Summer vs All season tires?

[2string1]

The sales guy at Tire Rack is telling me that summer tires ride harder and not as comfortable as All Seasons. Is this true?

[OptionZero]

i heard summer tires blow up if you drive them cold

[viiv]

Originally Posted by OptionZero

i heard summer tires blow up if you drive them cold

More like the car blows up when you fly off the road in freezing temperatures.

[Spooler]

It depends on the tire.

[SouthArk370Z]

Originally Posted by 2string1

The sales guy at Tire Rack is telling me that summer tires ride harder and not as comfortable as All Seasons. Is this true?

That's a pretty good rule-of-thumb, but ...

Originally Posted by Spooler

It depends on the tire.

Tire technology has advanced enough that some Summer-only tires can give a decent ride. But you'll trade a little traction for comfort.

Unless you plan on changing tires with the seasons or only drive during the Summer, I'd eschew the Summer-only tires. YMMV

[2string1]

I'm only asking for a good riding tire for my Z. I love my car and the compliments I get. I'm not looking to trade it for something different. I enjoy the ease of the AT and use the paddle shifters when I'm feeling frisky. I have the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's on her right now. I am considering putting on BC coilovers and adjusting them on the softer side in hopes to make the ride a little less harsh.

[Red Voodoo]

Originally Posted by 2string1

I'm only asking for a good riding tire for my Z. I love my car and the compliments I get. I'm not looking to trade it for something different. I enjoy the ease of the AT and use the paddle shifters when I'm feeling frisky. I have the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's on her right now. I am considering putting on BC coilovers and adjusting them on the softer side in hopes to make the ride a little less harsh.

You and I are in the same boat when it comes to our Z's. Our priorities are a little different than some others here. In my opinion, your choice to go with the coilovers will be the best "bang-for-your-buck" option that will allow you the most flexibility for ride height and comfort. I recently scored a great deal on Koni adjustable dampers to go with my Swift springs (which I am overall impressed with), so I went that route instead of starting over with a coilover set-up. Getting your suspension dialed in with as many adjustable suspension parts that you can afford will only aid in finding that sweet spot between driveability and comfort.

The tires that you choose play a huge part in that equation. I'm having to purchase new shoes for my Z since the Bridgestones are several years old now. I initially considered going with an all-season tire since I'm moving to an area back East that experiences light snow in the winter. I will probably instead go with an affordable UHP summer tire like the Firehawk Indy 500. Based on my own research, it seems to be a good all-around tire, even in cold weather. They likely don't do well even with a smidgen of ice and snow on the pavement, but I now have an incentive to buy something AWD before next winter.

That's my $.02 worth, since I had failed to provide anything of value to this discussion beforehand.

[2string1]

Originally Posted by Red Voodoo

You and I are in the same boat when it comes to our Z's. Our priorities are a little different than some others here. In my opinion, your choice to go with the coilovers will be the best "bang-for-your-buck" option that will allow you the most flexibility for ride height and comfort. I recently scored a great deal on Koni adjustable dampers to go with my Swift springs (which I am overall impressed with), so I went that route instead of starting over with a coilover set-up. Getting your suspension dialed in with as many adjustable suspension parts that you can afford will only aid in finding that sweet spot between driveability and comfort.

The tires that you choose play a huge part in that equation. I'm having to purchase new shoes for my Z since the Bridgestones are several years old now. I initially considered going with an all-season tire since I'm moving to an area back East that experiences light snow in the winter. I will probably instead go with an affordable UHP summer tire like the Firehawk Indy 500. Based on my own research, it seems to be a good all-around tire, even in cold weather. They likely don't do well even with a smidgen of ice and snow on the pavement, but I now have an incentive to buy something AWD before next winter.

That's my $.02 worth, since I had failed to provide anything of value to this discussion beforehand.

Thanks for the incentive to get coilovers. I'm going to order these tomorrow.
https://www.z1motorsports.com/coilov...d2cb357a3bdffb

[OptionZero]

He drives a roadster with no real performance aspirations, seems like flying off the road would require…user error

[2string1]

Originally Posted by OptionZero

He drives a roadster with no real performance aspirations, seems like flying off the road would require…user error

That's right, no mods on the engine or suspension. I've had my fast cars through out the years. At 71 I just want to cruise through the mountain roads of Vermont with the top down. The Z is plenty fast enough for me and fortunately I don't drive it in the VT winters or my tires may blow up....

[geeteezee]

Originally Posted by OptionZero

He drives a roadster with no real performance aspirations, seems like flying off the road would require…user error

Experience talking here folks, pay attention.

[OptionZero]

A camry solara convertible would fulfill this guys needs

[dave11]

Originally Posted by OptionZero

A camry solara convertible would fulfill this guys needs

A Solara doesn't have a MT.

[OptionZero]

Neither does the thread starter. He actually bought an automatic, convertible Z

[Red Voodoo]

Originally Posted by OptionZero

He actually bought an automatic, convertible Z

Oh, the humanity!