Since Chris (CVP33) is busting my balls to write a review here goes (LMAO). I have 275/40/20's on all four corners. Prior to the Toyo's I have had GY F1's (255's), Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas (275's), and Nitto Invo's (275, 245). LATERAL HANDLING: I have about 200 miles on the Toyo's so far and today was the first day I got a chance to take them to the infamous "Eastlake Proving Grounds" for a few trial runs. My pressures were 32psi this morning. They were around 36psi for the runs. I did a few confidence runs first to get a good feel for the tires. All good! I have a few litmus test turns where I was able to take at 80mph and 65mph respectively with the Vredesteins. With the staggered Invo setup I would take the same turns at 75mph and 60mph respectively. The Toyo's I managed 65mph and 55mph. However, I'm still feeling these things out and need to tinker with tire pressures and rebound settings to really dial them in. The one thing I did notice compared to the V's and Invo's is they are less sure footed and confidence inspiring in the twisties. I have to caveat that most will never notice any difference in the twisties on street driven roads. I will add this though. If you are a beginner at road racing, these tires would be great to use on at a road course. You'll get a lot of mileage out of them. And, the best way to learn vehicle dynamics is in a car that is a little less forgiving. Being able to correct mistakes at lower speeds is a great way to learn. STRAIGHT LINE STICKINESS: Now, onto the straight away stickiness. These things HOOK. This is what most care about anyways right? With the F1's, V's, and Invo's I would just sit and spin from a dead stop (no brake stand). With the Toyo's I broke the tires loose for maybe a half second...maybe less. I have had no second gear chirp on over 20 attempts. Hell, with the other tires I can roast the tires when I do my 3000rpm first gear launch. With the Toyo's NOTHING. OTHER STUFF: The road noise and driving manners of the tires are smooth and quiet. I also really like the look of these tires. The sidewalls allow for a good coat of tire dressing....the V's have ribs that don't really accept tire dressing well. You can't beat the cost of the Toyo's and the mileage you'll get for the cost ($645 to the door). STAGGERED VS. NON-STAGGERED: One thing I'd like to also address is staggered vs. non-staggered setups. If you care at all about the handling of the car....do NOT stagger you tires (255, 245 o.k.). But, I did the 275, 245 with the Invo's and it sucked. I think my review of the Invo's would have been good if I would not have staggered. Our cars are so balanced front to rear that staggering the setups really induces understeer dramatically if you push your car in the twisties. I managed to dial out a good portion of it through tire pressure and rebound settings but it was still there. Decent tire for lateral handling. Great tire for off the line hook which most will benefit from. I live in San Diego so a review of how they do in the rain will be hard to come by. Cheers - Rick EDIT: I think the Toyo's will close the gap a bit MPH wise in the twisties once I get my balls back. I rolled a car over a cliff in Afghanistan while doing some rally racing and I'm taking things a bit slower these days. More to come! LOL
Heh, it's ok Rick. You can probably make those last a few years. Put them on whenever you take off and put performance tires on it when you come back. Keep those in the garage and they'll be ready to put back on for the next tour. and the next. and the next.
I've already thought about that. My wife will probably put a couple thousand miles on them driving to the grocery store and Target. I can probably get $300-$400 for them...great deal for someone. I'll buy the NT05's and call it a day. My wife's a trooper. She's always kinda wanted a BMW 5 series. But, she knows how much I am into driving. And more specifically she knows how much I want a Ford Raptor SVT 6.2 liter. I told her I'd trade in the Charger for one and we can get her the BMW. She came back a few days later saying "let's pay off the Charger....keep it...and buy the Raptor....once we pay it down a bit we can get a used BMW". What a girl!!! LOL
Rick, we can always count on you. Whats this about rolling a car in Afganistan? Were you jumping towel heads?
Nice write up. However it sounds like you wouldn't throw the Vreds out of bed for eating crackers. ..
No. And like Chris (CVP33) I think the V's are still a better tire. I'm real antsy to try out the NT05's. I'll see what later this year brings and maybe give em a whirl. I have full intentions of getting a Wavetrac, 09 RT Axles, and maybe some taller gears and pay Cam (Crank This Performance) to do the install. I'll get the NT05's prior so I can do a proper "thesis/manifesto", as Momo calls it!
I went with the getrag, 3.06, '09 setup and couldn't be happier. Actually found the center section used as a buddy upgraded to 3.73's. It definitely makes a difference. Especially when your going around corners under throttle. Instead of the inside wheel lifting and laying rubber, the car now squats and tries squirt straight. You can really put more power down through the corners and get on it a lot quicker coming out of the corner. Me likey!
From the reviews from folks it just seems like the one to get. I think it has to do with something like "gears vs. clutch" or something like that...lol. Someone more knowledgeable on the subject should probably chime in. Plus, it has a lifetime warranty. Yep...I can't wait!! New Review: Clover leaf - On the way home I have a 270 degree clover leaf entrance onto a freeway that I could take at 52mph with the V's, 48mph with the Ivno's and I did it with the Toyo's at 49mph. I set the throttle at 47 entering each time and adjust throughout the turn up or down according to how the tires sing/feel. I was surprised by the stickiness. It is a little colder today (60) so the test may have been tainted a bit. Eastlake Proving Grounds - From there I drove to the Proving grounds today some more spirited testing. I ramped it up a bit. I stiffened up the rebound a bit (5 clicks from tightest) and kept the tires at 32psi. I did the standard pre-run to see the conditions of the road and if anyone was back there (good and no one). I drove back to the start and did a nice 180 burnout to turn around!! I took off approached the first turn, threshold braking, trail braking the first third, and rolled over to the throttle at 68 on the first turn and 58 on the second turn. The sidewalls are seemingly the same stiffness as the Invos (NOT Stiff). They rolled over and did not feel sure footed. Tomorrow I'm going to up the cold air pressures to 36psi and see if that helps. More to come!! :usflag:
Chris, have you tried the tires at 36 psi? If it is better, I'll do small increments up and down from there.
Excellent review Bud. I run my rear Toyo 275s at 42 or 43 psig..always have. I am useless as far as contributing here...all I do is put-put around or occasionally shred through 1st and 2nd into 3rd over and over for an afternoon. 3k out of the first set of rears I haven't ever had an issue with them however if that says anything.
No, but I can tell you that these tires/cars seem to be happier with more PSI. When I did VIR I forgot to check the PSI. It just kept getting better and better until the tires suddenly felt greasy. Pulled into the pits and saw no evidence of oil, tread looked fine. Then I checked the pressures. 65!!!!!!! Dumbass move on my part, but live and learn.
Welcome to the World of Toyo. After 40,000 miles mine have finally stopped biting. I suspect you'll get far fewer miles than me though. Where'd you buy them? I got mine a coupla years ago on eBay (East Coast Tires) at $475 for the set (255/45's)... looks like prices have gone up!
