OK, I know I'll get some heat for this, but I too won't replace the OEM tires w/something comparable.

Here's my reasoning, and I've applied it to my Fiero GT for years with great success.

Tire traction on the dry is what most manufacturers strive for.

However, a tire designed for the wet is significantly more capable in rainy and snow conditions while only losing a small percentage on the dry!

Therefore, I want tires that will be totally predictable and lenient in wet conditions, because as a driver, that's when I'm most likely to overjudge...

I know the limits when it's dry and push them frequently, I drive rather enjoyably on the snow, but in the wet, with so many other speeding motorists, I'm more likely to not back off enough, or take that turn to quickly, etc.

Therefore, I spent plenty of time at www.TireRack.com researching their customer ratings and the UTQG and came up with the following lower cost options with about 87% of the dry traction, and at least 2.5x the treadwear rating!

Original Bridgestone (for comparison basis--note a surprisingly high wet rating defeating my original intention)
Potenza S02 140,A,A Dry: 9.4 Wet: 8.2 Corner: 9.2
Treadwear: 6.3 V-rated (149 mph)
$190ish

Dunlop SPSport5000 Asym 340,AA,A Dry: ? Wet: ? Corner: ?
Treadwear: ? H,V,W-rated (W=168)
very good comments include good wet traction (not enough respondents for ratings yet?)
205/55WR16 $93 225/50WR16 $99

Michelin Pilot XGT H4 400,A,A Dry: 8.2 Wet: 7.7 Corner: 7.3
Treadwear: 7.3 H-rated (130)
205/55HR16 $102 225/50HR16 $119

Pirelli P7000SuperSport 320,A,A Dry: 8.2 Wet: 7.9 Corner: 8
Treadwear: 7.1 Z-rated (149+)
205/55WR16 $114 225/50WR16 $121

What have people been getting out of the S02's? 10,000 miles or so?

That's nearly $1000 a year in tires alone!

If you can at least double that, and pay half, that would average $250 a year for nearly the same performance...

All of the above tires has comments raving about them from Acura NSX owners, as well as other high-performance cars.

Note however, the H-rated Michelin tires are NOT designed for high-speed use, but if you're never going to go over 100 mph, they might be your choice despite that. Just be aware that they aren't designed to handle the higher heat and stress of faster speeds and you don't want a blow-out at 135 MPH!!!

So, there are some lower-cost options, and as my Fiero will need new shoes before the S2000 I intend to test things there (also a roughly 50/50 weight ratio RWD great handling car).

Hope this helps,

Randy

 

Thanks Randy. Good summary. I figured I'd post a quickie before you catch heat for it. S2K owners bought their car for several different uses and reasons.
Most are totally in love with its power, handling, capabilities etc, and many would NEVER compromise by buying other tires. Those people will not benefit from your info.
Howwever, there is a group who got the car b/c they appreciate all the capabilities, but will likely never really push the limits (like most SUV drivers never get off-road). That is the group that may benefit from better all-around tires instead of the full-on performance tires.
Ijust received my S-02 rear replacements this week and will be mounting them in the next week or so at just over 12k miles. Expensive habit, but it is worth it TO ME and my sense of security, but the again, thats just me.
Thanks again for the information though, I may just have to get another set of rims and use "commute" tires for regular use.

[This message has been edited by yu888 (edited January 12, 2001).]

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Randy
[B]Therefore, I spent plenty of time at www.TireRack.com