Ok, well it's been 10k mi and I realized those nice Advans I bought last summer are out of tread, and while I'm at it the stock Bridgestones up front could use replacing.

I had a set of Falken RT-615 on my civic and loved them, but I put them on a month before I sold the car and never had to drive them in the rain...... but I can get a set of four for $500 shipped in the right sizing, which I was thinking about going with a (F)225/45/17

 

The tire sizing you're thinking about is pretty popular, and should increase grip a bit.

I havent actually used any of these tires so these are just observations based on what others have said. Azenis dont normally do all that well in the rain. If you're concerned enough to be asking how they do, they're probably not the right tire for you. I dont believe any street tire should be considered dangerous in the rain, but I always back off when driving in water. Don't really know anything about the Nitto's.

From what you describe, your best bet may be to actually get the stock AP2 tires, the Bridgestone RE050's. They have good dry grip, good wet grip and should easily last you much more than a year.

 

I replaced my stock potenza's (AP2) with the RE750 version - same handling (per tirerack and my opinion) and a large jump in treadlife- 140 vs 340. THey are around 600 for 4 off the net.

I do not race my car or track it- so my opinions are based off spirited street driving (obeying all laws)

 

I've run 2 sets of 615s in that stagger...I got about 5-6k miles and about 30 autox runs before they were dead (and actually the first set had about 3 days at the Dragon too). They were a bit dicy in the rain, especially as the tread goes. Pretty ok up to 65mph in the rain but exponentially more scary the faster you go after that.

No experience with those Nittos.

Might want to look at the Sumitomo HTR Z III tires...TireRack gave them a really great review and they seem to be very affordable at about $100/tire.

 

I was set to buy the 615's myself, but am seriously contemplating the Sumitomos. I just wish there were some sets out there with miles that people would report on. Can't beat the price though. TireRack will ship you the Sumitomos in the size you're looking at for about 100 cheaper than the 615's run from another popular online tire seller.

 

The sumitomos have the slimmest sidewalls. I went for a ride in my friend's AP1 before I bought my own and we would hit a corner, be riding on the sidewalls and have the car correct itself by an inch or two, you could feel it jerk back into place. SCARY

I don't auto-x, but I do plan on buying a set of AP1 wheels this summer and putting some serious tires on them, these will be for the street with spirited driving, nothing too crazy. I think I'm going with the RT-615s. I can get a set of four for $500.

 

My rain issue is just that with the occasional bit of rain (Richmond, Norfolk, VA) I don't want to have to pull over every time there is any water.

I do slow to no more than 65mph or where I feel safe when it's raining though.

 

Which Sumitomos did your friend have? How long ago was it? The HTR Z III's are a pretty new tire and supposed to be much different/better than the previous generations. Also, I'm not sure what you mean by "they have the slimmest sidewalls". Shouldn't a 255/40/17 have the same aspect ratios regardless of brand?

 

I meant the sidewalls were too weak, you are right about the ratios. They bent like hell, this was 14mo ago... i think. He had AP1 rims, I forget the size, 225/50/16?

 

If you're not competing for times, and you will certainly be driving in the rain, there's no good reason to give up that much wet traction.

RE050A Pole Position
or
Hankook RS2 Z212 (MUCH cheaper, VERY good tire wet/dry)