Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
GSD3 195-50-15 on Rota C8's
Aggressive street. Tires do have auto-x and track use.
I got these tires used with an abundant amount track and auto-X time. I have to say that there was maybe 30-40% tread left. I am now on the wear bars and the tires still grip like crazy, wet or dry! They were quiet at 30-40% tread, but now on the bars there is obviously some noise. These are absolutely the best tires that I have ever had on any vehicle. I just purchased another set and the 425.00 installed for all 4 is well worth the money. If you are looking for an agressive looking and very predicatable handling tire, then consider these tires.
Difficult to remove without leaving damage
Applicable to '99 + 1.8 liter
These are a uni-directional VR tyre that I've just fitted to my 1.8is
I've done around 1000 miles on these now and I can't believe the change to the car. It now wanders around in a straight line at high spped on the motorway. I can't complain about cornering grip (and they are much more confidence inspiring in the wet than the Michelins I replaced) but the way the car reacts makes it hard to make fine adjustments in bends that vary. The car seems to sway around before settling itself into the corner and any speed change repeats the effect.
I think these tyres have too soft a sidewall so I'm going back to the Michelin SX as soon as I've worn these out. Strange because the NCT 2's that replaced the Dunlops on my MK1 were, I thought, the bees knees!
Not an installed item
They are after market tires I purchased from the Tire Rack over 2 1/2 years ago.
These tires have been nothing short of superb. I had H-rated Kelly Springfields on before the GS-C's and the difference was instantly noticable. It's hard to understand why Goodyear discontinued the model. I have about 25,000 miles on them and they look just great. Obviously, they are some what worn, but when you consider that these are tires with a soft compound the wear is extraordinary. I would imagine they will last at least two more years. I maintain a 30 psi pressure on all four tires.
Premium tires are the way to go. I hope to be able to stick with Goodyears.
I fitted a set of 205/50x15 GS-C's mounted on 15x7 Moda wheels to my '95 R-Pkg.
I was impressed from the start, finding considerably more grip than my OE Bridgestones. At brisk speeds the vintage handling characteristics were thoroughly modernized. At the limit the car still lets its tail out in a vintage manner. I expected a lot from the wide grooves in the rain. While wet performance is pretty good, a definite improvement, I would have liked even more. Accelerating away from a rainy toll booth still requires a light foot. Even with my Torsen limited slip diff.
Tire Rack had this size on sale for $77. At that price they're a steal. They may not be the ultimate, I'm not sure what is; P-Zeros are getting old, Sport 8000s have their limits. I wonder if the Goodyear F-1 and Firestone SZ 250 will come out in Miata sizes.
| Back to Product Reviews | 10 April, 2005 |