OK, given a choice, what would you rather have:
a) the OEM Summer tires, with no option
b) the choice of an Ultra High Performance all season tire or the Summer tires when ordering / selecting the Vsport.
I ordered a set of Bridgestone Potenza RE960 AS Pole Position RFT from Tire Rack for $1200 (including shipping) for the following reasons:
1) The ability to confidently drive the car at temps under 40 degrees without having to swap out for winter tires (I won't drive this car in the snow, but will drive it on cold dry days)
2) The fact that the OEM tires have a zero treadlife warranty and a treadwear rating of 220. The Bridgestones have a 40,000 mile treadwear warranty and a treadwear rating of 400
3) The fact that the Summer tires seem to pick up every speck of road grit and fling it against the car. I drove about 100 miles on the Summer tires before my Bridgestones came in, and I cringed hearing that happen.
4) I would say that the most agressive that I get with the car is 8/10 or 9/10. I don't intend to track it. Yes, I know that I'm giving away just a bit of handling, but "not much". That's my assessment after comparing the handling for a few days on the Summers and a few days on the Bridgestones.
I got a few hundred bucks from the dealer for the OEM tires, not great, but OK. They just don't sell many Vsports and he could get stuck with the tires.
I respect the capabilities of the Summer tires and those that choose to run them. I went to all season tires on my C5 Vette a couple years ago for the same reasons. This was the best decision for me, but is certainly a matter of preference.
a) the OEM Summer tires, with no option
b) the choice of an Ultra High Performance all season tire or the Summer tires when ordering / selecting the Vsport.
I ordered a set of Bridgestone Potenza RE960 AS Pole Position RFT from Tire Rack for $1200 (including shipping) for the following reasons:
1) The ability to confidently drive the car at temps under 40 degrees without having to swap out for winter tires (I won't drive this car in the snow, but will drive it on cold dry days)
2) The fact that the OEM tires have a zero treadlife warranty and a treadwear rating of 220. The Bridgestones have a 40,000 mile treadwear warranty and a treadwear rating of 400
3) The fact that the Summer tires seem to pick up every speck of road grit and fling it against the car. I drove about 100 miles on the Summer tires before my Bridgestones came in, and I cringed hearing that happen.
4) I would say that the most agressive that I get with the car is 8/10 or 9/10. I don't intend to track it. Yes, I know that I'm giving away just a bit of handling, but "not much". That's my assessment after comparing the handling for a few days on the Summers and a few days on the Bridgestones.
I got a few hundred bucks from the dealer for the OEM tires, not great, but OK. They just don't sell many Vsports and he could get stuck with the tires.
I respect the capabilities of the Summer tires and those that choose to run them. I went to all season tires on my C5 Vette a couple years ago for the same reasons. This was the best decision for me, but is certainly a matter of preference.