Daniel Jones
Registered User
I'm looking for high performance tires in the stock 225/60/R16 size for a couple of vehicles (1989 Thunderbird SC and a 2003 Mercury Marquis with Marauder suspension). I'm currently running Sumitomo HTR Z II tires which were listed as ultra high performance summer tires. I'd prefer a tire optimized for summer as I run Nokian snow tires in the winter and the cars only see a few thousand miles per year. It appears the other high performance summer tires like the Nitto NT860 are also no longer available. I contacted the Tire Rack and they recommended Firestone Firehawk AS (480 AA tread wear rating) or Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season (560 AA) but those don't have particularly good ratings. There is also the Goodyear RS-A High Performance All-Season (apparently available in 260 or 340 tread wear ratings) but have an even poorer rating.
If I have to go with an all season, the Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 appear to have a pretty good rating. There are also some tires from brands I'd never heard of before, presumably Chinese but I also came across one from Indonesia called the Forceum Octa that carries a W speed rating. They are cheap at $53.48 from Walmart. The only review I found was:
"I put these on my 04 Mercury Grand Marquis on 17" steelies. I am a retired police officer and pursuit driving instructor and drove a Crown Vic for the better part of 20 years. I know how to push a car to it's limits and get more out of it than 95% of drivers on the road. With these tires, this car handles like it's on rails. These tires are superb at holding corners and not sqealing, which is something that annoys the hell out of me. I've pushed them pretty hard in the rain as well as dry and have yet to have them feel like they're going to break out and slide. I've had them on for about 5000 miles now and no sign of premature wear. At this price I can get a new set every year and still be ahead. Do yourself a favor, if you wanna have a badass stance on your P71 or CV clone, get these tires and hit some curves. You'll be grinning from ear to ear."
I'll likely spring for a different rim size on the Marquis to get a better selection of tires but would like to stick with the OEM wheels on the Thunderbird SC. Looks like the safe bet are the Sumitomos but given the low cost, I'm tempted to take a chance on the Forceums.
Any input appreciated.
Thanks,
Dan Jones
If I have to go with an all season, the Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 appear to have a pretty good rating. There are also some tires from brands I'd never heard of before, presumably Chinese but I also came across one from Indonesia called the Forceum Octa that carries a W speed rating. They are cheap at $53.48 from Walmart. The only review I found was:
"I put these on my 04 Mercury Grand Marquis on 17" steelies. I am a retired police officer and pursuit driving instructor and drove a Crown Vic for the better part of 20 years. I know how to push a car to it's limits and get more out of it than 95% of drivers on the road. With these tires, this car handles like it's on rails. These tires are superb at holding corners and not sqealing, which is something that annoys the hell out of me. I've pushed them pretty hard in the rain as well as dry and have yet to have them feel like they're going to break out and slide. I've had them on for about 5000 miles now and no sign of premature wear. At this price I can get a new set every year and still be ahead. Do yourself a favor, if you wanna have a badass stance on your P71 or CV clone, get these tires and hit some curves. You'll be grinning from ear to ear."
I'll likely spring for a different rim size on the Marquis to get a better selection of tires but would like to stick with the OEM wheels on the Thunderbird SC. Looks like the safe bet are the Sumitomos but given the low cost, I'm tempted to take a chance on the Forceums.
Any input appreciated.
Thanks,
Dan Jones