[DeTomaso] New Tires a Challenge

[Mike Thomas]

Started shopping for new tires as the Khumo Ecsta XS's are about 6 years old
and are really a handful when it's cool and the least bit damp.  Looking for
315 or 335/35 17" 's for the rear, 245/40 17" 's for the front.

At Tire Rack, in the 335 size, there are only the Pirelli P-Zero System or
the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2, at $577 and $494 respectively, and no model
match in the 245 size.   or Discount Tire, there are no model matches in the
Michelin or Pirelli in the 245.  They do sell the Khumo's Ecsta XS in 315
and 245, but not the 335.

At Discount Tire, They don't even carry anything in a 315, and only the
Michelin Pilot Sport in a 335, no model match in the 245, though they do
carry a Pilot Sport A/S-3, which I translate as all season 3 (not winter).

TireBuyer.com has Michelin Pilot Sport PS2's in the 335 and 245, with the
335's a little cheaper at $539, and the 245 are reasonable at $189.  That is
still $1285 before shipping and mounting.  They are "temporarily out of
stock . . .".  Great . . . .

Big O Tires (.com) has Goodyear Eagle F1 GS 03 in the 315, but only the
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 and Pirelli P-Zero System in a 335.  In the 245,
they have the Pirelli P-Zero System, but not a match (though similar in the
Michelin and Goodyear Eagle F1).  These guys don't show prices on line but
ask you to request a quote from a local Big 0 store.  I think these guys may
be regional to the Pacific NW.

Any other suggestions on tires I can get for the street in these two size
combinations?  My only choices from this search seem to be back to the
Khumos, the Michelin's for a ransom from the Tire Buyer, or mix/match with
something else.  Does anyone have any experience with the TireBuyer.com
site?  From them I'd have to find a shop to mount them, and they would
likely charge a premium since I didn't buy the tires through them (though if
I look a little further in their website, they probably have recommended
installers in your area).  I'm also thinking it's possible that somebody
like Discount Tire may be able to match something, they just don't have them
listed on the website.

Thanks in advance for the help!
Mike Thomas
Pres., Panteras Northwest
Yellow '74 #6328