Date:         Mon, 15 Mar 2004 09:50:06 -0500
Reply-To:     "Townsend, Michael D" <Michael.Townsend@SONYERICSSON.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Townsend, Michael D" <Michael.Townsend@SONYERICSSON.COM>
Subject:      I see steel belts and tire threads
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi all,

Well, my Carat's Michelin MXT tires are showing threads, so it is time
to start the tired tire thread!  :-)

I have been off list for a couple of years, but I checked the archives
first and read all of the tire posts for the last two years (that took a
while) as well as the faq on vanagon.com.  Here is where I stand:

1:  I have the MXT 205/70/R14 now and I have loved them.  Since I got
the last ones out of the distributor's warehouse a few years ago, I know
it is hopeless to find them now.

2:  I cannot afford 15" wheels.  I really intended to have them before
the MXT's wore out, but financial woes have prevented that.

3:  It appears that the Michelin XCA are the closest to the MXT's, and
they are my top search choice based on posts that I have read in the
archive.  So far, they are listed as discontinued at places that I have
called, and no one "happens to have a set" in their warehouse.

4:  I really like the 205/70/R14 size, and would prefer to stay there.
However, in defense of the guy in central SC with the Carat for sale
with the MXT's, he is absolutely right.  If it snows even less than an
inch, the Carat with the MXT's stay home.  They are scarey!  Meanwhile,
my 84 Honda accord with worn out Yokohamas never lets me down, and I
just keep driving by all the ditched SUV's.

So, it appears that my main choices for the 14" x 6" alloys are:

1:  Michelin XCA 205/75R14
2:  Michelin LTX M/S 195/75R14
3:  Michelin 4x4 Agilis 185R14C  (They seem to not go by the Agilis 61
or 81 name any more)
4:  Kumho Road Venture ST 215/70/R14  (Can't find this on their website
. . .)
5:  BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO in 27x8.5R14 (I never go offroad,
though.)
6:  Vredestein Comtrac.  I suppose I could order them from Colorado . .
. Would 205R14C work?
7:  Marshalls:  I never go offroad. . .

Is there any new information that I missed?  My priorities are Load
range D if possible, and quiet street operation.

Thanks,
Michael Townsend
Durham, NC
90 Carat