245/50R16 tires
Prices, best picks and current deals for 245/50R16, a common size on performance cars. It fits the Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z, Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Pontiac Firebird Trans Am GTA and more.
Yes, this fits your Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. 245/50R16 is the original size on the 1989 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.
The sticker inside the driver's door is still the final word, because trim and wheel package can change the size. Back to every Pontiac Firebird Trans Am size.
What 245/50R16 tires cost
Nankang NS-2
Lowest price that still brakes and wears acceptably. Fine for a second car or low annual mileage.
Falken Ziex ZE960
The value sweet spot: long mileage warranty, solid wet grip, sane price.
Listed as Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S UHP All Season 245/50R16 97W Passenger Tires
Bridgestone Potenza G009
The strongest wet and snow braking and the longest tread life among what is stocked in this size. Worth it if you keep the car.
Listed as Bridgestone Potenza G009 245/50R16 97H All Season Passenger Tires
Prices are per tire, before mounting and balancing. A set of four in the mid range comes to roughly $500 to $574, and a brand rebate can take another $50 to $110 off, see this month's deals.
Cheapest 245/50R16 right now
Kumho Ecsta PA31 245/50R16 97V UHP Passenger Tires
$124.99per tire $249.98 for 2 tires · $499.96 for 4
5 tires in this size, priced straight from SimpleTire's own product feed, read 13 November 2026. Stock and prices move daily, so check the shop for today's figure.
See every 245/50R16 tire in stock at SimpleTire
About the 245/50R16 size
The IROC-Z and GTA size, 245/50VR16 on a 16x8 wheel, originally the unidirectional Goodyear Eagle VR50 Gatorback. That tire is long out of production and nothing replicates its directional tread, so owners either accept a modern pattern or pay for new-old-stock. 245/50R16 is also the front of the 1987 GNX staggered set, with 255/50R16 at the rear. No bias-ply or whitewall relevance. Availability is better than any 15 in performance size but the premium brands have thinned out, so expect Firestone, BFGoodrich and value brands rather than Michelin or Continental. Original rating was V; most current options are V or W.
What the numbers on the sidewall mean
A 245/50R16 tire is 245 millimeters wide, its sidewall is 50 percent of that (about 4.8 inches tall), and it mounts on a 16-inch wheel. That works out to an overall diameter of roughly 25.6 inches. Every replacement has to match all three numbers, and the load index and speed rating on the placard inside the driver's door have to be met or exceeded.
In this size our picks are marked 97W on the Falken Ziex ZE960 (1,609 lb per tire, rated to 168 mph) and 97H on the Bridgestone Potenza G009 (1,609 lb per tire, rated to 130 mph). The first number is the load index, the letter the speed rating; a tire with equal or higher values than your placard is fine, a lower one is not.
Our guide on reading a tire size walks through the markings, and this one lists every load index and speed code.
What 245/50R16 tires cost across the whole range
Of the 9 tires listed in this size, 5 are in stock today. The lowest price is the Kumho Ecsta PA31 at $124.99, a 97V tire. The median is $126.99; a third of the tires cost $124.99 or less, and the top five percent start above $226.99. Those are per-tire prices before mounting and balancing, which adds $15 to $45 per tire at most shops, read from the retailer's feed Nov 13, 2026.
Vehicles that use 245/50R16
- Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z (1985-1990)
- Chevrolet Camaro Z28 (1991-1992)
- Pontiac Firebird Trans Am GTA (1987-1992)
- Pontiac Firebird Trans Am (1989, Turbo TA)
- Buick GNX (1987, front)
Other years and wheel packages of the same models came on 225/70R15, 235/60R15 or 255/60R15 instead, so read the placard inside the driver's door before you order.
Which type of 245/50R16 tire?
All-Season Tires
Drivers in the South, West Coast and mild parts of the Midwest who want one set of tires that lasts a long time and is quiet.
Summer Tires
Sports-car and performance-sedan owners, and anyone in a warm climate who wants the best possible grip and steering.
Performance Tires
Owners of sports sedans, hot hatches and performance crossovers who want year-round tires with real handling.
Frequently asked questions
How much do 245/50R16 tires cost?
Expect $125–$125 per tire for a budget brand, $125–$143 for a mid-range tire like the Falken Ziex ZE960, and $143–$227 for a premium tire like the Bridgestone Potenza G009. A set of four therefore starts at about $500. Add roughly $15 to $45 per tire for mounting and balancing.
What vehicles use 245/50R16 tires?
245/50R16 is original equipment on Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z (1985-1990), Chevrolet Camaro Z28 (1991-1992), Pontiac Firebird Trans Am GTA (1987-1992), Pontiac Firebird Trans Am (1989, Turbo TA) and Buick GNX (1987, front), among others. Always confirm with the sticker inside your driver's door, because trim levels and wheel packages can change the size.
What is the best 245/50R16 tire?
For most drivers our mid-range pick, the Falken Ziex ZE960, is the sweet spot of price and tread life. If you keep the vehicle a long time or drive in heavy rain and snow, the Bridgestone Potenza G009 is worth the extra. On a tight budget the Nankang NS-2 is a sound choice.
Can I replace just one or two 245/50R16 tires?
On a front- or rear-wheel-drive car, yes: replace in pairs on the same axle and put the newer pair on the rear. On all-wheel-drive vehicles most makers want all four replaced together, or a new tire shaved to match, because a difference in circumference strains the drivetrain.