Another Tire Thread

SRN · Thu Sep 14, 2017 6:05 pm

I'm looking at new tires and I'm wondering if anyone has experience with Sumitomo HTR A/S P02's. I'm mainly interested due to the price on TireRack ($96), but I also don't want a tire that is crap. Reviews on TireRack are mixed, so I wanted to see if any of you out there with Kizashi's have any experience.

WESHOOT2 · Thu Sep 14, 2017 9:38 pm

IMO:

If you drive really fast buy an expensive performance tire; if you want high mileage life expectancy buy tires that advertise that.

'I suggest calling the TireRack folks directly and discussing with them what you're looking for. They are great.

Fri Sep 15, 2017 12:35 am

I had the Sumitomo HTR A/S P01 (a tire of a generation before) on my former car. In my opinion, they are a very good budget tire but they certainly aren't going to be among the best you can get. The newer P02's have a different tread pattern than the P01's so I can't speak from firsthand experience but these Sumitomo HTR series were rather quiet and offered good grip in most circumstances. The major difference between the generations seems to be that the P02's are asymmetric while the P01's were symmetrical unidirectional tires.

I got the P01's to replace my Pirelli's that were wearing unevenly due to worn front wheel bearings and blown rear shocks. I thought the Sumitomos were better except in snow traction. While I didn't have the car long enough to fully wear out the Sumitomo's, I was fully satisfied with the tires while I had them which was around 30,000 miles.
I personally think the Sumitomo HTR A/S P02's are a solid choice for a budget tire, especially if you're mostly doing just normal driving. For higher performance, there are certainly better (and more expensive) choices.

SRN · Fri Sep 15, 2017 4:41 pm

KuroNekko wrote:I had the Sumitomo HTR A/S P01 (a tire of a generation before) on my former car. In my opinion, they are a very good budget tire but they certainly aren't going to be among the best you can get. The newer P02's have a different tread pattern than the P01's so I can't speak from firsthand experience but these Sumitomo HTR series were rather quiet and offered good grip in most circumstances. The major difference between the generations seems to be that the P02's are asymmetric while the P01's were symmetrical unidirectional tires.

I got the P01's to replace my Pirelli's that were wearing unevenly due to worn front wheel bearings and blown rear shocks. I thought the Sumitomos were better except in snow traction. While I didn't have the car long enough to fully wear out the Sumitomo's, I was fully satisfied with the tires while I had them which was around 30,000 miles.
I personally think the Sumitomo HTR A/S P02's are a solid choice for a budget tire, especially if you're mostly doing just normal driving. For higher performance, there are certainly better (and more expensive) choices.

Thanks for the info. While the Kizashi is my DD (got a Miata for track days), like you I have a GTS 6-speed and as such, I do enjoy a spirited drive even if its just to work and back. My worry is that the Sumitomos might not be terribly stiff and break free in the corners a little too easily.
I'd love to get some Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+'s, but I'd be looking at ~$800 and thats a little steep at the moment. Anyone have thoughts about a nice balance between the two?

SRN · Sat Sep 16, 2017 1:01 am

Anyone have any experience with Kumho ECSTA 4X II's?

WESHOOT2 · Sat Sep 16, 2017 2:15 pm

I did on my last one.

Decent tire (but naturally, I ruined mine).

Sat Sep 16, 2017 8:29 pm

I have some Kumho Solus TA71s on now. An older model at the time that I got from Tire Rack at a good discount. I'm happy with them. Tons quieter than the Generals they replaced. There weren't the cheapest tire at the time and they're also not Michelin dollars...an in-betweener.

You really have to take tire reviews with a grain of salt. Same brand and model tire, available in numerous sizes, made all around the would, in varying places, by workers that have varying levels of give-a-chit. Not to mention the condition of the automated equipment assembling the tires in said places. The previous Generals on the Kiz were made in France. Other sizes of that tire were made here.

SRN · Wed Sep 20, 2017 8:57 pm

Bought the Kumho ECSTA 4X II's off Tire Rack today, should get them Monday. Looking at my account history on Tire Rack and I'd bought a previous version of ECTA's for my Mk. III Jetta GLX VR6 years ago, and I always liked the tires I had on that. So I guess I'm making a good choice!