Hey everyone,

Well, I have my mind set on a new set of tires for my 2002 SSEi.

I Really like the Good Year Eagle GT, or Good Year Eagle F1 tires...

Now, the problem....

I just bought this car (the second one, lol) and the owner had new Good Year Assurance Triple Tread tires put on the car.

The Triple Tread is a great tire, but it is a passenger tire and not a performance tire. The GT and F1 are made to give the illusion of a much lower profile tire - which is what I like...

I went into Sears and talked with the tire guy and he told me that the Assurance Triple Tread is a MUCH smoother riding tire and if I changed to the GT or F1, the ride would be MUCH harder and might NOT be the right tire for my suspension...

So, I guess it'* the age old question.... style over substance....?

Any input would be great!

Thanks as always!

Performance and lower profile tires do have a bit more roughness in their ride. This is due to mainly to thicker sidewalls for better cornering and the lower profile provides less sidewall for give over bumps. It'* a matter of personal preference for you and what you want As far as a tire not being designed for a suspension..that is true when the tire and suspension are matched for a specific ride style. Remember the SSEi was designed as a luxury car with attitude and the ride was intended to be smoother and geared for an older driver.

Wheel size will also effect the ride. Are you staying with the stock size wheel and tire? My winter tires are 225/60/16 and my summer tires are 245/45/17. The summer tires are a rougher ride. But the winter tires seem sloppy. I went with FirehawkGT tires. Great grip, but they are a summer tire only.

Firehawk GT nice tire!

Yeah, I like keeping them the stock size - that way dont have to worry about speedometer, etc...

I just like the look of the Eagle GT and F1, Good Year does this "trick" with the sidewalls that makes them look shorter than they actually are with these two tires...

Just wonder what the ride difference would be....

Did you get the tires yet? The two tires I have really been looking into for my car are General Altimax HP tires and Cooper CS4 tires. Keep in mind this is grand touring tires for 16" wheels, though. The Altimax'* are very, very highly rated on tirerack.com (second in class) and the reviews of them are all very positive. Same with the General Exclaim UHP if you are looking for higher performance tire.

I loved the Altimax HP because thay not only have really good performance, but thay are a 55,000 mile tire so your not having the change them every time you run to the grocery store. They have great grip even in the rain, and are very hydroplain resistant. I have had two sets of them on two differant cars and they performed well. I don't have a set on the Bonne yet, but if I keep the car long enough there will be a set. I'm fortunant enought to live only 35 minutes from a Tire Rack warehouse so I can order them and go pick them up to save shipping cost.

Here is my opinion. Go with the performance tire. You already have a good passenger tire on it and you want something more. Sure the ride might be a little more harsh but I think this is something that you will be able to overcome every time you see how GOOD your car looks and performs. Now your only problem GT or F1.
My Wife is rolling 285 tires (33" tall) on the stock allow wheels on her 4 Runner. Every time we get it rotated they write down in their little notes, "Tires too big for wheels". That'* right and that'* what we wanted. Problem solved.
Now get out there and get some performance tires and make sure you post a picture so we can see how good your ride looks.
Mike

i have pirelles 235-55-17 p zero neros handel excelnt not bad in the rain eiter littel pricese but look good.

Right now I have Nitto 245/45/r17 drag radials on the front. These really change how the car handles. Every little rut in the road will pull you to one side or the other.

There'* "steering" tires and "traction" tires, your particular choice for a FWD is both foolish and "dangerous"!!

Passenger car tires and most performance tires are a combination engineered for both and accomplish it safetly.

*****I just read the thread again and I see where your present choice might be "not the everyday" choice for you but I'll stick with "foolish & dangerous"!!