Date:         Wed, 15 Nov 2000 18:26:11 EST
Reply-To:     Ssittservl@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         S Sittservl <Ssittservl@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Looking for tire advice
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It's time for new tires, and I'm looking for advice.  I've tried
the list archives, and there's lots there - but so much that it's
pretty daunting to dig through and extract those nuggets of
Tire Truth.

I have an '88 Westfalia with stock wheels, which, if I
understand correctly, will take size 185R14 tires (and
minor vairents thereof).  I currently have Continental
Contacts which were put on by the previous owner (at
least 3 years ago), and which I've been happy with, but
which are now worn enough to lose traction on wet roads.

I want to stick with the stock wheels, and I don't want the
van to get any taller than it is now (or it won't fit in the
garage).  I drive almost entirely on paved roads.  We get
some snow here in the winter.  What I want out of the tires,
roughly in order of importance, is: (1) Great dry traction,
(2) Great wet traction, (3) Reasonably good snow traction,
(4) Quiet ride, (5) Comfortable ride.  I'm less concerned
about tread wear and price.

(I learned to be less sensitive about price after I replaced the
stock Dunlops (which had performed well) on my Honda Civic
Wagon with "Dean Quasars", which were a bargain.  I don't
know where Dean Quasars come from - I think Dean makes
them in his basement.  All the ratings were good, but they
turned out to be loud, and slippery enough to scare me a
few times in the rain.  Wore like iron, though.   Lasted for
years.  I almost did a little dance when they finally wore out,
and I cheerfully plunked down the extra cash for Bridgestone
Turenza T's, which had been quiet and had great traction on
my wife's Toyota, and have performed equally well on
my Honda.)

So, I would appreciate any tire reccomendations (for or against).
Rather than fill the list with yet another tire discussion, please
reply directly to me (ssittservl@aol.com), and I'll summarize the
results back to the list in a week or so.

Thank you!

                                             -Steven Sittser