Over the weekend I replaced my badly worn stock tires with Yokohama A520s. The decision was based on price and local availability.I intend to replace all four at a later date with OEM S-02s from the Tire Rack. I had serious hydroplaning problems in our wet weather and needed something right away. I found the wet performance to be very good after a few miles of break in.

Today I tried out my new rears on my favorite "skidpad" and a few twisties. Until they warm up the A520s are just as slippery as a cold S-02. Once warmed the dry traction was better than I expected. They are nowhere as good as the stock tires for stickness but the A520s have some good qualities. As you approach this tire's limit the eventual break is both predictable and smooth without any "snap" oversteer. Once into a slide countersteering or more throttle puts the car where you want it. I both let off abruptly and applied "panic" brakes to upset the car while drifting to see the result. Panic breaking will send the car into an avoidable spin. Recovery was still possible. On the second deliberate attempt to upset the car I abruptly let off the throttle. The back end swung but caught without further drift.
In short you will not reach the traction limits available to you with the S-02 but the compromise will result in a little better tire wear at a lower price. It is not a good solution for anyone who pushes the car very hard. I would stick with the stocks and learn how to handle what happens at "the limits". All in all I was very pleased. The car feels a little more flingable not unlike a supercharged Miata.

 

Thanks for the good post, svann. Did you replace all four, or just the rears?

 

My S-02s are still hanging in there up front (at 13k).
Next time we get standing water I'll see if they are still safe in the wet. I'm curious to see what A520s on all four corners will do. With the amount of wear on the stock fronts I suspect I'll see some improvement if I replace them.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by svann
[B]My S-02s are still hanging in there up front (at 13k).
Next time we get standing water I'll see if they are still safe in the wet. I'm curious to see what A520s on all four corners will do. With the amount of wear on the stock fronts I suspect I'll see some improvement if I replace them.

 

[/B][/QUOTE]

Using A520s on all four corners would probably make the car less flingable. I suspect the that even the worn S-02s on front are still grippier (because of the really soft rubber that the OEMs use) than a new of A520s. Do you concur? [/B][/QUOTE]
Actually well worn S-02s aren't very grippy at all. The A520s have much better traction than the worn tires. I need to replace the fronts before too long. The Yokohamas are nearly as soft. They don't wear much better than stock tires but of course they only cost $100 each.