#1 better than #2 IMHO

I`m in favor of the BFG`s 

I have Goodyears on my Vettes only because they are "original" brand. On my wife's 98 Malibu, I have the Goodyear GTIIs on aluminum wheels for the summertime. I take them off when the weather gets bad and have a set of BFG TAs on the stock steel wheels. I think the BFGs are much quieter and seem pretty good in the snow. Handling? Can't really tell any difference, but is IS just a Malibu!  Mike

When I replaced the 16 Y/O BFG's on my '72 last year, I checked out Tirerack.com and went thru the user ratings for the Firestones, BFG, G/Y, Dunlop, and Yokahoma in the sizes of interest.  I eventually went with the Yokahomas.  So far, so good.

I've heard a lot of good things about the Firestone Firehawks and nothing bad.

Two stories to tell here, so I'll do it over two postings.

I called around to several tire vendors over the last weekend to find BFG's.  Sam's needed supposedly 10 days to order them in.  Pep Boys told me that they had them in stock for $364.97 mounted, balanced and new valve stems.

I set up the deal for Sunday morning with an assistant manager named Wayne.  I pulled the wheels and took them in.  Naturally, he wasn't at work on Sunday, and the Manager (Pi$$ed me off so bad, I didn't get his name) tells me that I don't know what I'm talking about because they don't sell BFG's and there is no way their guy Wayne would have told me that.  I asked him to get Wayne on the phone, but he refused.  We had a few choice words and I left with him reiterating that I was the one that obviously screwed this up.

I assure you, their corporate will hear of this and I will never do business with them again.

Second Story.

Took her in for a final tune up at the local vette shop and called another shop, Kennedy Tire who does Nitrogen (for $50) to see if they would call our wholesaler and get a set for me.  71Shark got his that way from Kennedy and their guy told me he would check into it.

He called me back and told me there is a US wide backorder since December 06 on BFG's and that there is no forecasted date for availability.  Not too hip on trusting the tire guys around here, I had Joe Loomis, the local vette guy, call the wholesaler to confirm this and, sure enough, he got the same story.

71Shark said that tirerack.com says limited availability. 

Anyone else hear this story?

Also, Joe says that I might check into Uniroyal Tiger Paw TPS tires.  Anyone use these?

Yes, I posted about this a few weeks ago.  I've been unable to track down any BFGs, and it's the same situation with the Good Year Eagle GT II

I just can't bring myself to put Firestones on any car I own.  Had a real hassle with the originals on my 1996 GMC when the recall came and don't want to chance it again.

I know, it could happen to any tire at any time, but once burned...