[highrisk]

Has anyone tried either the Falken Ziex ZE950 A/S or the Toyo Versado Noir? I am trying to find a less expensive tire that is as good as the big name brand tires but at a fraction of the cost. The Falken is a W rated Ultra High Performance All Season tire with a 600A-A rating. The Toyo is a V rated Ultra Touring tire with a 620A-A rating. They both have pretty good reviews on the tire sights but they are not carried on TireRack so it is hard to get a side by side comparison with the bigger name brand tires.

My goal is to increase ride quality and handling. I am not interested in a super sticky summer tire but a well rounded tire that will help improve the ride and handling of my 65 GTO. My problem is that my size selection limits what I can get. I am looking at a 215/55r17 front and 245/50r17 rear. Both 215/55s are 26.3" tall and section width 8.9". The 245/50s are 26.7" tall and section width 10".

My other choice in the Ultra High Performance area is the Continental Extremecontact DWS06 that just came out. It is a W rated tire with a 560AA-A rating and the 215/55 is 26.3" tall and 9.2 wide. The 245/50 is 26.6" tall and 10" wide. Tirerack rates this tire very high but it has the price to match.

My other choice in the Ultra Touring is the Continental Purecontact with ECO Plus. which is a V Rated tire with a 700A-A rating. The 215/55 is 26.3" tall and 8.9 wide while the 245/50 is 26.6" tall and 10" wide.
I was also looking at the Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus which is a V rated tire with a 700A-A rating. The 215/55 is 26.5" tall and 9.1" wide while the 245/50 is 26.9" tall and 10.2" wide. The Pirelli is higher rated in ride than the Purecontact but the Purecontact handles better.
Both of these tires get great reviews on Tirerack but don't have the handling as the Extremecontact but have a lot better ride quality.

So if anyone has real world experience with the Falken or Toyo tires, or has another tire that they love and handles and rides well, let me know. I would greatly appreciate the input.

I don't mind spending the money for the name brand tires if they are really that much better.

Thanks,
Dale