[DeTomaso] Toyo 15in. tires-the options again...and again...fronts

[Garth Rodericks]

Matt,
 
Snatch up those 295/50-15 Toyo Proxes S/T's as quickly as you can, if they still have 
them in stock. Toyo just discontinued making that size and they're getting hard to find.
 
Rears, 295/50-15 Toyo Proxes S/T's:
http://www.discount-tires-2go.com/Store_Detail.cfm?ID=174814&InfoID=4853&ShowLarge=True

As for what tires to choose for the front, go with the 225/50-15 Toyo Proxes 4's:
http://www.discount-tires-2go.com/Store_Detail.cfm?ID=172527&InfoID=4853&ShowLarge=True

The tread pattern on the Proxes 4 is not an exact match to the Proxes ST, but it is close. 
Some might argue that the tread pattern on the T1R is a closer match, but again it's only 
close. The thing that caused me to select the Proxes 4 over the T1R was the pattern of 
the tread-blocks on/at the sidewall. The Proxes 4 tread blocks at the sidewall are almost 
identical to the treadblocks at the sidewall of the Proxes ST, which means the tires look 
like a MATCHED SET when viewed from the side (which is how everyone views the car 
when it's parked: they only see the rear end when it's moving!). This was important to me.  
The tread blocks at the sidwall of the T1R do not match the ST. They look like completely 
different tires when viewed from the side. And the Proxes R888 bears no resemblance at 
all to the Proxes ST. The R888 would look even more like a mis-matched tire than the T1R.
 
Go with the ST's on the rear and the 4's on the front and it will look like a matched set of tires.
 
Driving impressions:
The Toyo's suprised me!  The Pantera feels much more confident and secure in corners 
with the Toyos than it did with the BFG Comp TA's (front) and Euro TA's (rear). The Toyos 
have way more grip. And, turning requires less effort with the Toyos than the BFG's. Initial 
turn-in is easier and more responsive too. I love these tires compared to the BFG's. I 
haven't driven in rain, so I can't comment on wet traction, but the Toyo Proxes ST and R 
are rated as an "all season" performance tires. FWIW, the T1R is a "summer" tire.
 
Check out Toyo's promo video here for more info about all the Proxes line of tires:
http://www.toyo.com/docs/videos.asp?video=ProxesLineProduct
 
Here's a thread with more Pantera driving impressions on the Toyo's:
http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1510042044/m/1370000094
 
Cheers!
Garth