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Scion FR-S: Best Tires
When we typically think of a sports car, we imagine a high-end vehicle that costs a lot of money and is generally exclusive to the rich. However, that is not the case with the Scion FR-S, as the manufacturer aimed to create a vehicle that would offer the incredible performance of a sports car, at a fraction of the cost of a high-end option. Scion was able to achieve just that with the FR-S, which is why you can find them being sold for the same price as a casual sedan.
Given that the Scion FR-S is affordable for so many different buyers out there, tire manufacturers have designed a number of different options to enhance performance for specific types of driving. For the most part, you will find that virtually every tire will fall into the High-Performance category. A tire of this classification is designed to increase the sports capabilities of a vehicle. A Scion FR-S with a High-Performance tire equipped will have better handling and cornering abilities, which means that you will be able to push your car to its limits.
The optimal option for a person looking to solely enhance sports driving is a summer tire. With that being said, summer tires are not always the most practical option for people that want a tire that will be reliable for a wide variety of different driving conditions. If you want something that is going to be a bit more versatile, then selecting a tire that falls into the All-Season category is going to be your best bet, as they were designed to handle just about every common driving condition that you would run into on the road.
Since the Scion FR-S is primarily driven like a sports vehicle, the majority of the options that are on the market are going to be in either the High-Performance Summer Tire category or the High-Performance All-Season Tire classification. As you consider your options, you must understand that there is a trade-off between these two tire categories. You will find that with increased performance generally comes less practicality - and vice versa. Keep reading to learn more about the best tires for the Scion FR-S.
High-Performance Summer Tires
If you bought yourself a Scion FR-S, you probably did so because you like to drive a car that has great handling and performance capabilities. At the end of the day, this is not a minivan and it certainly does not drive like one, which is why it makes sense to select a tire that matches the capabilities of the vehicle. That is why High-Performance Summer Tires tend to be the most popular option for the Scion FR-S.
A High-Performance Summer Tire is going to enable your Scion FR-S to perform at its best. These tires were initially designed for high-end sports cars, which makes them perfect for the Scion FR-S. Summer tires will enable your vehicle to perform optimally on the road and they will make driving a whole lot more fun. However, you need to select the right summer tire, as they can vary in quality and performance.
A quality summer tire will give your Scion FR-S excellent handling and cornering abilities but it should also deliver on dry and wet performance. The problem with many All-Season tires on the market is that they offer a balanced driving experience and not one that is optimal, which can be experienced on hot summer roads. All-Season tires are known for burning out in extreme heat, which can not only be a nuisance for you but also a safety risk. Summer tires, on the other hand, will not crack under pressure in these situations and you will find that they will give you the most reliable driving experience in extreme heat.
Now, although summer tires are regarded for their excellent performance capabilities and heat tolerance, they are not versatile or dynamic. These are tires that need to be used only in the summer or in regions that have very balanced climates, which means that you will need to change them out in accordance with the season if you get real winters. Another important factor to take into account is that summer tires generally have a very short tread life - with most only lasting 20,000. This means that you will need to change your tires more regularly - likely every 2 to 3 years. This can be time-consuming and costly when you do the math. Let’s dive right into the best summer tires for the Scion FR-S.
Firestone Firehawk Indy 500
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When it comes to producing world-class tires, Firestone is a manufacturer that is at the top of its league. Firestone specializes in High-Performance tires and the best-suited option that they have for the Scion FR-S is the Firehawk Indy 500.
When Firestone designed the Firehawk Indy 500, they did not focus on making it appealing for a person that wants to have All-Season capabilities. This is a summer tire through and through which will guarantee to increase the sports performance of your Scion FR-S dramatically.
The Firehawk Indy 500 is widely considered to be one of the best summer tires on the market right now and it is a particularly popular option among Scion FR-S drivers. With these summer tires equipped, you will have optimal control over your vehicle on the road like no All-Season tire could offer.
To start, the fantastic grip that the Firehawk Indy 500 tire has will enable handling and cornering abilities which are superb. You can hit turns and curves at high speeds with total confidence that your Scion FR-S is going to fly through with precision. This is attributed to Firestone’s excellent tread design as well as their advanced silica formula in the rubber compound of the tire.
This tread design will also greatly increase your Scion FR-S’s performance in both dry and wet conditions - you will really enjoy the response that you get when you brake and accelerate. This not only makes driving more enjoyable but also safer. These tires are going to give you very reliable performance on even the hottest summer roads, which means that the chances of your tires burning out are going to be substantially mitigated.
However, you will also experience increased safety when driving in wet conditions. Firestone designed the Firehawk Indy 500 tires to have excellent traction on wet roads - with hydroplaning being virtually non-existent - even when tested in intense rain conditions. Another great feature of the Firehawk Indy 500 summer tire is how comfortable it will make driving. You will enjoy how smooth the road feels when you drive - with noise and bumps not being an issue at all.
Now, although these are excellent tires for summer driving, that is about all they are going to be good for. The Firehawk Indy 500 was not designed to have great performance for winter driving by any means. If you try driving with these equipped in the snow, you are going to find that they have very poor traction, which can be experienced even in light snow and ice. This means that you will need to seasonally swap these out for a more appropriate tire - unless you live in a part of the country that has an exceptionally mild climate.
Another drawback that you should recognize with the Firehawk Indy 500 tire is that it is not going to be ideal for someone who is looking to get as many miles possible out of their rubber. Most summer tires have a rather short tread life expectancy with that certainly being the case for the Firehawk Indy 500. Firestone has not marked a tread life for this summer tire, which means that you should expect to get just 15,000 miles or so out of them. However, if you do not abuse them, you should be able to get this figure upwards of 20,000 miles.
Although the tread life of these summer tires is not ideal - one fantastic aspect of buying them for your Scion FR-S is how affordable they are. You can get yourself a set of the Firehawk Indy 500 tires for just $124.00 per piece at Discount Tire. If you consider the excellent specs and performance capabilities, this is a fantastic offer from Firestone and it is one of the best bargain options that you will find in the summer tire category.
Michelin Pilot Super Sport
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A tire manufacturer that you know you can always count on is Michelin. Michelin has been producing world-class tires for over a century and they continue to prove themselves as being one of the best in the industry at what they do.
There are a handful of great tires for the Scion FR-S from Michelin but the one that we thought was the best is their Pilot Super Sport option. This tire is regarded by some critics as being the best summer tire that money can buy, as it ranks high in virtually every category.
If you decide to go with the Pilot Super Sport tire from Michelin, you will experience a new level of dry and wet performance - with top-of-the-line acceleration and stopping power. The grip that you will have on the road will allow you to rely on your vehicle like never before. With that being said, Michelin’s tread design will also give your Scion FR-S optimal handling and cornering abilities. If you want to push your Scion FR-S to its limits, there is really no better tire than the Pilot Super Sport.
The advanced tread design and rubber compound also increase the safety of this tire’s performance in dry and wet conditions. When tested in the rain, we found that the Pilot Super Sport had superb traction. This is a fantastic feature for drivers out there that live in rainy parts of the country who want to have the most assurance possible when driving on wet roads. However, we were also very impressed by how well this tire could withstand extremely hot temperatures. So, getting a burnt-out tire is not going to be an issue with these equipped to your Scion FR-S.
Michelin also made this summer tire to be as comfortable as possible. The sophisticated design of this tire will make your driving experience feel smooth as silk - with vibrations, bumps, and noise being non-existent - even when you are driving at high speeds.
If you are still not convinced, the Pilot Super Sport essentially has the best tread life imaginable for a High-Performance summer tire. Michelin’s tire can boast an incredible 30,000 mile tread life expectancy, which is pretty much unheard of in the industry. The manufacturer was able to achieve this thanks to a highly advanced rubber compound that enables excellent performance, as well as longevity.
Although this does not match up to the tread life of an All-Season tire, for the specs of this High-Performance option, this is a fantastic feature. On top of that, Michelin has backed these summer tires with a warranty. This means that if you run into any issues with your tires before they hit the 30,000 mile figure, Michelin has got you covered.
The only drawback of these exceptional summer tires is that they are rather expensive. You can get yourself a set of these Michelin tires for a starting price of $207.00 at Discount Tire, which is considerably more than the Firestone option. Although this is likely outside of the financial reach of the budget shopper, you will certainly get what you paid for if you decide to equip these to your Scion FR-S, as few summer tires can match the specs and performance that this tire will deliver.
Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position
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Bridgestone is a very reputable tire manufacturer from Japan and they have a wide selection of excellent tires. When tested on the Scion FR-S, the best tire from this manufacturer is the Potenza S-04 Pole Position.
This is a high-caliber summer tire that will greatly increase the sports performance of your vehicle. If you were driving with All-Season tires in the past, you are going to be blown away by how much better your Scion FR-S is going to handle with these equipped. These tires are highly praised by drivers for offering incredible dry and wet performance.
When designing the tread for these summer tires, Bridgestone intended to make a tire that would have phenomenal performance in both dry and wet conditions. The precision that you will have when you brake and accelerate will be through the roof. This is great news for Scion FR-S drivers out there that want to make the most of their vehicle’s 200 horsepower engine.
In addition, you can corner like a true pro with the Potenza S-04 Pole Position. This will not only make driving more fun for sports performance, but it will also make it safer, as you will have better control of your vehicle’s response.
Much like with the other summer tires that we mentioned, Bridgestone’s is very comfortable. The advanced design of the tire makes it very quiet and smooth, which you will experience when driving on casual streets as well as highways. However, this is not a tire that you want to drive in winter climates. You will have very poor performance in even light snow and ice conditions. So, be ready to change your tires when needed with these equipped to your Scion FR-S.
You should also not rely on these tires for longevity, as they are not going to last you much longer than a few years. Bridgestone has not labeled the Potenza S-04 Pole Position tires with an expected tread life - nor have they added any kind of warranty. You can expect them to likely get to upwards of 20,000 miles. However, if you give them a lot of wear and tear, then this could be as little as 15,000 miles.
Compared to Michelin and Firestone’s summer tire, Bridgestone’s option falls into the middle ground when it comes to price. You can get yourself a set of these High-Performance summer tires from Discount Tire for $147.00 per piece. This is a great option for a Scion FR-S driver who is on the fence between the Michelin and Firestone options.
Continental Extreme Contact Sport
A manufacturer that has built a reputation as being one of the true leaders of the tire industry is Continental. Continental continuously raises the bar for its competition by consistently releasing some of the best tires ever made - with the Extreme Contact Sport being an excellent fit for the Scion FR-S.
Continental has some high-end summer tires with fantastic performance capabilities, however, we really enjoyed how well-rounded the specs are from their Extreme Contact Sport option. This is a great tire for Scion FR-S driver that wants to have world-class driving performance at an affordable price.
This summer tire has very solid performance in both wet and dry conditions, but it particularly shines in dry weather. When tested in dry conditions, the Extreme Contact Sport delivered a performance that was on point with any high-end option on the market. We found that cornering and handling abilities were matched to that of even Michelin’s summer tire. In addition, stopping power and acceleration is excellent.
With that being said, the wet performance of this Continental tire is good but not great. You can expect a reliable performance in wet conditions, which is completely fine if you do not drive in the rain that often. However, if you have to deal with extreme wet conditions regularly, then you may want to consider a summer tire that is going to be more suitable to meet your needs.
Continental also designed this tire to be very comfortable. The annoying highway hum that you can hear when driving on the highway at high speeds will be mitigated considerably with these equipped. You will also enjoy how smooth these are on the open road, as there are little to no bumps or vibrations.
However, when it comes to snow performance, you are certainly going to want to have something more suitable for a colder climate, as these are not designed to handle even moderate winter conditions.
All in all, this is a summer tire with great specs. If you want your Scion FR-S to have the best summer performance possible, then going with an option like the Michelin tire is going to be the way to go. The Extreme Contact Sport tire, on the other hand, is going to give you excellent sports performance at a price that is more appropriate for a budget shopper. You can get this tire for a very reasonable price of $136.00, which is a fantastic deal for its performance capabilities.
Lastly, one characteristic that makes this tire truly shine is its tread life. To make this summer tire more appealing to Scion FR-S drivers that want to have a certain level of practicality out of their vehicle, Continental designed the Extreme Contact Sport to have a tread life expectancy of 30,000 miles. This is a great option for any Scion FR-S driver that wants to have excellent sports capabilities, as well as longevity. If you consider the specs, the tread life, and the price - this is certainly the best band for your buck deal in the summer tire category.
High-Performance All-Season Tires
The most common tires that you see on the road these days are All-Season tires. The reason for that is that they are the most practical and reliable tires for a wide variety of different driving styles and road conditions. All-Season tires pioneered a groundbreaking innovation in tire technology about 20 years ago which utilizes silica in the rubber compound. This enables better grip and versatility. However, you will find that there are very few Scion FR-S drivers that have standard All-Season tires equipped.
Given that the Scion FR-S is a sports car, you are probably not going to want to drive with a set of tires that are going to lower the performance of the vehicle. All-Season tires are regarded for their dynamic versatility - not for sports performance. With that being said, a lot of Scion FR-S drivers, still want to have a certain level of practicality out of their vehicle, which makes sense considering that most people still need to utilize their car for casual driving and commuting. If you want to truly have the best of both worlds between performance and practicality, there is no better way to do it than with a High-Performance All-Season tire.
These types of tires have become increasingly popular, as so many people tend to be conflicted between choosing a standard All-Season tire or a High-Performance one. The specs that you find with a lot of High-Performance All-Season tires are going to be excellent and very well-rounded for dynamic driving. You can expect increased performance capabilities in both dry and wet conditions compared to a standard All-Season option. This will also enable considerably better handling and cornering abilities.
You will also enjoy the reliability that you have with your Scion FR-S in adverse driving conditions. The weather capabilities of High-Performance All-Season tires vary depending on the make and model tire, but you can expect most to handle winter weather much better - with some even handling dense snow and ice well. In addition, one of the best features of High-Performance All-Season options is that they have a significantly better tread life than summer tires. You will find that just about every tire in this category will last at least 50,000 miles, which gives you right around 5 years of use. This makes driving more practical and affordable - with tire changes being less of a regular chore. Let’s dive right into the best High-Performance All-Season tires.
BFGoodrich G-Force Comp-2 A/S
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If you want to buy a tire from a trusted manufacturer, then you really can’t go wrong with BFGoodrich. This manufacturer has been producing world-class tires for over 150 years and they continue to be among the best in the industry.
After testing a number of different BFGoodrich tires on the Scion FR-S, we found that the G-Force Comp-2 A/S had the best performance capabilities in the All-Season department. This tire is highly versatile and can be relied on for virtually every common road condition. The advanced silica compound and tread life of this tire make it great for dry and wet conditions.
You will have excellent traction, braking, and acceleration that surpasses anything that you will get from a standard All-Season tire. In addition, you will really feel how the G-Force Comp-2 A/S handles and corners like a High-Performance tire.
However, where this tire really shines is in its winter performance. Unlike the summer tires that we mentioned, you can rely on the G-Force Comp-2 A/S tire all year long - regardless of your local climate. When tested in light snow, we found that this All-Season tire had very reliable traction. In dense snow, the performance began to degrade a bit but it was still able to pull through.
This is great news for Scion FR-S drivers that want to have a sports car that they can optimally drive in colder parts of the country. With that being said, you should drive more carefully on icy roads with these equipped, as they have mediocre performance in these kinds of conditions.
Another major selling point for a lot of drivers is the very solid tread life of the G-Force Comp-2 A/S. This tire will last considerably longer than any summer tire on the market. BFGoodrich has marked these tires with a tread life expectancy of 45,000 miles. This does not match up to the tread life of a standard All-Season tire, but for the specs and performance capabilities - this is a fantastic lifespan, as you can count on getting at least 5 years of them.
Lastly, this tire is very affordable, which is great news for budget shoppers. You can get yourself a set of these High-Performance All-Season tires for $110.00 per piece at Discount Tire.
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3
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Michelin is back with another excellent tire option for the Scion FR-S. The Pilot Sport A/S 3 is the latest High-Performance All-Season tire from the manufacturer and it truly excels as a tire that excels in virtually every department.
This High-Performance All-Season tire is going to be an excellent choice for Scion FR-S drivers that do not want to sacrifice too much of their vehicle’s sports performance - while at the same time, retaining the practicality and reliability of an All-Season tire.
When it comes to performance the Pilot Sport A/S 3 is going to give your Scion FR-S world-class capabilities. You can corner with total confidence with these equipped and your handling will be crisp. What makes Michelin stand out in this regard is its highly sophisticated rubber compound, which uses more silica than just about any other design in this tire classification.
The rubber compound in combination with the tread design also enables increased dry and wet performance. When tested in both conditions, we found that acceleration and stopping power were among the best of a High-Performance tire. Unlike some tire options which tend to lean in favor of either dry or wet performance, what we really liked about the Pilot Sport A/S 3 was how balanced it was for both conditions - offering Scion FR-S drivers a very consistent experience on the road that is safe and optimal.
You will also find that your ride will be exceptionally comfortable with these equipped with your Scion FR-S. There is nothing more annoying than getting an All-Season tire that is bumpy or has a hum to it when driving at high speeds. The Pilot Sport A/S 3 is very quiet and the ride feels very soft - no matter whether you are on city streets or the highway.
This High-Performance All-Season tire also has very solid snow traction. The tire was tested in light snow and ice and it performed very well for a High-Performance option. However, in dense snow and ice, we did find that performance started to become a bit lackluster. For most winter driving you should be able to get by just fine, but if you experience severe cold weather, you may want to opt for something that is more suitable for your climate.
These tires also have good tread life compared to a standard summer tire. Michelin has marked these tires with a tread life of 30,000 to 45,000 miles. This is a fantastic tread life for a High-Performance tire but there is a bit of a spread that often leaves some buyers with a sense of uncertainty. Michelin has marked these tires with this fluctuated tread life expectancy due to the fact that how many miles you get out of the rubber is going to be based on how you drive.
If you are constantly pushing your vehicle to its limits, then you can expect to get a tread life that is closer to the 30,000-mile mark. However, if you do not abuse your tires too much and drive in a balanced way, then there is no reason that you will not get upwards of 45,000 miles out of them. The good news is that Michelin has backed these tires up with a warranty up to the 45,000-mile expectancy, which means that you are in good hands if you experience any technical issues.
At the end of the day, this is hands down one of the best High-Performance All-Season tires on the market, which is extremely well-rounded and capable of delivering amazing on-road driving performance. You can get yourself a set of these Michelin tires for $144.00 at Discount Tire per piece. Although these are not as affordable as the BFGoodrich budget option, you do get considerably better performance for the increased price.
Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus Tire
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Pirelli is a highly respected manufacturer in the automotive world and they have a reputation for releasing world-class tires. So, naturally, they have an amazing tire option for the Scion FR-S.
We found that their High-Performance All-Season tire was the best matched to the specs of the Scion FR-S, as it gives the vehicle reliable climate versatility while retaining the integrity of its sports capabilities.
To start, Pirelli’s silica compound will give your Scion FR-S excellent handling and cornering. You can drive your Scion FR-S like a real sports car with these equipped, as acceleration and braking are on point with most summer tires on the market.
Pirelli’s design for this tire also has a very solid dry and wet performance. When tested in both conditions, the Scion FR-S handled very well, however, we did find that this Pirelli tire was particularly good in wet conditions. This is going to be a great High-Performance All-Season tire for individuals that live in rainy parts of the country, as your chances of hydroplaning will be seriously lowered with these equipped to your Scion FR-S.
A drawback of this tire is its winter performance. If your area just gets light amounts of snow and ice, these tires will perform just fine. However, if you get increased levels of snow, you will start to see performance issues, which is a red flag for people who live in colder regions.
One of the best features of this Pirelli tire is its tread life. The manufacturer has listed the tread life of this tire at 50,000 miles, which surpasses any other option that we have listed. This going to be the best tire for Scion FR-S drivers out there that want to get the most amount of miles out of their rubber before needing to change them. With these equipped, you can expect to get at least 5 or 6 years out of your tires and you better believe that Pirelli has backed them with a warranty.
For the dynamic capabilities of this tire, this is a fantastic option from the High-Performance All-Season category. You can get yourself a set of these Pirelli tires at Discount Tire for $142.00 per piece.
About The Author
Charles Redding
I've spent many years selling cars, working with auto detailers, mechanics, dealership service teams, quoting and researching car insurance, modding my own cars, and much more.
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