Firestone Firehawk SZ50 Tires

Firestone Firehawk SZ50 Tires 

DESCRIPTION

The new Firestone Firehawk SZ50 Ultra High Performance tires were developed to provide comfort, performance, consistency and value. Firestone's name for selected elements used to develop and produce the Firehawk SZ50 is UNI-T,which indicates the use of their Ultimate Tire Technology. Available in 15-18 inch sizes.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 28  
[Aug 17, 2006]
George Rieke
Model Reviewed: Audi A8

Strength:

Quiet, good traction, safe.

Weakness:

Totally unacceptable wear properties, wear rating of 340 is deceptive - I have no idea how these tires got that rating.

These tires provide nice initial performance. However, despite their 340 tread wear rating, they have really terrible life - mine are gone with 13,000 miles. This is not acceptable for such expensive tires with a good tread wear rating. For reference, I got 44,000 miles on the lower grade tires that came with the car, so 1/3 the lifetime is not the way I drive, it is the poor tires.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Jan 19, 2004]
MIKEWAZ88
Model Reviewed: PONTIAC/TRANS AM

Strength:

Grip Not a noisy tire Handling improves Looks

Weakness:

None

One word: UNBELIEVABLE. I am in DFW Texas area, and when it rains, it pours. I had factory GoodYear GSC's on my baby (2002 Trans AM), and they wore relatively quickly. Wet weather, I'd slip in a minor puddle never mind, taking off at a red light. The car would spin the tires easily in wet weather with the traction control on. Turning with those tries was less than comfortable (felt like marshmallows at times).I purchased these Firehawks and wow. Sticks to the ground in wet or dry driving conditions. In fact, just had a typical 2 inch rainstorm and it did not matter. The Firehawks are flawless. Not a noisy tire either. Tires look agressive as well and only enhance the look of the car. All I can say is HIGHLY recommended. I heard these tires are being discontinued, so snatch em up if you can.

Similar Products Used:

Goodyear GS-C

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 26, 2003]
Serial
Model Reviewed: 1989 Chevy Camaro IROC 5.7

Strength:

- Unmatched dry grip - Ok wet grip. Do not go crazy in the rain - Good price - Good wearing - Unique looking tread pattern

Weakness:

- They still break loose when you jump on it

I bought these tires to replace a set of mismatched gatorbacks on my camaro. This was the best purchase I've made so far! I find myself taking 270 degree on ramp's at completely unsafe speeds just becuase I can :) I have to be doing 50 mph on a strong turn just to get these things to squeel. 4500 miles so far and they're wearing very slowly. These tires became worth it for me when a child found his way out in front of my car just out of a blind curve.. I locked up all 4 and stoped less than 10 feet in front of him. I've never felt stoping like that before. I'm sure his mother is greatful too.

Similar Products Used:

BFGoodrich Gatorbacks

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 15, 2003]
Al Shariff
Model Reviewed: 2003 Matrix XRS

Strength:

- Great Adhesion (wet traction is almost as good as dry traction from an all-season. This translates into incredible stopping distances - Very responsive and quiet (This tire doesn't squeal when cornering hard) - Incredible traction in wet conditions

Weakness:

-No weaknesses for summer use

These tires are perfect summer tires. They handle better than any all-season tire in dry and wet conditions. This is a SUMMER tire, so please don't try using it in the snow!!!!! In order to really understand how good this tire is, look at the stopping distances between the Vibe GT and Matrix XRS. The Matrix stops in a considerably shorter distance than the Vibe GT from 60 Mph, even though both vehicles share the same breaking system and are very close in weight. The only difference is in the tires.

Similar Products Used:

I've only used all seasons such as: Michelin XGT V4, MXV4, and X one Yokohama Avid H4

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Feb 12, 2003]
SageJMP
Model Reviewed: 1997 Mustang

Strength:

Rain Handling Corner Power

These tires are excellent for street tires down in the south. These babies hold in the rain very well, especially since Mustangs seem to have rain troubles, these tires helped out a lot. Plus these tires have excellent grip for its price. My car gained a whole new attitude once these were put on.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Feb 05, 2003]
Darken1
Model Reviewed: 2003 Toyota Matrix

Strength:

None...Unless you Drag Race in your car

Weakness:

Zero Traction in Snow and Ice. Horrible treadlife...might last 15,000 miles..POOR Warranty.

What was Toyota thinking installing these tires on a vehicle like the Matrix?!? These tires came delivered in the Northeastern part of the country in the middle of winter. They have ZERO traction in snow or ice, I can see why ABS is standard with these tires as you will be sliding everywhere. We have had trouble in as little as an inch of snow! No treadlife warranty means you might get a year out of them. Only hard core racers need apply for these tires. And Toyota take a hint...don't deliver these with a Matrix, customers who want these tires would buy them seperately. Most people who spend $18,000 on a hatchback want safety not speed.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Jan 16, 2003]
Brocke
Model Reviewed: 2003 matrix

Weakness:

no traction

This is the worst performing tire i have ever had, for use on snow and ice. I have not found the performance to be all that great on dry/wet or any kind of road.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Dec 27, 2001]
2BULAR
Model Reviewed: 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT SL

Strength:

Handling, Ride, Quietness

Weakness:

ABSOLUTELY NONE!

I have owned Continentals, Firestone 721, Goodyears, Pirellis, Yokohamas, and the car came with Michelins VGTs. After having the Firestone 721s a long time ago I swore that I would never buy another Firestone product, then I started read some good things about this specific tire. These SZ50EPs are made in Japan and are without a doubt the FINEST tire I have ever owned! The 3000 GT was capable of spinning the Michelins anywhere in 1st gear and sometimes 2nd on any dry surface. These SZ50EPs will not even break loose on wet pavement. They are extremely quiet and fabulously responsive. While the Michelins would practically roll under in a tight hard turn the SZ50EPs laugh and scream for more. I had the tire dealer do a “roll out force” test prior to mounting the tires on the car. This test is an indication of how much force the car has to exert to get the tires rolling and how smooth the tire treads are. The SZ50EPs tested at 9 lbs. The Michelins tested at 15 lbs. when they were new. This is proof that the tires are smooth and quiet. We have not had any snow yet so I cannot speak to their winter traction. Be sure to shop the price. Some dealers are not aware of the SZ50EP RF (run flat) and will quote those instead.

Similar Products Used:

Michelins XGT, Yokohama S305

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 01, 2001]
Tbird SC Owner

Strength:

Quiet ride, smooth ride, outstanding handling

Weakness:

NONE

This is unquestionably the best overall performance tire I've ever used in 12 years with the same car (Tbird SC). Handling and grip are outstanding, yet it's also NOTICEABLY quieter than any other tire I've used. Plus, the price is better than its competitors! No faults whatsoever with this tire!

Similar Products Used:

Gooyear Eagle GT, Goodrich Comp T/A, Dunlop D40/M2

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 22, 2001]
Yannis
Model Reviewed: 1997 Acura 3.0 CL

Strength:

Super Sticky rubber, fantastic lateral grip in the Dry. Looks like it means business. Pretty good Price

Weakness:

Weak sidewall, pretty good but not excellent in the rain, wear

I've had my 225 45 17" SZ50 EP's for about 9 months now, put on about 20K (Kilometres) mostly highway and they are about half done. Since I'm in Toronto they haven't seen any winter either, make sure you put your snow tires on early, cause these are not all seasons, you'll slide right through an intersection if there's even a hint of snow. (don't ask, I know)
These are the ultimate tires in the dry, can't make them squeal even if you try. in the wet however, they do hydroplane a bit, I was mislead to believe these were superior wet weather tires by it's indy rain tire heritage. They're good but not great. for the money though, $175 Cdn each, they can't be beat, same rubber as the Bridgstone Potenza Pole Positions, very similar performance at half the price. Nuff said.

Similar Products Used:

Muuch better than stock MXV4 Plus tires

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
Showing 1-10 of 28  

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