I've always been a huge fan of Yokohama tires.... the AVS Sport was one of my favorite street tires... what do you guys think? Do you like Yoko's????

 

Yokohama makes some excellent tires, and some that are not very good.

For example, their AVS Sport, which has been on the market as their top-of-the-line summer tire for quite a few years, was not as good as competing top summer tires like the Bridgestone S-03 or Michelin Pilot Sport. (They have since introduced the Advan Neova AD07, which is good but isn't available in smaller sizes for the Honda/Acura cars that most of us drive.)

OTOH, when the ES100 budget performance tire was introduced (in 2002, I think), it was far better than anything in its price class, and it's only been in the past year or so that other manufacturers have caught up. Of course, one of those tires in the same price class is Yokohama's own Parada Spec 2, which is absolute crap for the same money as the ES100. So it all depends on the specific tire.

 

I've had 3 sets of DNA GP's (USDM ES100's), and have had nothing but enjoyment with them. They're not terribly loud, they have a stellar tread pattern, they're great in the rain, and have rather solid tread life for their class of tire. Overall, they're my "favorite" choice for non-winter tires.

I also use Yokohama's for winter. Guardex 600's. They've done quite well, thus far. I drive lowered all year round, and they've propelled my car through snow that's up to my license plate, without problems.

 

The ES100 are good tires but Kumho introduced the SPT which beat the ES100 in every category and is a little cheaper too.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DaveSi677 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The ES100 are good tires but Kumho introduced the SPT which beat the ES100 in every category and is a little cheaper too.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I still like my ES100's.

I've had nothing but terrible luck with the 3 different sets of Kumho's I've had. I've given up on them for the time being.

 

I like Yokos, the ES100's are awesome, I chose a different tire though, due to the Yoko's being out of my price range when I got different wheels.

 

Have any of you heard of about Yokahamo S.Drive, the tire slated to replace the ES100? I've owned two sets of ES100s and they do get quite noisy after about 10k miles, even with stock alignment specs on my EP3. My Hankook RS-2s howl less at 16k miles than the ES100s and the RS-2 is a stickier tire. I probably have another 4k left on my tires and I plan on getting something more comfortable next time around. The Kumho SPTs are the most likely choice but then I found out about the S.Drive. Does anyone know when they're supposed to be released in the US? They're already out in Japan and I believe Australia. Here are some links I found:

http://www.moderntiredealer.co...=6625

http://www.theautochannel.com/....html

http://www.yokohama.co.nz/s_drive.html




Modified by dchu at 3:14 PM 3/25/2007

 

I've had a few sets of ES100's and for the money, they are a great tire. Gotta admit though, I love the stock tires on my '07 STI... and that all wheel drive, man.. it is THE best handling street car I have ever driven.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by S2K2000 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've had a few sets of ES100's and for the money, they are a great tire. Gotta admit though, I love the stock tires on my '07 STI... and that all wheel drive, man.. it is THE best handling street car I have ever driven.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The RE070 (OEM STi tire) is a sticky tire, but you won't like them as much when you have to replace them and see how much they cost ($163/tire). Plus, their performance isn't actually all that much better than a number of much cheaper tires, the main thing you probably notice with your STi is that it just plain handles better than your other cars regardless of tires. I miss my '05 a lot, but it wasn't practical for me so I had to dump it.

Jon