I wouldn't compare an A/S UHP vs a touring tire or compare two different tire manufacturer's tread wear ratings.
I've never handled a Conti Pure Contact up close but it sounds like it has a solid casing, and better edge and cap plies
But X2 on the Dunlop SP Sport 7000 A/S. It doesn't impress me as an all season UHP.
Ditched the Dunlops
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twoqttsdad
- Posts: 212
- Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2012 12:41 am
- Location: Hawaii
2012 SLS
Azure Grey
FWD CVT
Azure Grey
FWD CVT
Honestly, after these factory Dunlops wear out, I am going to do something different from what I have done before: get tires that are not All Season.
I have previously lived in mountain areas were snow and ice were a common winter occurrence. Because of this, I drove cars with 4x4 or AWD and always had All Season tires. The combination was good, although when the snow got deep, I threw on chains.
I now live in an area that does not get much snow. The only exception was the DC area Snowmageddon a few years ago but the DC, Maryland, Virginia area does not get much snow in the winter.
I am thinking of getting max performance summer tires after these Dunlops. Max and Extreme performance tires are known to be the best tires for dry grip, braking, and cornering but offer poor traction in snowy conditions. However, they even handle better in wet conditions than many All Seasons.
I think the best compromise is Max Performance as Extreme has less hydroplaning resistance for the sake of maximum road contact and grip on dry pavement.
It is well documented by professionals that these performance summer tires offer a far higher level of grip performance than All Season tires. All Seasons are basically the compromise tire. Give up some performance grip to gain some winter snow grip. However they don't do either dry or snow traction particularly well since they are in the middle to offer a compromise.
Extreme Summer tires are the best for dry conditions and snow/studded tires are the best for snow and ice. All seasons are in the middle.
If you live in Canada or a place that gets snow, then of course, All Seasons are probably best. However, if you live in Southern California, most parts of Australia, or the South of the USA, I can't really see why you'd want to opt out on a higher performance tire for the sake of winter performance you will not need. I got a 2WD Kizashi because I knew I would not need AWD. Same would go for All Seasons tires. I'm going to try higher performance summer tires once my OEM Dunlops wear out (assuming I live in an area with little or no snow).
I have previously lived in mountain areas were snow and ice were a common winter occurrence. Because of this, I drove cars with 4x4 or AWD and always had All Season tires. The combination was good, although when the snow got deep, I threw on chains.
I now live in an area that does not get much snow. The only exception was the DC area Snowmageddon a few years ago but the DC, Maryland, Virginia area does not get much snow in the winter.
I am thinking of getting max performance summer tires after these Dunlops. Max and Extreme performance tires are known to be the best tires for dry grip, braking, and cornering but offer poor traction in snowy conditions. However, they even handle better in wet conditions than many All Seasons.
I think the best compromise is Max Performance as Extreme has less hydroplaning resistance for the sake of maximum road contact and grip on dry pavement.
It is well documented by professionals that these performance summer tires offer a far higher level of grip performance than All Season tires. All Seasons are basically the compromise tire. Give up some performance grip to gain some winter snow grip. However they don't do either dry or snow traction particularly well since they are in the middle to offer a compromise.
Extreme Summer tires are the best for dry conditions and snow/studded tires are the best for snow and ice. All seasons are in the middle.
If you live in Canada or a place that gets snow, then of course, All Seasons are probably best. However, if you live in Southern California, most parts of Australia, or the South of the USA, I can't really see why you'd want to opt out on a higher performance tire for the sake of winter performance you will not need. I got a 2WD Kizashi because I knew I would not need AWD. Same would go for All Seasons tires. I'm going to try higher performance summer tires once my OEM Dunlops wear out (assuming I live in an area with little or no snow).
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
Most of the tyres sold in Australia are classed in the USA as "Summer" tyres. In fact, most Australians wouldn't even realise that you can buy Summer and Winter tyres- there's simply no need for them in 99% of Australia.
I ran Bridgestone RE-11 tyres on my last vehicle http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ... ridgestone and they were actually excellent in the wet. The grip from them was phenomenal (compared to the previous Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 tyres) with no wheel spin off the line in the dry with even provocative use of the throttle. They were also surprisingly quiet and soft riding.
Something like the Goodyear Eagle Assymetric gets excellent reviews in local tests for it's performance in the wet basically matching it's dry weather performance! http://www.goodyear.com.au/dotCMS/TyreD ... m=nPerPage
I ran Bridgestone RE-11 tyres on my last vehicle http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ... ridgestone and they were actually excellent in the wet. The grip from them was phenomenal (compared to the previous Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 tyres) with no wheel spin off the line in the dry with even provocative use of the throttle. They were also surprisingly quiet and soft riding.
Something like the Goodyear Eagle Assymetric gets excellent reviews in local tests for it's performance in the wet basically matching it's dry weather performance! http://www.goodyear.com.au/dotCMS/TyreD ... m=nPerPage
David
I've been using a set of Contiental Pure-Contacts for 2,000 miles.
I plan on posting a more complete review in the future but for now
lets just say these tires turned my Kizashi into a Camry.
I plan on posting a more complete review in the future but for now
lets just say these tires turned my Kizashi into a Camry.
______________________________________________________
Sluggo wrote: lets just say these tires turned my Kizashi into a Camry.
Are you wearing cardigans and have you put a lawn bowls hat on your rear parcel shelf to complete the image?(That joke will probably only be relevant/ funny to Australians
)David
That flew by me as an American.murcod wrote:Sluggo wrote: lets just say these tires turned my Kizashi into a Camry.
(That joke will probably only be relevant/ funny to Australians
Camry drivers have the stereotype as being the most ignorant, lamest, boring drivers. Basically the people who don't like cars driving their appliance; a Camry. Even Camry commercials are so bad they are subject to ridicule among car enthusiasts.
Take a look yourself:
[youtube][/youtube]
This is also a gem: http://jalopnik.com/amazing-facebook-pa ... -802874907
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
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Knightstruth
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:22 pm
I have Goodyear eagle gt tires and I will warn you they are harsh on the road. I feel a lot of bumps. Although they do hold the car on the road though. BTW some of you guys are a bit harsh on Camry owners. I think they are good looking, reliable although not terribly engaging cars.murcod wrote:Most of the tyres sold in Australia are classed in the USA as "Summer" tyres. In fact, most Australians wouldn't even realise that you can buy Summer and Winter tyres- there's simply no need for them in 99% of Australia.
I ran Bridgestone RE-11 tyres on my last vehicle http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ... ridgestone and they were actually excellent in the wet. The grip from them was phenomenal (compared to the previous Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 tyres) with no wheel spin off the line in the dry with even provocative use of the throttle. They were also surprisingly quiet and soft riding.
Something like the Goodyear Eagle Assymetric gets excellent reviews in local tests for it's performance in the wet basically matching it's dry weather performance! http://www.goodyear.com.au/dotCMS/TyreD ... m=nPerPage
Along that same lines my wife had a rav4 but it was totaled and we switched to a Nissan rogue. The rogue is fun to drive for an SUV, while the rav 4 is dull.
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Northernstar
- Posts: 590
- Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:49 am
- Location: Surrey Canada
I have both 2012 Camry SE V6 and Kizashi. Although Camry isn't as engaging as Kizashi, but boy that thing sure can fly. 0-60 in 5.8 sec, and comes with tons of features too. Usually I just sit back and enjoy the pure acceleration, overtaking ppl whenever I want lol.
Oh, I never said the Camry was a bad car. It's not the king in midsize sales for nothing. It's reliable, long-lasting, economical, and has strong resale value. I have also heard of the V6's strong performance in the Camry.
However, a lot of people buy the Camry by default. It's like they don't care to shop around. The car also does not offer very engaging driving dynamics as it does not need to. Toyota knows its reputation alone will allow the Camry to sell itself. A lot of car enthusiasts criticize Toyota and the Camry because it's really the product of them resting on their laurels.
There is no doubt the Camry is a good midsize, however, one is really not doing themselves a favor when they ignore good alternatives to the car. Great examples include the Kizashi, Mazda6, and Legacy which are all very good cars from smaller companies.
However, a lot of people buy the Camry by default. It's like they don't care to shop around. The car also does not offer very engaging driving dynamics as it does not need to. Toyota knows its reputation alone will allow the Camry to sell itself. A lot of car enthusiasts criticize Toyota and the Camry because it's really the product of them resting on their laurels.
There is no doubt the Camry is a good midsize, however, one is really not doing themselves a favor when they ignore good alternatives to the car. Great examples include the Kizashi, Mazda6, and Legacy which are all very good cars from smaller companies.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)