Does anyone have any experience with this latest version of the Proxes? Especially if it is on an S. I am about to need a new set of rears and frankly...I don't really like some things about the S02's, I have heard to many negitive things about the S03's to trust them blindly and I find it hard to believe that Bridgestone is the only tire company capable of producing a tire worthy of the S2000.

 

I have toyo proxes t1-s and I like them. I don't really drive this car to the absolute limit, but I drive it pretty hard sometimes.

 

got 'em on my '02... went oversized - 245 on back, 225 on front - when you run them at the right pressures, they do a nice job - definitely grippy, DEFINITELY better in the rain. haven't really had 'em out in hot weather yet, or reallllly pushed them hard, but all indications so far say that they're going to get better. any sliding i've had has been predictable (as opposed to the grip-grip-grip-GONE feel of the s-02's) and easily controlled. i do believe i'd recommend them.

 

This may be no help, but a lot of the UK/JDM Subaru WRX folk used to run those T1-S on the old-bodystyle cars, and they were always highly praised. And just about everyone over here who has bought them really enjoys them. Plus, Toyo has won the tire manufacturer of the year awards a few times now I think, which... should count for something.

I personally just had to replace my OEM tires on the Impreza, but I stopped by TireRack in Indiana on the way back from an Easter trip, and they don't resell Toyo. Ended up with a set of Dunlop SP9000s, but.... next time I may go with Toyo.

 

Sorry to break up the "Toyo Love fest" But I hated them on the GS-R and the MR-2 Turbo! I hate soft sidewalls, because of the loss of feel they cause. The Toyos are about as soft as they come. If you still have the S-02s up front, I'd suggest that you may encounter a dangerous handling situation. The S-02 and the RE-010 are similar in construction (very stiff sidewalls) and the MR-2 had them stock. When I tried to put RE-71s on the back with the 010s up front, it was so scary, I went one block and took them back! The softer sidewalls on the rear caused the car to "sway" in the rear! Very unnerving to have your sports car steer like a forklift! FWIW the Toyo RA-1 which is their autox tire, also has pretty soft sidewalls, softer than the S-02. Sticky compound, but sloppy handling. Also, it should be noted, I push pretty hard and expect a lot from my tires.

See my post in a previous thread

 

The Speedvision Touring Car Championship uses the Toyo T1-S as their race tires. One of the drivers in the series, Jon Prall, is happy with the Toyos. With Jon's permission, I'm copy and pasting his e-mail:


I race in world challenge on the T1-s (I have to) and have done lots of testing on the T1s. While they are not the best racing tire, they are by far the best performing street tire on the track I have seen yet. I've been on the track with most of the normal high perf (and expensive) street tires and the Toyo proxes t1-s are a far better open track day tire than any of those.

Jon Prall
#78 World Challenge Touring Car

 

Everyone has an opinion. For me the soft sidewalls used in Toyo tires introduce a delay in response I would rather not have. Nicer ride, fine grip, but sloppy feeling IMO.

 

Thanks for the input everyone. Since the fronts still have a bit of life left in them, I guess I am in a bit of a pickle unless I splurge and buy a set of 4 tires.

This comment begs a question, though. I have read throught past threads on mixing S02's and S03's. It seems that more poeple were happy with them than weren't. However, wouldn't the same situation arise from that combo as would from S02's and Proxes?

 

This is very strange! Seems like some people absolutely love the proxes and some just hate them. I wonder if everyone is talking about the same tires? I mean the toyo proxes T1-S (not the Toyo Proxes T1 or something else) and also in the proper size (245/45 rear). It's starting to bother me why there's such a difference of opinion on this tire. I've used the tire on my prelude and never for a moment thought that it had a soft sidewall. I don't race but drive pretty hard, specially on the ramps/etc. and never felt any sidewall flex. I need a new set of summer tires for my S2k and still haven't been able to make a decision. I know I don't want the S02k, so my choice is between the S03 or the T1-S. As for S03, same problem - some love it some hate it. I guess it all depends on how you drive and where but still it's almost a 50-50 split in opinions which is not very helpful :-( So, what would be the best tire other than the S02 for street driving? I'm completely lost :-(

 

I feel your pain mas. There is one comforting thought, however. Not only are the Proxes a good bit less expensive than the S03's (or even the OEM S02's), they have a 500 mile test drive guarantee. I am leaning toward taking them up on it.