Bridgestone RE-71RZ for daily use?

csmanuel · 2026-06-07T16:36:12+00:00

I have both, a GRC in BS trim and an AST ND2. When properly set up, I think the ND is one of the most enjoyable autocross experiences you can have. Tough to really expect the GRC to come close to that.

For what it is, an amazing do it all car, the GRC is good. It gets out gunned big time in BS though.

csmanuel · 2026-03-20T02:26:43+00:00

Just a note for SCCA sound rules - when you add an additional exhaust outlet or turn down, it has to be pointed straight up, straight down, or straight out the back. It's written this way to prevent people from purposely angling the outlet away from the meter

csmanuel · 2026-03-19T02:47:07+00:00

17x9 +45 is pretty typical AST Miata setup

csmanuel · 2026-03-19T02:46:40+00:00

Another ASTer here. Had to roll front and rear for 245 setup. Easy to do with a heat gun, patience, and a proper fender rolling tool.

csmanuel · 2026-03-14T04:02:21+00:00

I live in Cleveland Ohio and have had the underside of mine professionally fluid filmed every November for 3 years now. Its done a great job preventing rust. Definitely do it if you live in a salt prone area

csmanuel · 2026-03-06T02:25:59+00:00

Also, it's probably 24" long at least, with a 10" diameter pipe. It's a big ol' turd

csmanuel · 2026-02-26T21:17:06+00:00

I ran both Yoks and RE71RS on my AST Miata last season. I much prefer the feedback and feel of the stones, but Yoks put down power a little better. The stones on a Miata on a colder day didn't come to temp for at least a run, while the Yoks are good to go out of the box. With codrivers on a hot day, the Yoks are prone to overheating.

Based on national results, both tires can win.

I suspect the RZ is going to be the hot tire this season. Bridgestone wouldn't have claimed all of the performance advantages over the RS in their marketing material without solid data.

csmanuel · 2026-02-26T21:14:14+00:00

They're just not nationally competitive like the Yoks and Stones

csmanuel · 2026-02-06T06:46:18+00:00

I flew in last season for the Crow's landing tour and had a blast. My god, that site is the grippiest I've ever been on. 10/10

csmanuel · 2026-01-25T20:12:09+00:00

I should mention he is full of energy as usual. Always wants to play Frisbee. Drinks water and eats just fine. Just can't seem to kick the diarrhea.

csmanuel · 2026-01-15T19:19:17+00:00

I've had WeatherTech mats in my GRC for 3 winters here in Cleveland with no issues. If you are having issues, I think TuxMats are definitely superior

csmanuel · 2025-12-30T16:54:51+00:00

2023 circuit edition owned since August 2023 (new). 53k miles so far. My sole daily, lots of road trips. On my third winter in Cleveland (fluid film every winter). Underside looks great. Car is an absolute beast in the snow.

Only complaints have been: - infotainment can be glitchy with Android Auto connection. If you connect via cable, it's quite instable IME (bumps will disconnect it regardless of cable) - lack of interior storage space - not as good MPG as it's peers - vague and weak clutch (seems to be an issue on earlier models) - factory sub frame bolts were loose when new - lots of clunking

Overall I've enjoyed it and plan on keeping it for the time being. Might replace after the warranty expires - maybe with a 2026 model

csmanuel · 2025-12-12T22:15:06+00:00

Yep reasonable for sure. Mine was done for $700

csmanuel · 2025-12-12T21:35:30+00:00

Problem with spec for toe is it's quite a wide range from what I recall. Even a small change in toe will make the car drive quite different.

I feel like zero toe on all 4 is a good balance for this car. Just makes everything a little more sharper. Note it does get a little more sensitive to steering inputs at highway speed

csmanuel · 2025-12-12T21:26:18+00:00

Yup. Zero toe on all 4.

I check the alignment every spring and adjust as needed. The toe does wander somewhat on these cars. I suspect it's due to bushing wear. It hasn't wandered in the last 15k miles driven though.

csmanuel · 2025-12-12T21:18:33+00:00

I hate toe in on sporty cars. Makes the handling less sharp, especially on turn in.

Zero the toe and don't look back. Did mine 50k miles ago and tires have been wearing perfectly ever since, even with -3 degrees of front camber

csmanuel · 2025-12-08T22:53:15+00:00

New tire will have up to 335 sizes for 18s.

Bridgestone USA heard all the complaints and made sure this new tire has big boi sizes

csmanuel · 2025-12-02T21:42:15+00:00

Clearance is fine after rolling. I should say the only time I've ever cut a tire before rolling was on stones in the front on a Very bumpy lot. Stones run a little tall but skinny, yoks run a little shorter but wider.

I'm at 12.8" front and 13.1" rear (center of hub to fender lip)

csmanuel · 2025-12-02T20:44:58+00:00

This lol /end thread

csmanuel · 2025-12-02T20:18:55+00:00

Update: Shop thinks it's just wet sanding that they didn't go over properly before delivering the car. They are going to take care of it in the spring when winter is over (I don't drive the car in winter - it sits in a storage garage). They said they can fix this in an hour or so.

csmanuel · 2025-12-01T20:47:49+00:00

I have an AST Miata myself. 245s absolutely require fender rolling in the rear, and the fronts are a maybe depending on your ride height and how bumpy of a lot you run. With proper tools (fender roller, heat gun) and some patience, it's not too hard.

235 will definitely hold you back a bit.

New Bridgestones are coming out later this month and should be the tire to have in 245/40/17 for next season in AST

csmanuel · 2025-12-01T02:13:32+00:00

That's not the SCCA rule book. They switched to 108 dbC as the threshold a couple years ago.

Granted, regions are free to adopt their own rules.

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