Tire Advice

[TrevDog]

I have the stock rims on my 2000 Solara and the tread is really getting bald on my summer tires. I don't really want to upgrade to some nicer 17in or 18in rims but I still want them to look cool. So what tires should I buy that would make them look really cool without going with bigger rims?
thanks,
Trev

[HKSV6SLE]

uh....your talking bout just getting new tires not thr wheel itself right? cuz if that's the case than anything would be fine..i think the stock tires suck and cost too much and there are cheaper replacements that are just as good or better..

[impactX]

I think 205-55-16 looks better than the 60 aspect. It wouldn't throw the speedo/odometer off and you have a lot more choices.

If you want some hardcore dry tires that can almost match the grip of R compound, get the Falken Azenis. If you want good tread wear rating for summer tire, a good ride (due to softer side wall) and extremely well wet + puddle traction (agressive tread pattern), get the Toyo T1-S.

[flybigjet]

215-55-16 look about as good as you're going to get on a 16" wheel- that's what I had before I upgraded to 17's and really liked the look. They're also just about the same as oem and TRD's 17" recommendation, so your speedo will be fine.

Go here to get some sort of idea of what the different sizes will look like on your wheel:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Of the tires I had (OEM, Michelin, and Nitto), I'd really recommend the Nitto NT-450's. Excellent performance at a very good price. Wore *much* better than the Michelin's.

One other consideration might be the Sumitomo's HTRZ-II's (if they come in a 16). That's what I have on my 17's and have been very pleased. R.

[Mole]

try bridgestone pole position s-03...

those are my next set... expensive, but highly recommended.

[HKSV6SLE]

i always wanted those tires the bridgestone potenza S03' pole postion's....but i know they cost an arm and a leg each but hey..if you want one of the best tires out there..then...

[nmatthis]

I have a 99 Solara V6 with the stock 16" wheels. The first set of replacement tires were Toyo Proxes FZ4 215/55-16s. The second set of tires, which I still have, are Bridgestone Potenza RE730 225/55-16. Yep, 225's on stock 16x6 wheels. No rubbing at all and I have the TRD Bilstein struts and TRD springs. I really like the 225 size on these wheels, though this is the absolute widest I'd go. And I really like the RE730's. They grip like you can't believe even in the rain. The only problem is that they're a little loud, but that's the only complaint.