Re: THE Tire Review Sticky
Kumho Ecsta Supra 712's 205/40/ZR17 - Ultra High-Performance Summer
Price: ~$125/ea
Pros: Extremely good grip on dry pavement (warm and cold). Very low noise up to 130 MPH... Can take 90* corners up to 80 MPH without squeeling.
Cons:
- Treadwear: 260, had about 80% tread on them when I go them, drove on them hard for about 10k miles and now they are worn out.
- Hydroplaning: Only have a single center channel for water. When the tread was newer they were okay in the rain, but now they hydroplane on everything.
- So sticky they pick up tons of sand at low speed and you get to listen to it hit your fenders.
- Rim protector isn't very effective.
Buy Again? If I actually needed the traction I would but them in a heart beat, but the cost and treadwear aren't suitable for my use. Note: I believe Kumho has discontinued these.
Toyo Spectrum 1xx/6x/R14 All-Season Passenger
Price: Free! They came off of a junked Integra
Pros: Great treadwear for the traction (mid-500's), very quiet, good in snow, rain
Cons: Great for regular driving, not for agressive cornering.
Buy Again? If I had a family maybe, not enough grip for my driving habits, but they're great for in between snow tires and summer tires.
Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 185/65/R14
Price: $80-100/ea
Pros: EXCELLENT snow and ice traction for a studless tire!
Cons: Tirewear between snowfalls/warm weather in horrible. Can get noisy on dry highways at 55+ mph. Steering feels very loose and unresponsive because of the large sidewall and squishy tire compound. Makes your car look like it has offroad truck tires.
Buy Again? Yes. I've had my set for about 6 years now and they have maybe 1 or 2 seasons left of tread. It get's tiring to change them when it isn't snowing but for the cost and life of the tire it's worth it!
Yokohama AVID A4
Price: $80/ea
Pros: Meh.
Cons: I was not impressed by these tires at all. They squealed around corners at >25 mph and they had horrible treadwear for their traction/performance. The tires are discontinued now, but Yokohma has different models in their Avid line now.
Buy Again: No. My friend put newer model AVIDs on his Camry and said they were fine, but my experience has turned me away from Yokohama.