Tires Falken or Firestone

The Firehawk Indy 500 tires aren't perfect but they hold up well on a track known for eating tires. Additionally they are predictable in wet/dry conditions which is perhaps more important for learning.

Since the last road rally I've changed out the OEM Firestones for OEM sized Wildpeaks. With the OEM tires I basically had to do the whole event in 4Hi. I've got so much more traction now that I was able to do all of yesterdays event in 2WD with Trac Off.

If you don't need run flats, get Firestone Firehawk Indy 500s. Rebadged Bridgestone tires that are stickier than most Michelin tires, and cheaper too

I tried the Pirellis on Saturday and was sliding around a bit. Used the Falkens on Sunday and once I got the pressures right, I had good grip with no understeer or oversteer.

I also really like Winterforce tires. again far less expensive but great tread and can be studded if you want.

Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's seem to be the best budget performance tires.

Put 215/65/16 Wildpeak Trails on my 2007 x2.5 last week and have similar sentiments as you. Big slower off the line and a bit stiffer but overall really happy so far. Got to hit a long gravel road out hiking this past weekend and the ride felt great. My old michellins would have me fishtailing on a corner over 50km/h, was able to take same corners at 80km/h with confidence.

I’ve got Wildpeak AT trails on my lifted bugeye and I love them! I got them back in November and took them in snow, mud, rocks, gravel, and pavement and was so impressed. They gripped so well I was able to pull my friend’s 4Runner out of a snowy ditch in my little NA Impreza! I cannot recommend these tires enough! They’re also pretty quiet on the road and are totally comfortable to daily on pavement.

They are \"ok\" in the rain. They like to skate around a bit, but nothing major. Definitely manageable in non-downpouring conditions.

I had a set of Firestone Winterforce 2's on the WRX, and they were downright dangerous if they were on anything other than snow.