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126k miles and counting. I went on a 2,000 mile road trip in June and I'm getting ready to go on a 1,200 mile trip in Oct and will likely have another 2,000 mile trip later in the fall. In preparation for all the extra driving, I had the front end rebuilt using a 16pc Suspension Dudes kit. Hopefully the polyurethane bushings hold up better than the OEM rubber stuff. I had a shop put the kit in. The handling was noticeably better in turns, albeit a little less cushy than stock. I was having an odd grabbing sensation from the front tires when I was backing up though, and since the install I've been getting absolutely horrible gas mileage. Even worse than the usual bad gas mileage. It also looked like the tires were facing too much inward (toe) so I brought the car to Tire Discounters for an alignment. As I suspected there was over 1° too much toe on both front wheels. Now no more grabbing when backing up and I'm already seeing 5mpg better on this tank of gas. So much for that alignment that was done when the kit was installed. I also got new front tires. Went with the same 245/45-20 Nitto Motivos I had before since I got 45k miles out of them, which is pretty damn good for a 4,000lb pig of a sedan. With the kit, the alignment and new tires it feels so much better on the road now.
Glad the Motivo work well for you, hated them on our Flex.
Ours are 255/45-20 & the Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ were a huge improvement over the Nitto.
Shocking that the N/A 3.5 V6 Flex has wider tires than the V8 Charger
Saphire is one fine bitch...
thanks for showing us under her petticoat
You've seen what's under her bonnet, so I figured you were already halfway there.
Originally Posted by 00TL-P3.2
Glad the Motivo work well for you, hated them on our Flex.
Ours are 255/45-20 & the Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ were a huge improvement over the Nitto.
Shocking that the N/A 3.5 V6 Flex has wider tires than the V8 Charger
Dodge is notorious for using too small of a tire on their cars. I am running 275s on the rear, which is the same width the Scat Packs and non-wide body Hellcats come with!
That's crazy that we have had completely different experiences with the Motivos. What did you not like about them? They've been great for me. I'm considering getting them on the rear too when the Atturo AZ850s are done.
Now the Nitto G2 555s were a different story. Even the 305/35-20s I could spin with minimum effort. Zero grip for me, but others rave about them.
The Motivo came on the Flex when we bought it, so I did not experience them new. IIRC, we got almost another 20k on them before jumping to the Michelin PS AS3+.
Going from the work Motivo to the new AS3+ was a massive difference in grip, dry and wet. We get some monsoon weather here, so wet grip is always a priority (and something sorely lacking on with the Defenders on the Malibu).
The Motivo came on the Flex when we bought it, so I did not experience them new. IIRC, we got almost another 20k on them before jumping to the Michelin PS AS3+.
Going from the work Motivo to the new AS3+ was a massive difference in grip, dry and wet. We get some monsoon weather here, so wet grip is always a priority (and something sorely lacking on with the Defenders on the Malibu).
I'm sure the PS AS3+ are better tires in the rain. The Motivos aren't the greatest as far as that goes. They are considered all season tires, but they perform more like a summer tire.
Originally Posted by justnspace
awesome that you kept the car this long!
Thanks man! I'm still amazed I've had it this long. Next May it'll be 9 years.
I think my 2G TL was my longest run with a single car. Had it about 5 years, IIRC. Got it in 2010 & sold/traded it when we got the Flex in 2015.
Saturn from college was probably the 2nd, at about 3 years. Car that wouldn't die. Drove it like a racecar literally everywhere, 2 accidents & a few scuffs. Getting T-boned by an Escape did it in, bent the RR wheels over about 30*
06-23-2021, 09:13 AM
You've seen what's under her bonnet, so I figured you were already halfway there.
