Confused on the Matrix's Tire Choices

"CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)" (ccpbb) 07/05/2015 at 21:01 • Filed to: None

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It slightly bewilders me why the previous owners put Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2 tires (high performance sports tires) in the back and Primewell Valera Touring ($50 dollars prius tires) in the front. I know the concept of less oversteer with the grippier compound in the back, but I am slightly worried about the front tires.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 07/05/2015 at 21:32

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I’d imagine it was more of a “what’s on sale?” situation than increasing front grip.

Funktheduck > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 07/05/2015 at 21:34

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Here’s my guess: cheap eco tires on the front for better mpg and extending the life of the sports. When they wanted fun they swapped them. Less grip on the back would help neutralize under steer.

That or they were too cheap/broke to replace sports up front after running it hard and/or not rotating

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Funktheduck 07/05/2015 at 21:42

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Both sets of tires have very little wear to them. I’m likely going to get new fronts with equal/more amounts of grip. And the last owner cared so much about the car (I suspect he was car flipping) he didn’t clean out the car, the fact there was old hand creme in the glovebox, and so much disgusting crap only the low mileage was worth it.

Funktheduck > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 07/05/2015 at 22:00

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Grip makes a huge difference in fun. My car came with Bridgestone Ecopias. They’re not terrible but I can tell they’re less grippy than the other type of Bridgestones on my gf’s car.

wafflesnfalafel > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 07/05/2015 at 22:04

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just swap them - that Matrix will be more fun when a little tail happy anyways. It probably understeers super bad now, eh?

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > wafflesnfalafel 07/05/2015 at 22:14

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I'm better off with more grip on both ends than tail happiness. My last encounter with tail happiness came with spinning out in the middle of a intersection with a SUV.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Funktheduck 07/05/2015 at 22:16

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I'm probably going to save up for a replacement front set of hankooks, because I'm planning to take this for some weekend/summer mountain carving.