have been made in the USA. The last D3's I bought back in 2010 May were the fronts, before that in like '08 I bought 2 rears, and 8/10 I picked up 2 rears with 05 or 06 date codes on the used market. All of them are made in the USA.

Tom

I had a set of D3s in 275 size on the rear of my IROC, somewhere around 2003-2004, and I could have sworn they were made in Japan. I could very well be mistaken.

Andrew

[Bill]

Thanks to Craig and David, Good information.
Are there any other brands that fit our stock size wheels? What are their contact patch width.

[efnfast]

When I bought my car it had/has Goodyear Eagles - not F1's. Contact patch measures about 11.25"
Steve

[JThomas]

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

How much better are PS2s that Pilot Sports? The regular Michelin Pilot Sports suck and I need to replace them on my 18" CCW wheels. Thanks!

My experience with the Michelin Pilot Sports were on my '03 Corvette. I autocrossed that car, and personally liked that tire better than the OEM Goodyear. JMHO

[John Boothby]

My GY GS D3's are marked "MADE IN USA". Purchased from Discount Tires a couple years ago. Excellent tires!

[cvette98pacecar]

Did a little research for you guys. here is every tire manufacturer in the United States of America. Take a look at the bottom one, that sure surprised me.


BE B.F. Goodrich (Michelin) Tuscaloosa,AL
BF B.F Goodrich (Michelin) Woodburn,IN
AN B.F. Goodrich (Michelin) Opelika,AL
VE/YE/YU/8B Bridgestone/Firestone (Bridgestone) Des Moines,IA
2M/3M Bridgestone/Firestone(Bridgestone) Bloomington,IL
D2/E3/W1/Y7 Bridgestone/Firestone(Bridgestone) Lavergne, TE
2C/4D//5D Bridgestone/Firestone(Bridgestone) Morrison, TE
UP Cooper Finlay,OH
UT Cooper Texarkana,AR
DY Denman, (Penslar Capital) Warren,OH
DA Dunlop (Goodyear) Buffalo N.Y.
JJ/MD/PU Goodyear Gadsden, AL
JN/MJ/PY Goodyear Topeka, KS
JE/MC/PT Goodyear Dansville, VA
JT/MK/TA Goodyear Union City , TN
JP/MP/PL Kelly-Springfield (Goodyear) Tyler, Texas
JF/MM/PJ Kelly-Springfield (Goodyear) Fayetteville, NC
CC Yokahama Tire Salem, VA (Good tire)

[mike100]

Cooper has a plant in Tupelo MS also- so I guess it isn't a complete listing- but perhaps listing all makes that have plants here even if there are facilities omitted.

[tomtom72]

sorry for my semi-rant Fellars! To make up for it, okay I am trying to make up for it! I ran across this so I thought I'd share the link for the Drag Racing people among us.

http://www.corvetteonline.com/

They have some nice articles and I thought this write up could be useful to the drag racers!


Tom

[jimmy b.]

Originally Posted by Dynomite

Two Solutions for ya

1. AFS Wheels http://shop.afswheels.com/VREDESTEIN...A-TIRES_c5.htm

I think AFS Wheels is the same as "Cleanin-out-the-garage" on Ebay

2. Cleanin-out-the-garage....... Lots of information on Vredestein Sessanta tires on Ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/275-40-17-Vr...item5191af83a4

FREE SHIPPING

And...........last but not least a nice smile for ya

Thanks Dynomite for the info, I am leaning towards the Vredesteins.
When I do buy new tires I will have more questions for ya but that will
come later. I got rear shocks and samco hoses coming first...
... and last I see two nice smiles THANKS