Originally Posted by strat61caster (Post 3015902)

225 on a 7" wheel will feel mushy compared to a 215

Also I can definitely move my steering wheel about an inch before it really starts loading up and moving the wheels at low speed, you've probably gotten comfortable with the car so it doesn't feel as responsive anymore. Hop in another car next chance you get, I bet it improves your opinion of the 86.

You can also safely run a sportier summer tire year round with a stiffer sidewall to improve steering response, I say go back to a 215, there's a reason it was chosen by the factory.

Edit: getting used to the car also explains the body roll, your more comfortable so you're subconsciously driving it faster, you may also think you're running out of grip in tires that look fine, same phenomenon, you've become comfortable with the limit so it seems like the limit is reduced compared to before. I've gone through the same thing and junked the oe tires early when they still had some life left in hindsight, and I have talked to a few others with similar experiences.

First time you hop in a car like this it seems like it can do anything, after enough seat time you find out where the limits are.

Originally Posted by humfrz (Post 3015930)

Well now, speedyspaghetti, I'm all out of ideas on what may be "wrong" with your car.

I'm going along with @strat61caster and @Racecomp Engineering , in that the handling characteristic of your car is just what that size and type of tire does on your car.

So, I reckon you should just get used to it, or buy new tires ...... ;)


humfrz

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering (Post 3015906)

My thought from the other side of the country is mushy/squirmy tires that aren't the ideal width for your wheel and you're just now noticing it more after the post-car buying honeymoon period.

Tires will have a much larger difference than any other upgrade you buy, so get tires that match your goals first.

- Andrew

Originally Posted by speedyspaghetti (Post 3015992)

I'll look into some good summer tires when it warms up and these current ones wear out. Any suggestions from anyone?

Originally Posted by speedyspaghetti (Post 3015992)

Andrew - this makes complete sense, thank you. Probably a combination of A. all-season tires, B. wrong size, C. cold weather, D. my over-thinking. I'll look into some good summer tires when it warms up and these current ones wear out. Any suggestions from anyone?

Originally Posted by humfrz (Post 3016081)

Well, first off, I'd stay away from the brand of tire that you have.

Second off, for average driving, as mentioned before, I'd suggest you go back to the OEM 215 size tires.

Since you live in Los Gatos (I lived in the Almaden area for 7 years), and as long as you stay out of the Sierras in the wintertime, I would suggest running summer type tires the year around.

As far as what brand, for average driving, I don't think you need the most expensive ones out there. Any brand name, medium priced tire should be just fine.


humfrz

Originally Posted by speedyspaghetti (Post 3015992)

Andrew - this makes complete sense, thank you. Probably a combination of A. all-season tires, B. wrong size, C. cold weather, D. my over-thinking. I'll look into some good summer tires when it warms up and these current ones wear out. Any suggestions from anyone?

Originally Posted by speedyspaghetti (Post 3016116)

Yeah, I had never heard of Nokian... they're like $60 each on Amazon, so I don't think they are the most performance oriented tire. They're comfy, but not really satisfying in the twisty bits. Luckily the tires for our cars are relatively small and a squared set up... my Boxsters staggered 225/265s are another story... I'll have to do some research once that time comes.

Thanks again. Almaden area is awesome - I'd love to buy a house there or near Los Gatos, but housing prices have gotten even more ridiculous here recently. New townhomes built about 5 miles away from Los Gatos in Cupertino are going for $2.3 million... it's insane.

Originally Posted by humfrz (Post 3016128)

Yep, the second house I had built (in a subdivision) near Coleman & Almaden Expy, I paid $33,000 for (3 bed, 2 ba, 2,000 sq ft). That was back in 1971.

Now, Zillow tells me that it's worth $1.4 million. Hell, I couldn't afford to go back and buy the first house I had built in CA. .........:(

That one I paid $21,000 for, brand new (1300 sq ft) in 1968. Yep, $1 down for earnest money and using the GI bill for financing. Zillow says it's worth $850,000 now.

Ahhhhh....... the old days ......:sigh:



humfrz

Originally Posted by speedyspaghetti (Post 3016136)

Haha yeah that sounds about right... my family moved here in the mid 90s, and while it was already way different than I imagine it was in the 60s and 70s, I still remember orchards near the parks and libraries, lots of open space, knowing neighbors... now it's different. It's still home for me, but it's changed a lot. I go back and forth on whether I want to move or stick it out until I can afford a down payment and then have no disposable income after my mortgage payment... :sigh:

Did you serve in Vietnam? I'm a high school history teacher - if you don't mind, I'd love to hear about your experience sometime. Obviously over PM or whatever, and I totally understand if this is too much to ask for, but my students never really seem to understand that the events in our history actually impacted real people just like them... anyway, thanks for all the help. It's been super.