Goodeyear GT-HRs or Bridgestone Indy 500? $500 vs $539

[lostatlantis]

hi all,

need some input for a set of new tires for my 96 firebird. It's got the original Eagle GAs 235/55/16 on there right now, and they are pretty low on tread. I am about to drive over to Nashiville from SC for a two-month internship, so I thought I should change them out before I go.

I asked my local Goodyear and Firestone dealers and got the following quote:
(both 235/55/16, all prices include tax)

Goodyear -
$500 for 4 Eagle GT-HRs, installation, one time alignment, and lifetime rotation

$515 for roadside hazard program


Firestone -
%590 for 4 Firehawk Indy 500s, installation, lifetime alignment and rotation, and roadside hazard protection

$539 - without the lifetime alignment (one time at installation) and no roadsize hazard protection


I wanted to get Indy 500s because of tirerack ratings. But the GT-HRs are pretty close in ratings and here they are slightly cheaper. But then again, do Goodyears wear faster? I've read some bad things about my Eagle GAs... but don't know if it still applies for the GT-HRs (8.5 for tread wear vs 8.7 for Indy 500 on Tirerack).

I need to get this done today because I am leaving for the trip tomorrow or monday.

[silvachris1]

Well, I'll tell you that I am not a fan of any Goodyear tire. I've never seen one in my area last beyond 20K. Maybe I'll try the new Assurance tire they have out one of these days. I have the Firestone Indy 500s on my car and so far they are great. I've only put about 6,000 miles on them or so. They hold the road pretty well, and they did better than I expected in the snow. I haven't hit any serious water in them so I don't know about the hydro resistance but they do great on wet roads. I like em, they're pretty quiet too. Only thing I've seen that I don't like is that they pick up every little piece of gravel on the road.

[silvachris1]

Oh, mine are 245/50/16. I got them on www.tirerack.com for like 80 something bucks each. Mount and ballance was like $40. Your size tire: the Goodyears are $87, and the Firestones are $86. Total this way, you're lookin at about 420 or so with shipping and crap for either tire. Ummmm... only downside is, you don't get your road hazzard from a local shop (you can buy it from tirerack for another 40 or so).

[zlexiss]

I'd say go from the 235/45-16 to 245/50-16. The 235's we got with the Y87 package is a less common size, and there's not too many choices.

The 245 won't affect the speedo, and you'll have a much better variety of choices and possibly some better deals too.

[94camaro25]

I use to run a Firestone store called Expert Tire. Trust me when I say "put the Indy 500 on the car". I say that not because I'm a big Firestone fan, but because of the technology involved in the tire.

The Indy 500 comes with a new technology in tires called "Unit-T" construction. Unit-T construction gives you the quietest tire, improved wet/dry traction and longer wearing tire. To do this, the folks at Firestone developed the tread pattern to release water faster than other tires without unit-t. They connected the silicon the rubber compound together, strenghting the tire, lasting alot longer. Computer design was used to allow the tire to ride quietly. The most important feature to unit-t is the round o-bead. Bridgestone/Firestone is the only tire manufactor that has a completely round o-bead. This allows the tire to rotate straight and smooth. Most every tire out there without unit=t has a slight wobble built into it cuz it's o-bead is overlapping. Goodyears are known for premature wear. Crappy warranty!! The Indy is 50,000 but if taken care of (rotation every 3/5000 miles & align check once a year) you'll see 80,000 plus miles. The Goodyear will have a first year, first 25% (which ever comes first)against manufactor defects. Firestone will cover their tire for 5 years against manufactor defects!!!!

Be smart take advantage of the life time alignment plan. It should average $100-150. But every time you you have Firestones rotate the tires (which will be free), have them check the align. If it's out, they'll reset it for you, no charge. If you can, I recommend life time balance, as well. At Expert Tire, they offer a road hazard program called Free Replacement Cert. Basically for 10% of each tire, it would replace your tire if damaged and its unable to be repair safety, up to 3 years!!!

If you haven't gotten the tires yet, check around to see where the closest Expert Tire is. Since your in the Carolina's look for another Firestone sister store called Tire Station, they are the same as Expert Tires.+

Good Luck

[94camaro25]

oh, by the way, definetly go to 245/50-16. You'll love the improved braking and handling!!!

[lostatlantis]

hi all,

been a while since I last posted uh? [img]smile.gif[/img] well, I am now over in Nashville, TN for my summer internship. I ended up going with the Indy 500s over the Goodyear Eagles HRs... it was more expensive but I figured if I am gonna spend this much, hell might as well get what I want.

94camaro25, I didn't go for the extra road hazard and alignment, it was gonna add $100 or more to the final price I believe. I had my alignment checked and the left is right on while the right is 1/1000 off. Even their manager said that wasn't worth the $69 one time alignment fee. The hazard and lifetime alignment would've been nice, but you gotta know I am on a college student's budget because hey, I am a college student ;)

As for my thoughts on the new tires... how's a 560 mile drive across 3 states count for a warm up? [img]smile.gif[/img] I took the 9 hr drive the day after I got the tires, from SC over NC then to TN. First of all, the ride was smooother and quieter. I can actually hear my engine rev at 70+ mph with ease! Definitely noticeable improvement in those department. As far as cornering and stuff, well I never really pushed my car to the "limit" with my old tires so I don't really have much to compare. But, the segment of the trip that went throuh the appalachian mtns... oh man, I was having too much fun! I did 60 all the way through, i think it was 45mph limit. There were some scary points, come to think of it that might've been just a little wild if you know what i mean hehe But the traction was good, and I definitely felt more comfortable in those twisty turns in the mtns. I think some of it was me knowing I have new spankin' tires, but there was definitely noticeable improvement in dry traction over my old tires.

I had some light rain over the trip, but it wasn't anything to write home about and the Indy 500s did fine as far as I can tell.

Oh by the way, I stuck with 235/55/16. I know... you have NO idea how much I wanted to do 255/50/16. Hell I wasn't even thinking about 245s. BUT... first of all the local Firestone store was out of stock on anything above 235. Second, they wanted a king's ransom for 245s and above!!! I mean, it was something like $900 for 245s, it wasn't even funny. How does that work? Well anyway, I was pressed for time because I had to get new tires for the trip. Yeah I know, bad planning on my part, should have ordered ahead of time. But then again, I figure I have a 200hp V6... 235s should be fine for your average college kid (all you parents out there, I know you all want your kids to think just like me [img]smile.gif[/img] ) I wanted to be responsible and be realistic with the cash situation. I think my mom would have helped me out if I really said I had to have 255s, but that doesn't feel right.

Another reason for skipping 245s is the speedo thing. I did the calculation and the 255/50/16 will be much closer to the original 235 value than 245s. Okay, I did that just to help myself get over it hehe but still it's something to think about.

Oh by the way, at the beginning of the trip, I definitely felt the car wandering or following the road more. I had to fight it on several stretches, it's not bad but noticeable change from my previous tires, the stock Goodyear Eagle GAs. Is this normal? I mean, the alignment is great if the guy didn't lie to me (only the right is off, at 1/1000). It's just a little weird that I experienced this when I didn't jump in tire width (I have Y87, so the Eagle GAs were 235/55/16 as well). Any thoughts or inputs on this? My guess is that my old tires were so worned out that I couldn't feel the road that well any more. With the Indy 500s, I definitely have the road feedback.

Oh and another thing... my friend's truck was attacked by stupid people with BB guns, at least that's our theory from looking at the 20+ dents in his red ford ranger gate. I did a check on my car just to be sure, and I found that my back right rim was damaged! I wish I have a digital camera, but it's several deep scratches (turned black now) on the rim near the tire, and one stretch it's so bad the underlying aluminum is showing!!! I called up the Firestone manager about this and we had a friendly conversation. He said they use "rim guard" but I should take the car to the store once I am done with the internship, which will end on Aug 7th. I know for sure that prior to the tire change, those gashes were NOT there on the rim. I doubt they are damaged during the trip. If you see the picture you'll see that it would have been hard for rocks or something similar to cause this kind of damage. I wish I had taken the time to inspect my car before leaving the store. What's you all's take on this? It's the stock rims, so I guess in a very small way I am "happy" in that I'll have a reason to get new rims lol But that's gonna be a long time coming, esp since I just got these new tires. I want to get 17'' rims eventually. But anyway, it still hurts when this sorta thing happens... :(

okay that's enough rambling for tonite. If you read through all that, thanks for reading! And let me know what you think~!