Gen 2 GTS 18 inch tire choices limited Toyo R888R experiences

[capevettes]

It's rear tire time for my 2001 GTS. Getting bald now. I don't want to change wheels. How do you guys like the Toyo Proxes R888R in the stock sizes? I loved my Michelin Pilot SS's but am out of luck on 18's. Tire Rack has the R888R's for $347.50 (335 30 18). I don't drive in the rain and generally don't drive much in the winter.

Do they handle as well as the Michelins? I read some reviews. People like the handling, consider them noisy and they seem to wear quickly.

Thoughts from those of you that have them. Basically a track tire that handles well in dry, which I might like. Not too many other choices.

Thanks,

Paul

[BrianACR]

Also interested to hear peoples thought and experiences with those Toyo’s.

[01sapphirebob]

I think the only tire you can find right now in an 18 for the rears on a GEN II is the Pirelli Rosso. Tire rack shows them. They dont have the fronts but if you go to a 285 instead of a 275 you should be ok.

[mackzilla]

I'm liking my 18" toyos. I got from JonB. They're a little sketch in heavy standing water but just take extra care when passing through. They've been solid on daily driving and track time. I will probably buy them again after these die this year.

[capevettes]

I think the only tire you can find right now in an 18 for the rears on a GEN II is the Pirelli Rosso. Tire rack shows them. They dont have the fronts but if you go to a 285 instead of a 275 you should be ok.

Bob, I was just in the Tire Rack site. They do offer the Toyos for the rear in the correct size. I saw the Pirelli Rosso but it seems the handling is superior with the Toyos after reading the reviews.

[capevettes]

I'm liking my 18" toyos. I got from JonB. They're a little sketch in heavy standing water but just take extra care when passing through. They've been solid on daily driving and track time. I will probably buy them again after these die this year.

Thanks for the reply. I try to stay away from rain and standing water but I do like the idea of a great handling dry weather tire. How many miles did you get out of them?

[MCG]

People like the handling, consider them noisy and they seem to wear quickly.

This would echo my limited experience with the R888Rs on a set of factory 18" rims. I only take the Viper out in dry weather and my last set of tires was replaced due to age rather than wear so, other than them being a bit more noisy than my previous set of Pilot Sports, I like them.

[capevettes]

This would echo my limited experience with the R888Rs on a set of factory 18" rims. I only take the Viper out in dry weather and my last set of tires was replaced due to age rather than wear so, other than them being a bit more noisy than my previous set of Pilot Sports, I like them.

Thanks. I can live with them being a little noisy. I kind of like the idea of an aggressive, good handling, dry weather tire. I like driving twisty secondary roads.
Do they handle as well or better than the Michelin?

[MCG]

I like them better than the PS2s I previously had on the Viper and the PSSs I had on my previous Z06.

[capevettes]

I like them better than the PS2s I previously had on the Viper and the PSSs I had on my previous Z06.

Great. Sounds like what I want. They're certainly less expensive than the Michelins were.

[mackzilla]

Thanks for the reply. I try to stay away from rain and standing water but I do like the idea of a great handling dry weather tire. How many miles did you get out of them?

Hard to tell, I think they'll survive the rest of this season and be junk.

I'm at about at 8k on them now including one track day, 4-5 autocross events and a few burn outs. I also run aggressive-ish alignment settings.

[BrianACR]

Good info on the Toyo's. I'll definitely look into them next time I'm needing tires!

[capevettes]

Hard to tell, I think they'll survive the rest of this season and be junk.

I'm at about at 8k on them now including one track day, 4-5 autocross events and a few burn outs. I also run aggressive-ish alignment settings.

Thanks. I only got about 11,000 miles out of my Michelins. I ordered the Toyos this morning.

[capevettes]

Good info on the Toyo's. I'll definitely look into them next time I'm needing tires!
Better grab them soon from Tire Rack. They still have some. Toyo's own site doesn't list them in our sizes.

[ducatithunder]

I’ve had no issues with r888s on my acr. They are a little noisy at highway speeds but not like a lifted Jeep loud. Hell I can hear the shock rattle more then the tires. I’ve heard the new R version is quieter due to a different thread design. I’m going to put a set on my cobra and see how they do. As for driving with them ... I love them. They are sticky and tons of grip. I’ve got stuck in the rain a couple times with them ... standing water on the road at speed without issue. Any tire would have lifted in those conditions. For the money you can’t beat the performance with the few trade offs.

[capevettes]

I’ve had no issues with r888s on my acr. They are a little noisy at highway speeds but not like a lifted Jeep loud. Hell I can hear the shock rattle more then the tires. I’ve heard the new R version is quieter due to a different thread design. I’m going to put a set on my cobra and see how they do. As for driving with them ... I love them. They are sticky and tons of grip. I’ve got stuck in the rain a couple times with them ... standing water on the road at speed without issue. Any tire would have lifted in those conditions. For the money you can’t beat the performance with the few trade offs.

Great. I should have them today. My exhaust is pretty loud, so noise won't bother me. I have heard that the R compound is quieter. I like sticky tires.

['93 RT/10]

The other option currently available for the 18" wheels are the BFGoodrich G-Force Rival S. I got a set of them last year after having the PS2s. So far I have been happy with them. They are just as quiet as the PS2s and seem to be just as sticky.

[Mr. Acoustics]

The other option currently available for the 18" wheels are the BFGoodrich G-Force Rival S. I got a set of them last year after having the PS2s. So far I have been happy with them. They are just as quiet as the PS2s and seem to be just as sticky.

I also currently have the Rival S's and I am happy with them. They are sticky enough that I won my class at an autocross last year and have been very predictable on the street. I would buy them again but I am going to be moving to an 18-19 SRT wheel setup this year and can't get the 19in size so I will probably end up on the R888r's as well.

[mackzilla]

The other option currently available for the 18" wheels are the BFGoodrich G-Force Rival S. I got a set of them last year after having the PS2s. So far I have been happy with them. They are just as quiet as the PS2s and seem to be just as sticky.

The Rival S will outperform the r888 IMO. I don't know about the R888R. I would have preferred to buy those buy they were a little out of my range at the time.

[BrianACR]

The other option currently available for the 18" wheels are the BFGoodrich G-Force Rival S. I got a set of them last year after having the PS2s. So far I have been happy with them. They are just as quiet as the PS2s and seem to be just as sticky.

Good to know! Thanks for this. Do you know if they are a regular production product, or made in limited runs like Michelin does?

[capevettes]

I run R888 on the Viper and R888R on LP640. These are my favorite street tires. The reality is not many Viper/Lambo tires are getting replaced due to wear, but for age. So go with a sticky tire which can handle wet conditions and the Toyos are cheap. The 888R is much quieter than the 888.

I run 315 front's on my non-ABS Viper (Stoptech front BBK; GEN2 fronts on the back & stock proportioning valve) and I rarely get a tire to lock up.

Nick thanks for your detailed PM. It definitely helped.

[capevettes]

Well I ordered the Toyos from Tire Rack yesterday and they were here this afternoon. Great looking tires. Aggressive tread pattern and they are even sticky to the touch. Can't wait to get them on. If they handle as good as they look, I'll be very pleased. Thanks all for the feedback.
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[Camfab]

I love Tirerack their shipping can’t be beat. I’d love to know the exact height of the rear tires once installed on the rim. Thanks!

[capevettes]

I love Tirerack their shipping can’t be beat. I’d love to know the exact height of the rear tires once installed on the rim. Thanks!
I may get them on today. I'll measure it for you.

[capevettes]

I love Tirerack their shipping can’t be beat. I’d love to know the exact height of the rear tires once installed on the rim. Thanks!

Got the Toyos on today. I measured the Michelins on the rims at just about 25 inches in height. The Toyos were identical at about 25 inches.

[capevettes]

Well I got the Toyo R888R's on today and took the car for a spirited drive, both highway and through some of my favorite twisty roads. As far as highway: Zero noise. Very quiet. Every bit as quiet as the Michelin Pilot SS's. The car actually was smoother. Of course the Michelins were about naked like slicks, but these seemed very smooth. Seemed as smooth as the Michelins when they were new. Once I got the tires warmed up I got on some twisties. It handled very well, but no better than the Michelins. The tip in turn seemed not quite as quick, perhaps because these are new and softer. At the limits it may be superior to the Michelins.

Should I run a bit more tire pressure on these to make them more responsive? Seems I had read this somewhere? I had them at 32, which is higher than the 30 PSI I normally run. The tires look fantastic. Overall, I am very pleased.

Some pics (not so good, I know)
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[Camfab]

Thanks Cape! I wish they measured taller......
Like so many tires it turns out they measure shorter than what the manufacturer claims.