Caliente Tires

[Sniady]

Finally found a tire.

I searched all over the internet and I could not find these tires. But I said screw it, I'm going to try these caliente (translation HOT!) babies out. There made by Bridgestone as I was told by the owner at the tire shop, but the bridgestone site has a problem trying to find them too. Anyways there priced at fifty dollars each, have a treadwear rating of 300, Temperture A Traction A.

So I went down to the tireshop and tried to find the guy that helped me out the day before (seemed honest), but was no where in site. So the owner comes up to me and says:
"have you been help?"
"no"
"may I help you"
"sure, I'm looking for a 205/60-14, ummm I came by yesterday and decided I'm going to pick up the Caliente tire"
"Ok, let's go see if we have them"

So I go back there and asked him a few questions about tires, seemed like a OK guy I can say, of course he's trying to make a sale. But this is what really got me to purchase the Caliente tire's.

me- "So... have you gotten any feedback on these Caliente's?" (who goes back to a tire shop telling everyone who works there how great/bad the tires they purchased are, but I had to ask)
Owner- "Oh there great tires, I've had many people say great things about them - As a matter of fact, my buddy wanted a good tire which was cheap, so I threw a set of the Caliente's on for him, oh and he's a stunt man!"
me- :thinking in my head: Oh, no sh*t he's a stunt man?!?!?!?!?! You just topped it off for me!
me- I'll take em!
Owner/Jocko- Greattt! (like Tiger from Frosted Flake's)

Zoomed on home. Threw them on the Alfa, stiffened up the front shocks, and went on the road. I warmed up the tire's and into the canyon I went. I can say the Caliente is a very good tire! Nothing like the Avs-I, but pretty close. There also pretty quiet, they start to scream when you understeer (understeer: when you enter a turn to late).

If your in search for a performance tire and you're cheap or broke, I recommend the Caliente for you.

All in all, I'm satisfied I droped from a 15x7 to a 14x7 inch rim.

15x7 weight: rim - 14 lbs - with tire 35 lbs
14x7 weight: rim - 13 lbs - with tire bit under 33 lbs

The cause to go smaller was to free up the rear axel weight. The car is not faster on a 0-60, which was not my concern. But it's got more pull in 2nd gear and up. I'm definitly satisfied with the switch. Also the car feel's like I have less sway action, maybe playing with the Koni's did something.

p.s. I weighed my spare Steel - 34lbs
Sniady has attached this image:

[JoeCab]

Cool,

How about a picture of the full tread pattern?

[Sniady]

Here's a shot of the tread pattern. As you can see the Caliente's tread is seperated further apart then the yokohama's Avs-i. Assuming that if the tread on the Caliente was closer together like on the Avs-i, you'd get more traction, because you have more rubber touching tarmac.

[italcarguy]

Sniady,
A customer with a Volvo came into the shop today. The car had Caliente tires. I could not resist taking a few shots.

[italcarguy]

another

[italcarguy]

tread like yours?