Best current all-season "performance" tire

In reply to wbjones:

Yes, I desperately need some!

3 season tire? Firestone Firehawk Indy 500. I liked these on my Saturn. If you need a 4 season tire (snow) I'd look at Cooper CS4.

We've had both Falken 912's and Kumho 4X's on her Mazda3 in 225/45/18, for non winter use (April through November here in PA). The Kumhos are a bit quieter and wearing a bit better, but both have been very good overall, I was particularly impressed with the Falkens in the wet, but the Kumhos are about as good in the wet, but slightly worse in the dry. I'd say you can't go wrong with either.

For a 195/55/15, why not just go with a 205/50/15, much better and more choices in that size from my experience with years of Hondas and Miatas.

dj06482 wrote: The Continental DW/DWS always comes up as a top all-season performance tire. Pick if you need snow traction or not.

I have them (DWS) on two vehicles now and will put them on the other one when it needs new tires. They work great in all kinds of weather.

Also 205/50/15 is only 1.3% smaller than the 195/55 (less than 1 mph speedo difference).

The wheels are pretty narrow, not sure the specs, but a 195 seems pretty fat on them already. Not sure if the 205 would help...plus there's a decent selection in the 195 size. I don't need any snow tires...I live in VA Beach so it only snows a couple times. Sounds like the Falken or Kumho options would be a good bet.

SilverFleet wrote: I went with Kumho Ecsta PA31's about 9000 miles ago on my Mazda. They were really cheap. So far, so good. They handle decent, are quiet on the highway, and have worn very well so far.

I agree with the use of these tires. Had them for about 10K miles and am very pleased.

Hal wrote:

dj06482 wrote: The Continental DW/DWS always comes up as a top all-season performance tire. Pick if you need snow traction or not.

I have them (DWS) on two vehicles now and will put them on the other one when it needs new tires. They work great in all kinds of weather.

Very unfortunately, the DW/DWS do not come in 15" sizes. I wish they did.

wbjones wrote:

Matt B wrote:

wbjones wrote:

DuctTape&Bondo wrote:

dj06482 wrote: The Continental DW/DWS always comes up as a top all-season performance tire. Pick if you need snow traction or not.

Was going to recommend as well but doesn't look like they're made in the size he requires.

they're not … if they came in 15's … a lot of us would have had them for rain tires in ST

Really? They're better than a summer tire with decent tread? Not arguing btw - as I've never driven, let alone autocrossed on them.

disclaimer: I have never used them … but that's what Andy Hollis has recommended for several yrs

Good enough for me then. lol

I find the CS4 to handle anything you can do on the street without unwanted attention from the law. As far as AutoX, im not so sure. But those have been replaced with the new CS5.

My last good AS performance tire was the Bridgestone potenza RE 960 AS. Great tire, but has been updated to the 970. It also wore out after 2 summers, so short life.