I'm buying new tires for my 97 SS. The rims are 18in chrome Z06. I want 275/35/18 in the front and 295/35/18 in the rear. I just don't know which brand of tires to get. I'll looked around a lot of different tires and they all have up's and down's to them. Just wanted to hear what some people on here are running and what you guys think I should get. I don't race or track day the car but I want a great summer tire (no winter driving). Thanks.

 

I'm not sure if they're available in your size, but the Continental ContiExtremeContact DW is an excellent summer tire. I have a set on my Z28 in 275/40R17 and they are the best tires I've tried yet.

 

I would forego picking a brand and just pick a tire...

I run BFGoodrich KDW IIs - They are considered a Ultra High Performance Summer Tire -

I would review TireRack.com - and pick a category (I suggest Ultra High Performance Summer & up)

From there you can easily compare the categories and pick a tire that meets your top needs.

For me - I've seen others have good results with:
Dunlop Direzza ZII
BF Goodrich G-Force Sport
Michelin Pilot Super Sport

But again - just review the categories and the key aspects you are looking for in a tire and pick one that fits those needs. I've never seen TireRack Reviews steer anyone completely wrong

 

I didn't like the KDW 2's , compared to my comp ta's ... if you want the best Michelin pilot sport 2 ! They work like a DR but drive and corner awesome!

 

I'd recommend the Tire Rack survey data. For example, as good as the Pilot Sport PS2 rates in their surveys, the Pilot Super Sport receives higher survey results, and costs significantly less. Ditto on the Bridgestone Pole Position S04 Pole Position, although it gains it's edge over the PS2 in the areas of ride comfort and noise - items that you may not consider as important as steering response and cornering stability, where it scores lower.

Enter the size tire you want. Limit the results to summer performance tire categories, as mentioned by "96 Z 28" in the post above. When you see a tire that interests you, click on "survey". When you get the survey results screen for that tire, it will have an option to compare that tire with survey results for other tires in the same category. Evaluate the relative position of each tire based on the criteria that are important to you.

Each person looks for something different in a tire, and rating the relative performance in each category allows you to weight the criteria that are most important to you.

 

Thanks guys for the info! I did go to tirerack and I got some Continental Extreme Contact DW. They came the next day. I haven't gotten them mounted yet (haven't even gotten the car out of storage yet here in Wisconsin) buy I'm sure they will work great for me. Thanks again.