new 20s & Toyos - short term review

[DawsonMagnum]

Well, it's been a little over 24 hours since I got my new Foose Nitrous 20" wheels w/ Toyo Proxes tires and, after 100 miles or so, here are my immediate impressions:

1) Man, oh man! These look even better than I'd hoped!

2) Man, oh man! I *desperately* need to get some lowering springs.

3) As expected, these tires are noisier than the Contis but not enough to be annoying.

4) The ride over smooth pavement is basically the same BUT the bumps are definitely felt more. This isn't a bad thing, necessarily. I like having more feedback. When I hit a small bump in the road with the Contis, the car hardly registered it and there would be a slight amount of what I call the old Cadi squish-bounce. Now, with the Toyos, when I hit a small bump, I feel it immediately and hear what I can only describe as the sound of thumping a tight drumhead with your finger. I have to conclude that anyone w/ 22" rims/wheels who claims that the car rides just as good as it did with the stock wheels has either a) lost all feeling in their buttock area or b) have previously only driven cars that gave very harsh rides.

5) Traction and handling definitely seem to be improved.

[spinedoc]

Hey DawsonMagnum,

Congrats! How about some pictures? Would really like to see them.

[Scarbs]

DM

spend the money and get Adjustable springs. You'll like it better. I have the Eibach pro I've gottne use to the rack it make the car look meaner.

I havet the Nittos and i didnt notice any road noise differance. But i had the Contis on for about 2 week before the switch.

Yea Pics are needed.

[FOHN_JARGO]

24 hours! That sure is short term! Got pix?

[DawsonMagnum]

Pics are coming! I posted some yesterday but they were from my camera phone. I tried taking some last night when I got home, but darkness + crappy digital camera = bad pics. I'll take some new ones tomorrow and post them asap.

[MattRobertson]

I've had my Proxes on for a few months. When the ground gets wet be careful, and take the car somewhere its safe (REALLY safe) to experiment.

I found that dry traction was hugely improved with Toyos, but wet traction was significantly degraded. The car wants to break loose all the time when under acceleration. I wound up taking the air pressure steadily down until I settled at the factory 30 lbs, which is too low imho. And it still wants to break free. Only its mostly safe now.

The ESP is significantly less effective in reining the thing in fast, when compared to the conti's. In a left turn lane, if once I round the corner I nail it (just before I straighten the wheel) I can usually no a near-90-degree spin before I chicken out and lift. Same with a right turn, come to think of it :-)

In talking with some folks who know tires they point to the 460 treadwear on the Proxes: Great for long life but not very sticky. I'm planning on using the Goodyears that come with the SRT's next. Treadwear is 220, so they'll wear like crap but should stick to the ground well.

[Cam]

COOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!. nice rim huh. congrat's.

[DawsonMagnum]

but wet traction was significantly degraded. The car wants to break loose all the time when under acceleration.

Warning much appreciated! *Hopefully* this won't be a problem since my Magnum is now just a weekend/sunny day car, but in the off chance I get caught in a sudden storm or somesuch, this is definitely good info to have.

[zonian]

... The car wants to break loose all the time when under acceleration....

Ditto this, I have the Proxes as well. Their high speed anti-planing characteristics seem very good on a rainy/snowy surface, but you can lose it very easily from a dead stop.

Paul

[Himmy]

I have to conclude that anyone w/ 22" rims/wheels who claims that the car rides just as good as it did with the stock wheels has either a) lost all feeling in their buttock area or b) have previously only driven cars that gave very harsh rides.

I have 22's and feel no difference in the ride quality at all.
a) I guarantee you that you have a larger buttock area than I do, and I have full feeling in my normal sized buttocks,
b) I have driven a very large amount of very different vehicles, and currently own many completely different vehicles.

My Magnum on 22's rides the same as it did with the stock 18's and Conti's!!!!!

[MattRobertson]

Ditto this, I have the Proxes as well. Their high speed anti-planing characteristics seem very good on a rainy/snowy surface, but you can lose it very easily from a dead stop.

I've noticed that I don't seem to have a problem, for example, cornering at speed, but given the breakaway under acceleration thing I've been extra careful. Don't want that other shoe to drop, so to speak.