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Tire Options for 2007 Prius Base

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by mlmf, Mar 18, 2012.

  1. mlmf

    mlmf Junior Member

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    I am looking for tires for my car. I have ordered the Eibach Pro-kit and the KYB struts to replace the crap that was on the car when I bought it. I drive 95 miles one way to work and the Michelin Destiny tires I have are garbage.

    My weekend car is a 2003 S2000 with Konis', Eibach springs and Dunlap Direzza Z1s.

    I am not looking to make by Prius handle like the S2000, but I would like a good tire for the money, decent tire wear (put 35,000 miles on the car last year).

    I am getting around 44.5 mpg at 80mph and am happy with that, but would not mind getting better. I do want the car to handle MUCH better than it does. It is scary bad handling, especially in the rain.

    So any suggestions would be appreciated.

    I have looked at the 195/60-15 FALKEN ZIEX ZE-912. Anyone have any experience with that one?
     
    #1 mlmf, Mar 18, 2012
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    If you want crazy good handling then ditch the 15s and put a set of 17s on it. :)
     
    #2 F8L, Mar 18, 2012
  3. mlmf

    mlmf Junior Member

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    I would go crazy, but that is what the S2000 is for. :D
     
    #3 mlmf, Mar 18, 2012
  4. drew935

    drew935 Member

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    Add a chassis stiffening brace and swap out the rear sway bar. 195's will be good together with that combo ;)
     
    #4 drew935, Mar 19, 2012
  5. Daves09prius

    Daves09prius Active Member

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    I'd recommend the 205/60 R15 - I really like my General Altimax HP tires, and they are not expensive at all. You can order them from WalMart too!
     
    #5 Daves09prius, Mar 22, 2012
  6. mlmf

    mlmf Junior Member

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    Well I picked the FALKEN ZIEX ZE-612. I got Discount Tire to do a price match and will have 4 shipped to the house for $295. Also had another site, Vivid Racing, did a price match on H&R springs. Along with the new KYB struts coming in, the car should much more stable.

    I am also now looking forward to taking it on a road trip this summer the the mountain roads of North Carolina.

    I will install the tires first and get some initial readings on the gas mileage, before I install the new struts and springs to see if there is a difference in the gas consumption of the car.
     
    #6 mlmf, Mar 22, 2012
  7. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    Funny you ask because I have ADVAN AD08s on my car right now and I was thinking of fitting Direzza Z1 Star Specs
     
    #7 a_gray_prius, Mar 22, 2012
  8. Daves09prius

    Daves09prius Active Member

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    That's an awesome price! Anything under $300 with shipping is a deal.

    When I changed my tires to the 205/60's I noticed a slight milage drop for the first 200 miles or so, but once my tires were worn-in the milage came back. Which I think is really common with driving on new tires. Of course driving with the upgraded suspension will only make you want to drive faster -- so that might be the biggest impact to your mpg!

    Work on your pulse and glide, I think that's why I get 50+ MPG while driving 70mph on the freeway.

    Also the G7 Chassis Brace made a big difference, and at $45 shipped from eBay, why not? $45 is chump change when compared to some of the prices companies are asking for similar kind and quality chassis braces.

    Glad you got a great deal! let us know what you think of the tires once you get them mounted and have driven on them for awhile.
     
    #8 Daves09prius, Mar 23, 2012
  9. mlmf

    mlmf Junior Member

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    UPDATE:

    I installed the tires myself on the car last week and drove the car home/work/home and have not noticed any decrease in mileage, i actually saw an increase of 2 mpg.

    This past Friday I installed the KYB struts and H&R springs. Since the car was lowered the same on both front corners, it really brought out how out of alignment my car is, going to get that fixed Monday.

    So far, in just the 20 or so miles I have driven the car since the new struts and springs, I am very impressed on the new handling of the car. I am not however very disappointed in the seats. I know the car is not a sports car, but the seats have NO lateral support.

    This should make the mountain road trip very interesting.

    I will give another update in a couple weeks on my longer term satisfaction.

    Will post some before and after pictures of the car soon.
     
    #9 mlmf, Apr 1, 2012
  10. Daves09prius

    Daves09prius Active Member

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    Try putting some washers under the front seat mounting brackets. Believe me it doesn't seem like it would make a difference, but it does! I spent $2 at walmart buying the washers and it sure was money well spent.

    All you need to do is move the seat all the way back. (this gives you easy access to the front mounting bolts) If I remember correctly, you'll need a 14mm socket to remove the two bolts, gently lift up on the front of the seat and slide the stack of washers under the mounting bracket, do this for both brackets then re-install the bolts. -- it's that simple, and makes a world of difference. It made such a difference that I even adjusted the passenger side seat.


    Another thing I've found for seat comfort is to move the seat and the backrest all the way back. So the backrest is almost touching the back seat. Get out of the car, then get back in and sit down. Adjust your seat position forward and backwards to get your legs comfortable and reaching the pedals.

    Then with one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the backrest control lever, find a comfortable position for your back and a comfortable position for your arms to reach the steering wheel.

    I know it sounds like a lot of work, but trust me it helps make these uncomfortable seats, comfortable.

    -- Hope you have time to do this before your mountain road trip!
     
    #10 Daves09prius, Apr 4, 2012
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