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So need two sets of 17" tires for daily driving with a little bit of bite (<300 treadwear) that will probably never be autocrossed or test-n-tuned for the IS and SI.

I'd like something decent in heavy rain and not too noisy. If they last 15-20k I'd be happy. I'd like to stay around $100-125 per tire if possible.

Any ideas?

thanks!

Dunlop Z1 star specs. My daily driver tires on the STi.

Liz has Continental Extremesomething DW on hers. They're also good so far.

I put the Yoko S.Drives on the M3 and have been pretty happy with them. I think they consider them a ultra high perf summer tire, but they won't win any ST class autocrosses. They are non-directional so you can do easy rotations, but evac water reasonably, too. After 5-6k miles, they are showing some inner edge wear due to aggressive alignment (-3 degress camber), but 15k probably isn't inconceivable. Should be at the bottom of that price range, too.

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Dustin Fredrickson
-- I'm a nobody --

drive harder

What he said about the Dunlops. They are pretty decent in the rain at full tread.

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Stephen Westerfield
2009 Infiniti M35 | 2007 Honda Fit Sport | 2005 Ford Mustang GT |2000 GMC Sierra |1992 Acura Integra LS | Super Westerfield Bros Acura Integra

I also run these on the BMW and they are great tires, but not what I would use for heavy-rain-ready daily drivers on the "wife-and-kid car".

I do bring my S.Drives to track events as backups, and in the event of heavy rain. Haven't had to use them yet, though (knock on wood).

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Dustin Fredrickson
-- I'm a nobody --

You read my mind Dustin.

I'm thinking about just running Star Specs on my car and thinking about the Direzza DZ 101's ( http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ... mpare1=yes ) on Therese's car.

Anyone running those? They almost look like a 300 treadwear version of the Specs with softer sidewalls I'm sure.

I'm on my 3rd set. As they wear they get noticably louder. Now this is on the Fit that I imagine they skimped on the sound deadening and there is virtually no exhaust noise to counter it. I didn't have any complaints driving them on the street on my Integra with a louder (but not obnoxious by any means) exhaust. Other than that though, they have worn great and are plenty grippy for street duty.

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Stephen Westerfield
2009 Infiniti M35 | 2007 Honda Fit Sport | 2005 Ford Mustang GT |2000 GMC Sierra |1992 Acura Integra LS | Super Westerfield Bros Acura Integra

Yeah, I've had these on the Miata for the past couple years and have been very happy with them. They are probably the best all around street tire I've run and don't even really seem to be affected much grip-wise by cold weather. I don't notice the noise issue, but top up or down is never really a quiet experience in that car. They are beginning to get a little worn, and I'll probably replace them with another set.

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'07, '08, '11 Autocross VP
'06, '10 Mike Dishman Cup
'21 MX5, '13 Corvette GS, '92 Corvette 383 c.i. 413whp/390wtq, '03 Expedition

I've gotten 16-17k out of my last 3 sets of Star Specs for street/AX duty.

I've found them to be entirely tolerable for street use.

For the wife's car, I'd recommend BFG G-force sports, they were a bit more streetable, and still quiet. My mom had them on her TL, and had no complaints, but they grip quite well. I got 25k out of them on my 3 for street/AX use, and they are cheap.

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2012 MX-5 Sport SUV

Star specs lose a LOT of grip in the cold. I avoid driving on them when it's <45 if at all possible. When it's <45 I can make the GTO's rear dance around in 3rd fairly easily, when it's warm out not so much. I haven't had any problems with them in the rain though.

That said they are the only decent tire I've used on the street. One thing I can say is don't use RT-615s, they are junk in the rain. I felt myself floating around a few times coming back from work yesterday on 40 while going well below the speed limit. Really made me wish I drove all the way back to Durham to swap out cars after Sunday's marathon AX.


VVV All cars have 4 wheel brakes VVV

Sounds like somebody needs to be introduced to what makes a Subaru a Subaru. I've not had either of those problems.

I do remember the RT215's not being so great in the rain (or mud) at 50% tread depth, though. But the RT615's were fine in the rain/mud/sand/brief snowfall a few years ago at Sandblast Rally on the 04 STi.

We have used Bridgestone RE950/960 All Seasons on our Mustang GT's. Very good in rain and cold. Summer tires will not be good in cold weather (at least with a Mustang GT). However, the set of Firestone Wide Ovals (aka Bridgestone 760's) I used on my GT were extremely good in the rain and dry. Price points, however, are higher than your target. Both are reasonably quiet.

I've learned over the years that a high performance all season is a better overall choice because they keep their tread depth much longer . . . i.e. hydroplaning doesn't become a concern until the tires are so old I'm "bored" with them.

FYI, Mustang GT's and all season tires don't like snow much better than they like snow with summer tires. For snow I have either real snow tires or the "work from home" option.

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT