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I could not find a forum for tires so I took a chance and posted here. I apologies if this is not the right forum. I have a 1988 iroc with the 5.7 liter engine. And need 4 new tires for the car. My car has the 16 inch gold rims. Tire size is 245-50 R16. They wear on the car when I bought it back in 2005. I only have $500.00 for new tires. Because of being placed on limited income do to a back surgery that went wrong. So I was hoping you guys might be able to tell me what would be the best tires? And wear to buy them for the little bite of money I have to spend. Thank you all for the help it is greatly appreciated.
Tire rack lists several tires in that size from just under to just over $100 each. The General in the conversation above runs $449.44 a set, plus shipping (a Metro Detroit zip as an example comes to 483.32 with shipping. You'll need to pay for mount and balance, so they are probably just over your $500 limit, but there are less expensive ones too.
There's only a few tires still made in the correct 245/50/16 size, so you're pretty limited, and much more so with your budget. No matter how you cut it, you're going to pay $80-100 just to for mounting and balancing, so really your budget is closer to $400. Buy them online, and you're probably going to be out another $50 or so for shipping, so now we're at $350 if you go that route. On top of that, any shop is going to charge you probably $5-10 for disposal of your old tires.
I would imagine that anything in the correct size is not going to be normally stocked by a tire store as it's a very unpopular size at this point, so chances of just walking into a tire store and having a set of tires on the car in a few hours are slim to none.
I can't honestly recommend Riken Raptors, they're cheap tires all around, and treadwear is not very good.
They do have a Kumho Ecsta PA31 for $90/ea (plus tax, shipping, mounting, and balancing). I've had plenty of Kumhos on my '02 T/A, and can say that they usually wear fairly well, but can have some dry rot issues if you don't drive the car regularly. Update: Discount Tire Direct has them in their eBay store for $316/shipped for a set of 4 https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-NEW-245-5...QAAOSwH4hbEWIU
Personally, I'll be buying the BF Goodrich G-Force Comp 2 A/S's for the Camaro soon. They're said to have excellent wet traction (my car is AWFUL in the rain with its dry-rotted Goodyears), and they have pretty good reviews in all other categories as well, much higher than anything else in this size. Only problem is, they're $125/tire (plus tax, shipping, mounting/balancing).
I can't honestly recommend anything else, at least on Tire Rack.
The guy I bought mine from put Doral tires on and I was going to change them, but they are actually pretty decent and get good reviews. They are actually made but Sumitomo and have a good looking tread pattern, good traction and are supposed to last..
$343 for 4
He put these on because he had the original Goodyears on the car and said they were not safe. I asked for them but he said they weren’t worth saving.
I’m in no hurry to get new tires after driving around with these..
I got some Anteres Ingens off Amazon for around $50 apiece last year. 225 55 16. They fit fine, just not as wide "under an inch" but the same height as 245 50 16.
Walmart.com has cheaper tires I just asked about tires if I can drop to 225/50/16 and was told I could they kumho ecsta tires for 59 bucks a piece in that size
The guy I bought mine from put Doral tires on and I was going to change them, but they are actually pretty decent and get good reviews. They are actually made but Sumitomo and have a good looking tread pattern, good traction and are supposed to last..
$343 for 4
He put these on because he had the original Goodyears on the car and said they were not safe. I asked for them but he said they weren’t worth saving.
I’m in no hurry to get new tires after driving around with these..
I can vouch for Doral. I put a set on my 89 Firebird (which has GTA wheels) and they are a good solid tire! I just had them rotated two weeks ago with about 6,000 miles on them and I can't tell any tread loss and the hairs are still on them. They ride and handle great and have a really cool "expensive" looking tread pattern. They are also good in the rain.
They are Doral SDL 50A 245 50 16 97H. I actually paid less than the price above at 344.00 mounted and balanced out the door at one of my local wholesale tire shops.
I recently ordered tires for my truck from https://www.discounttiredirect.com/.
I'm in CT, the tires came from California - NO TAX & FREE SHIPPING.
Tire Rack would have added in an extra $200.
I can not thank you all enough. Thanks for all the help and suggestions. Gives me a lot to think about. Much appreciated. Thank you for the link James c. Sounds like what 88IROCvertZ and KentuckyKITT posted about the Doral SDL-A 245/50R16 97H BSW being a good tire for the money mite be my best bet. My car has BF Goodrich comp T/A VR4 Tires. That were on the car when I bought it back in 2006. It was a one owner car. The tires have good tread it's a shame they are dry rotted.
Last edited by camaro2172000; 06-22-2018 at 09:14 AM.
My IROC had a brand new set of Doral tires on it last November when I bought it, I was pleasantly surprised by how well they handle and are a pretty good looking tire.
I just got done reading a post by rt66er. On the new General GMAX RS. If I can find them at a good price these will be the one's I buy. If not it will be the Doral tires. Anyone have the new General GMAX RS or Doral tires would be interested in your thoughts.
Not sure if the tires I have that came with the car are the right size. My camaro has the gold rimes. I believe they are just 16 inch rims. Hate to buy the wrong size tire.
I just got done reading a post by rt66er. On the new General GMAX RS. If I can find them at a good price these will be the one's I buy. If not it will be the Doral tires. Anyone have the new General GMAX RS or Doral tires would be interested in your thoughts.
chazman has just ordered a set. I don't think he has them on his IROC yet.
The pricing I listed above in post #4 is for the Generals from Tire Rack. Not pushing either the tire, or the distributor. Shop around. But they do seem promising based on the HR review, and the $112 ea. pricing.
I recently ordered tires for my truck from https://www.discounttiredirect.com/.
I'm in CT, the tires came from California - NO TAX & FREE SHIPPING.
Tire Rack would have added in an extra $200.
I bought some Douglas tires a while back for a lil pickup and 3 of 4 of them had knots come up within a few months. That's why they $35. They are junk.
Ok guys. I am going to order from tire rack the General GMAX RS 245/50ZR16 97W I hope they fit. Can't thank you guys enough for taking time out of your day to help me with finding the right tires in my price range. Tires came to $483.30 will be here tomorrow. Now since my car has set for over 8 years. Because of spine surgery that went wrong and had to be repaired. I need to put in new fuel pump witch I hope I can find info on here about and other thing that need done before I can put the new tires on. You all have been a great help to me and I thank you.
Last edited by camaro2172000; 06-25-2018 at 11:59 AM.
Change in tire plans. I had to sent the General GMAX RS 245/50ZR16 97W tires back. I order a summer tire instead of all season tires. My mistake I reordered the BFGOODRICH G-FORCE COMP-2 A/S. Would like to hear your thoughts on these tires.
I was looking at the BF Goodrich to replace my Dorals, but have been too happy with the Dorals to replace them..
I don’t really need an all season, but just in case I get caught in some rain and have to put the top up (heaven help me!) the Dorals seem to have awesome traction and corner really good..
Change in tire plans. I had to sent the General GMAX RS 245/50ZR16 97W tires back. I order a summer tire instead of all season tires. My mistake I reordered the BFGOODRICH G-FORCE COMP-2 A/S. Would like to hear your thoughts on these tires.
That is one downside of those for sure. If you are in a colder climate, there are some definite restrictions that come with those tires.
Other than a few comments about tread noise (which is opinion as to how much is too much), I don't recall reading many negative comments about them.
For under $400 for 4 tires.. I think you’d be reallly happy with these.. Corner like a beast, quiet on the road, good looking tread, look nice and fat on the wheels, shine up really good..
My last pitch.. but it’s worth consideration.. I didn’t pick these tires and wasn’t expecting to like them and now I’m here vouching for them.. ha!
Thanks for the replies. After I get them mounted and find all the surprises waiting for me after setting for 8 years. I will leave a review of them on here. God knows I am going to need this forum to help with that undertaking. I hope the engine is not locked up and the problems are few. Can't thank you all enough. Had thank you 88 for the photos you read my mind. I was going to look for photos on here to see if anyone had any off the BFGOODRICH G-FORCE COMP-2 A/S. tires.
Last edited by camaro2172000; 06-26-2018 at 01:33 PM.
I have to second that, my 89 IROC had a new set of DORALs on it when I bought it 6 months ago and I didn't think I would like them but was wrong, happy as can be with them.
Thanks! I was looking for years and got the right one at the right price.. couldn’t be happier about the car.. bought it sight unseen and when I brought it to my buddy’s shop it was perfectly mechanically sound aside from a slight alignment.. doesn’t drip a drop of oil..
A lot of time and a little luck..
Runs like a beast too.. people say 305s are dogs, but this car will put you in the seat and chirp second.. It does what I need it to do..
Will make sure to do that. Hopefully anything wrong I can find the answers on here. Well the UPS man was suppose to knock on the door. so I could decline the shipment. But instead he left them in the driveway at the beginning of the walk to my front door. So now they are sending someone tomorrow to pick them up. I called UPS way before he came to make sure he would knock or ring the doorbell. I called them and tire rack back up to let them know. So I would not be charged shipping cost. What a lazy UPS driver.
I kinda did the opposite. I had purchased and mounted BFG G-Force Comp 2 A/S and decided I didn't like them. Discount Tire took them back and mounted the Generals. I didn't need all season tires (car won't be driven in rain, much less winter weather) and I wasn't thrilled with the sidewall look of the BFGs. Hopefully they will work for you. Here's a photo of them on my Formula.
Thanks for the photo rt66er. I see what you mean about the sidewall look. I thought they would look more rounded than flat on the sidewall. The only reason for returning the Generals is because I had read that when the temperature got below 40F. If you was to move the car the tires would crack. So I took it as the car could not be driven in cold temperature. I am not going to be driving the car much at all in order to keep the mileage down. I mite be wanting to sell the car. I will say the General GMAX RS 245/50ZR16 97W tires are a very nice looking tire. If not for the temperature making the tire unsafe in winter and needing to buy winter tires I would keep them.
It’s too bad our options are limited for tires on stock wheels.. I remember the old Nittos I had looked perfect on the car.. Hankook Ventus tires in the 90s were awesome too..
Hello MR.88 I really liked my gold stock rims. 88 What tires would you say in your opinion look and perform best on are irocs? One other thing 88. Do you think the iroc will ever be worth as much as the 60's z28 camaro?
06-21-2018, 12:00 PM
Thanks DynoDave43 and mantaguy. 
