New Tires?
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 13
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From: California
My '99 RX300 just turned 47,000 miles and I need new tires. I am considering the Michelin Cross Terrain or Pirelli Scorpion S/T. Does anyone have any experience with either one? Any info would be greatly appreciated! 
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 42
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From: Utah
By all means go with the Michelin Cross Terrains and go one size larger...235/70R16. I just changed out my '01 at 1966 miles and the handling and ride are superb compared to the "slushy" GY's. I got the OWL option...the tire makes the RX look like an SUV.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,851
Likes: 4
From: Arkansas
two blue stars
(That's "tubeless tires" to those of you not from the South nor of a certain age.)
Michelin CrossTerrains. Period. No personal experience with the Scorpions but Car and Driver rated several SUV tires few months back, testing on a Mercedes M-class. Pirelli's (on that vehicle) did not do well.
On personal note, replaced the (No)Intergrity's on my wife's 99 RX with the CrossTerrains several months back. THIS is the tire the RX should have as OEM. No degradation in ride, essentially no increase in noise on the types of pavement we have here, much improved steering feel, no further mistracking/pulling noted elsewhere (esp over on Edmund's RX forum). Did not upsize but no reason not to; effect on speedo/odo minimal.
Highly recommended, in other words.
BTW, did you actually get 47k out of the Goodyears??? I changed ours at 31k, and though I could have gotten a couple more thousand out of them, that particular vehicle transports my wife and 2 young sons. Better safe than............
Michelin CrossTerrains. Period. No personal experience with the Scorpions but Car and Driver rated several SUV tires few months back, testing on a Mercedes M-class. Pirelli's (on that vehicle) did not do well.
On personal note, replaced the (No)Intergrity's on my wife's 99 RX with the CrossTerrains several months back. THIS is the tire the RX should have as OEM. No degradation in ride, essentially no increase in noise on the types of pavement we have here, much improved steering feel, no further mistracking/pulling noted elsewhere (esp over on Edmund's RX forum). Did not upsize but no reason not to; effect on speedo/odo minimal.
Highly recommended, in other words.
BTW, did you actually get 47k out of the Goodyears??? I changed ours at 31k, and though I could have gotten a couple more thousand out of them, that particular vehicle transports my wife and 2 young sons. Better safe than............
Out of Warranty
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,925
Likes: 13
From: Houston, Republic of Texas
Make Mine Michelins
C/D test also responsible for my purchase – along with posts on this board.
Update: After a weekend’s driving in heavy rain, the advantages of the 235/70R16 Cross Terrains are even more clear. Ability to shed water and resist hydroplaning due to more open tread was expected, but I was not prepared for the greatly improved control when hitting deep puddles in the dark. Noise level has subsided considerably after a couple hundred miles; guess the CTs just have to be run in. Believe me, in this weather (1 FOOT of rain since install), it isn’t heat cycling! To echo mooretorque, CTs should have been OEM - steering crispness and handling improvement is impressive!
Update: After a weekend’s driving in heavy rain, the advantages of the 235/70R16 Cross Terrains are even more clear. Ability to shed water and resist hydroplaning due to more open tread was expected, but I was not prepared for the greatly improved control when hitting deep puddles in the dark. Noise level has subsided considerably after a couple hundred miles; guess the CTs just have to be run in. Believe me, in this weather (1 FOOT of rain since install), it isn’t heat cycling! To echo mooretorque, CTs should have been OEM - steering crispness and handling improvement is impressive!
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