Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Aesthetics I LOVE TIRE RACK

Yeah, those Sunfires are great.

I have done business with Tirerack since the early 1980's. I support companies that support my hobbies. Tirerack supports SCCA autocrossing, a form of competition I highly recommend and participate in almost weekly during the 3 warmer seasons here in the Midwest. I have always had excellent service from them and have been treated well. But I buy my tires for maximum grip, which precludes made in America, save for BFG and Hoosier. Unfortunatly, Hoosier is not a streetable tire. Because of the tilt toward max. performance, Tirerack is one of the best places for performance tires.
Respectfully,
Andy Hohl

You guys have made some good points and some worth questioning. In rebuttal:
Yes, the place where a product is designed and manufactured has a great impact on the quality of the product. Can you expect engineers and workers from a (non-western) company in a third world country to meet or exceed the quality from those of the USA or Europe? Is their manufacturing equipment state of the art? Is their technology equal? Is OSHA, the EPA or litigious lawyers breathing down their necks?
Part of the problem is ourselves. We are too quick to condemn and criticize our own companies and products and then praise the foreign competition. We are not willing to change things. We have been brainwashed against American products. Granted, greed is probably a great motivating factor herein this country, which lends some credence to your statements. Huge profits rule!
I have talked with many people about my automobiles. My conclusion is that foreign made products are no better, sometimes worse than ours. Its funny how people brag-up their Jap cars and then when questioned suddenly remember all those problems they?ve had, like my friend?s Honda. Intermittently, the car mysteriously won?t start. Too bad its out of warranty at 38K. Or my neighbor. Toyotas are the best. What have you done to the thing? Only a water pump and computer failure, all before 80K! How about cost of replacement parts? My own experience with a GEO forced me into buying a $600 alternator and a $500 radiator (labor not included). Almost paid $1,600 for a rack & pinion. Whew!
Furthermore, why do Ferraris and other exotics come from the factory with Goodyear? I don?t think you?ll see any with Kumhos or Hankooks any time soon.
Lastly, how can anybody sensibly compare a car costing $15K with those costing $100K or even $50K?

Dan, see this topic too . I don't feel that you deserve the cluepon I gave Jaxter in a different thread.

A couple points, although I have not all the answers. The US vs. Jap cars quality gap is getting closer. Are Japanese perfect? No, never will be. I know lots of people with problems with their Jap cars, Same with US cars. I know lots of people who have had to only change the oil for 150k miles in their Jap cars too. Same with some US car owners. It's a crap shoot, I say. Looking at averages is a better way to judge, which Consumer Reports and JD Power do.

Funny you mention a water pump problem as that's a common issue with our Contiques to go at ~60k miles. Anyway, I'm am sure a Contour replacement is cheaper than a foreign one.

As to the Ferrari's w/ Goodyear, Goodyear can make as good a tire as anyone. They make some of the best racing slick compounds in major sanctions. There are a lot of factors that go into choosing an OEM tire. Many have long-standing relationships and the OEM sometimes have different intents with the tires than a random customer may have. You can't please everyone all the time, so the OEM must please the majority of the people most of the time to make money. That said, if Goodyear makes the same tire as on a Ferrari in a size I need at a reasonable cost, I would consider buying them.

The $15k car to a $100k car was an extreme example. If Company X from USA makes a $30k car and Company Z from Korea does also, does this I will like them both? Does this mean they are even the same type of car? Should I only test drive the US car? What if the US company only makes a 2-dr car and I have kids so I want 4 or 5 doors which Company Z offers? It's never this easy to compare, but not overy company offers a car for every market and every customer. Thus, the debates will never end as to what is the best car for any random person.

Aaron

DanB-
please sho me a pic of a ferrari leaving the factory with goodyears- I dare ya- because they dont- they use Pirelli's


and for formula 1-
Michelin and Bridgestone

RUF uses Pirelli

I think you got your sources mixed up