Topic: Toyota echo tires

[bunky]

Hi all,  
Have a question about tires and wondered if someone can help.
I was told, from another thread, that if I buy an echo hatchback, I had better get 15 inch tires for better drive.
I asked the saleslady and she stated that it would cost an extra $1000.00 . I contacted a tire shop and she told me a quote of $720.00 and did mention that getting the rims would be better from Toyota.Something about a truer sizing and such.  
I don't know, I started to get a headache not knowing, so thats why I am writing to you all.
So, should I stay with the 14's or go one up?
Thanks in advance.

[mis3]

You should consider if you would want dedicated winter tires later on.  If so, it's better to keep the 14-inch for the winter and 15-inch for the summer.  In other words, you would want 2 set of rims/tires for your new car.  

On the other hand, if you prefer all-season, go for the 15-inch.

[AVToller]

See my post on the other thread.

[84im]

Bunky, what do you want out of your tires?  Do you want a great handling tire?  I've seen Echos with 'after market' 15" wheels and 195/50 tires.  Fit looked good.  The trick is to buy a wheel/tire combo that will be as close to possible as the stock wheel/tire, so the speedo is not affected.
If I were buying an Echo, I'd buy the middle of the road package, and buy after market wheels and tires from a knowledgeable tire shop, or a package from tiretrends.  I'd trade in the stock tires and replace them with a good set of snow tires.  There is no use comparing all-season tires to snow tires, because there is no comparison.
Note that a 175/65 x 14 (stock wheel/tire on an Echo has a diameter of 23".  A 195/50 x 15 had a diameter of around 22.7" (depending of the manufacture), which is pretty close to stock, and should not affect the speedometer reading too much.
Hope this helps.
Here is a list of 195/50 x 15" tires available.  The Yoko TR-1s are very nice.  A friend just put a set on his supercharged Miata.  A bit more money, but worth it.
http://www.tiretrends.com/sizeSelectResult2.php3

(Message edited by 84im on June 02, 2005)

[morty]

We have done quite a few packages on the Echo Hatch. Looks really good and is a nice upgrade. Better drive would be relative to what you consider better. It will stiffen up the suspension and make the steering more responsive. I dont know what they mean about truer sizing. Nothing would be truer than the original equipment. The plus sizing will improve the handling, but whether this is what they are referring to I dont know.

All I can say is that it will look cool....LOL




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