got a new car, want some opinions on my tire situation.

steverife · Post by **steverife** » Wed May 26, 2004 10:29 am

A few days ago, I purchased a new 2004 Mustang GT 5spd.

In an ideal world, I would buy a set of 17x9 wheels and 275/40/17 R compounds to use for autocross. However, I've got a tire hauling dilemma. I cannot fit 4 tires in the trunk and I'm not interested in stacking a few in the passenger seat, if they'd even fit. I could buy a tire trailer, but I live in an apartment and I couldn't conveniently store it (I COULD rent storage space or store it at someone else's place, but that isn't ideal).

This leaves me with the option of buying a good street or buying the R's and driving to events on them. I like to travel out of region to Nashville and Chattanooga, and it looks like ETR is expanding geographically. I'm also interested in doing the Atlanta Region's Lil' Talledega autocross this year. How far would you travel on R compounds?

Any thoughts or recommendations?

Williampreza · Post by **Williampreza** » Wed May 26, 2004 10:37 am

IMO: Falken Azenis Sports. Sticky, but they'll last longer than R compounds.

Post by **thrdeye** » Wed May 26, 2004 10:49 am

Put one tire behind your driver's seat (vertical), two behind the passenger(vertical), since the seat will scoot up, and one in the trunk. Don't worry about getting your new seats dirty.....I hauled tires like this for a long time, and I have no stains, rips, etc. If it is a problem, put a blanket over it. This will work.

Post by **disneyd** » Wed May 26, 2004 11:10 am

When I need to haul tires in a car, I put them in big garbage bags. They're cheap and it keeps the interior clean.

Driving Rs on the street doesn't wear them that much. As long as you just have them on to get to/from events, I don't think you'd have a big wear problem. However, I can think of two problems:

1) Hoosier's have fiberglass belts... which means its easy to break a belt if you hit a pot-hole. Kumho's are a little stronger in that department. Also, the risk of a puncture is greater on the Rs since they have less tread depth.

2) If you cord a tire at an out of town event, you're gonna have to drive home on it.

scottgib · Post by **scottgib** » Wed May 26, 2004 11:24 am

In my Mini, I put 4 tires, air tank, cooler, chair, helmet, tool box, jack, chocks, a couple of tarps, jacket, and electric drill; and I can still see out the back window with no obstruction.

Have you tried to put the tires in the car yet. Yoder and Carpenter both carry tires in their car with a passenger.

You went to dark side of high c.i.'s huh!

Jbgti · Post by **Jbgti** » Wed May 26, 2004 1:55 pm

Steve,

I'm sure you could just sit on one in the drivers seat to help see over that big steering wheel one in the passenger seat and two in the back seat or the trunk.

Post by **thrdeye** » Wed May 26, 2004 2:08 pm

OH SNAP!

MARKP · Post by **MARKP** » Wed May 26, 2004 3:11 pm

Jbgti wrote:Steve,

I'm sure you could just sit on one in the drivers seat to help see over that big steering wheel one in the passenger seat and two in the back seat or the trunk.

ROTFLMFAO!

Some of us that travel to the out of town stuff might be able to help carry tires for you, too. I definitely wouldn't buy the Hoosiers or the new Kumho (when they fix it) to out of town events. You don't want to be caught in the rain with 2 grooves running around the tire. Buy some Kumho V700's or Victoracers. I don't think I would drive to Little Talladega or even Atlanta on them, though.

Scott, I don't know if you were poking fun or not but the current Mustangs don't have quite the same trunk space as your Mini, the Celica, my VW, or almost anything else out there. I think Brown's MR2 has more trunk space.

tnturbo · Post by **tnturbo** » Wed May 26, 2004 3:21 pm

Couple of things from my personal Mustang perspective....If you are going to stay in ESP or FS you have to keep 8" wide rims. Rims identical to what is on your car now can be had CHEAP as takeoffs, less than $200 for the set. I run 275/40/17s on Cobra Rs. If you lift out the rear seat bottom, very easy just push two buttons, you can carry 3 275 tires in the back and one in the trunk (providing you take out the factory spare first). When I go to an open track event, I have 3 275s in the front, 1 in the trunk, plus extra rotors, pads and a full size floor jack. Everything fits, no problem can still carry a passenger. Unless you use the back seat, a rear seat delete kit is nice and increases your storage space plus saves about 35 lbs.

John Brown · Post by **John Brown** » Wed May 26, 2004 3:22 pm

Uh..thats actually the worlds largest air box.

tscott · Post by **tscott** » Wed May 26, 2004 3:37 pm

You can run wider tires in ESP.

tnturbo · Post by **tnturbo** » Wed May 26, 2004 4:13 pm

I knew that, that was what put my stock car in ESP,

ESP Mustang no nos for sure are welded subframe connectors (you can use the TSB bolt in connectors) and gears lower than 3.55. There are others, but those are the main Mustang snags.

If you get springs and don't get coilovers, H&R race or super race is the way to go.