Need new rears, I've read through the sizing posts but was wondering if anyone has had experience with either of these:

Kuhmo ECSTA Supra 712
-----or-----
Yokohama AVS ES100

The front tires are OEM, I'd like to keep the handling of the car just about where it is OEM or would it just be best to go with S-02's again. I'd like to maybe get just a little more grip, the car isn't driven often in the rain and never in the snow so I'm looking for primarily dry weather tire.

 

The other tires you mention will not be close in handling to the S02. The ES100 would be better than the Kumho but not close to the S02.
If I can help let me know.
Thank you

Jim 800-428-8355-364

 

I've owned all three and the ES100 is close to the SO2 in my opinion, but the 712's are not. In a recent Consumer Reports test, the ES100 scored as well as the best ultra tires for dry grip, but only average for wet, which seems OK for you. When my ES100's reached the wear bars, they still did not hydroplane or slip any more than when new. For me, losing that little bit of dry traction was worth it to gain a more predictable rear end, 25-50% more tread life, and much lower cost. However, if you are a super aggressive driver, I would stick with the SO2 rear until your fronts wear out at the same time.

 

If you have some front tread left, get another set of SO-2's, no question about it. I had AVS's and switched back to SO-2's today and there has been such an improvement...I love it

 

My fronts still have quite a lot of tread left. I am an occasional aggresive driver if one can even exist. I am gathering that there might be problems if I keep the S-02 in the front and go with something different for the rear.

 

If you go with the AVS ES100's, they are fairly inexpensive, I would just buy all four as I did when I changed over to them at 12k miles

 

That right now seems to be the route I'm going to take. I have 9000 miles and the rears are pretty thin but I'm going to park it for the winter here very shortly and pick up new tires for the spring.

 

Sounds like a good idea to me...just don't take it out over the winter and get stuck in the snow, even 1/8 of an inch is treacherous, believe me I tried it once and I was not a happy camper