I think they're fine for driving on the street. Truthfully I'm not really picky about tires on the street and just go for whatever's cheap. Less grip is usually more exciting. I've been driving on MP summer tires in 30-40 F wet weather lately and it's good fun. I think too often enthusiasts get caught up using the stickiest and most expensive tires on the street when it's really the (controlled) loss of grip that's fun.

I wouldn't mind using them for drift or autocross practice, but I'm looking into 18*8.5 wheels so I'm not sure if I want them in that size. I do enjoy how they let me slip the tail out, even if it takes a bit more effort with the 15's new suspension and the TRD sway bar.

I'm wondering if anyone knows a good alternative to the HPs price wise. Something with the same tire life, grip and rolling resistance. Reason being, the HPs are more expensive than Pilot Sports which is odd. Are there any 'summer' tires that are even a bit cheaper than the HPs with a similar character? (Got a set of winters so would like the other side of the spectrum) I've researched and found FalkensZIEX ZE914 Ecoruns but I can't seem to get any in my city. They all have stock of the Falken performance summers though.
And a personal thing for me too, mine still have at least 1 or two seasons but I'm thinking heading back to school sooner or later and WILL be broke. But I still want to be able to drive my little twin because I can't give that up.

You can filter every which way at tirerack.com. Here's what they're showing as comperable to OEM for a start:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/types/grandtour.jsp

anyone tried replacing just the front two? agreeing with above the primacy do not give me confidence in < 50 degrees & wet conditions. It could be inexperience, but I have been driving this car for over a year now and I still find that I never know when they are going to let go. This is not so much a problem when it's the back end coming out because you have options to save or enjoy it, But when the front lets go unexpectedly there are much fewer options available. I would much rather spin around in a circle than understeer into a curb.

I wouldn't mix between axles. Either stick to the same make/model/size all around or swap the entire set assuming you got your free four-wheel alignment and rotation from the dealership first.

true didn't think about the speed sensors, but then again, before I rotated my tires, my fronts had much more tread on them than my backs, so maybe it wouldn't cause an issue.

My plan will be to put something stickier on when I wear the OEMs out. I do like how controllable the stock tires are, but right now in the Portland, OR area, it's pretty wet, and as stated earlier, these tires wet traction leaves a lot of room for improvement.

I laid into the throttle exiting the Tualatin cloverleaf on-ramp the other night and it got loose on me. I knew I was close, but that one skeered me because that K rail isn't that far away.

Also, I don't understand their price point when better tires are much cheaper. There must be some 'prius owners will pay whatever we tell them' mentality in there somewhere.

I love them too, but there are two problems with the Primacy HP's: price and weather capability, I don't have to worry about the latter just the former.

If I come across a set of Primacy HP's that are low mileage and cheap (everybody the first year were dumping them before they filled up the tank for the first time) I'll pick them up and mount them when I use up the tires I have now, otherwise there are many better performance options for less money. It isn't worth the extra $80-$200 imo.

Primacy:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....7PHP&tab=Sizes

Bridgestone RE-11A
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....E11A&tab=Sizes

Dunlop Direzza ZII
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....R7Z2&tab=Sizes

Michelin Pilot Super Sports
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....SSXL&tab=Sizes

Yokohoma Advan AD08
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....D08R&tab=Sizes

BFGoodrich Rivals
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....FRXL&tab=Sizes

I've driven cars in the wet on the Primacy's, RE-11A's, AD08's and PSS's. The only one I'd consider suitable for year 'round use in Portland are the PSS's, not sure about the ZII's or Rivals but their tread pattern and survey results can't match PSS wet reviews although they're rated relative to others only within category. PSS are in the Max category vs. Extreme of the others so it's apples and oranges in the wet while the others are better in dry, warmer conditions.

@jeepmor, if you like the control of the OEM tire, you'll really appreciate the added control, balance and recovery ability of the PSS. The downside is a slightly rougher ride in 225/45-17 size and louder tire noise but I run a Perrin unresonated so hardly notice above the din. America's Tire Co. has PSS $100 discount promos quarterly so watch their site for best price (and they match tirerack pre-discount).

The Primacy tires aren't bad, but they are way too expensive to rebuy considering all the other options out there.

As far as Auto X, I'm at the point where I can't improve my times further on the OEM tires either so when these are worn out I'll look forward to something different.

I went with PSS and never looked back.

They're stupid expensive

In terms of price I just compared the Primacy HP to others in stock dimension at my local tire dealer here in Germany.

The Primacy costs 140€ - Same as a Bridgestone RE050 A.

For 145€ you get Goodyear Eagle F1 asymmetric 2, Dunlop Sport Maxx RT and TT and Continental Sportcontact 5.

Michelin Pilot Sport 3 is 155€, Pirelli P Zero Nero is only 120€!

I have a set of PSS for track and mt. Run. But I actually prefer stock tires for daily driving but seeing how much it cost i wont be getting them again.

If I was doing auto x or track time, I would want better tires. As is, my car is a street car/daily driver and I don't mind the stock tires. The low grip adds to the fun nature of the car. It is part of what makes the car such a riot to drive. There is no arguing that the price is way out of line, and the lack of grip in the wet is kind of scary, but if you ditch (or curb) it, it's because you were going too fast for the road conditions.

The best part of the HP's for me was that they sold immediately when I decided to move to Michelin Pilot Sports.

Fast and pleasant local sale to a forum member. Props to this forum and to the buyer for making that transaction so easy.

They are good/fun tires IMO, just not for Winter weather.

My 2015 FR-S purchased in the greater Boston, MA area came with Bridgestone Turanza EL400-002 tires instead of the Michelin Primacy HP's. Like the Michelin's, they are quite expensive ($164 each vs. $182) compared with other higher performance tires. Any opinion or comparisons of the Turanza's vs. Primacy? By the way, I purchased my car in October and the OEM tires and wheels came off at 300 miles for my Blizzak WS70's snows.

+1 here. I will be putting another set of the stockers on when time comes.

The EL400's came on my 2015 Camry V6. Tirerack shows them to be standard all-season tires while the Primacy HP's are grand touring summer.

The Bridgestones are a surprisingly capable tire in the wet, well suited to the F/F Camry, but it's been so long since I've driven on Primacys that I'd hesitate to compare them. Seems like the all-season rated Bridgestones would do better in your climate though.

That said, I'm replacing the Bridgestones with a higher performance tire during the next sale at my local tire dealer. IMO, a tire upgrade is the single most cost effective improvement available for any car, truck or SUV.

Very useful post. I drive on similar roads and agree wholeheartedly. I'd only add that I gained respect for the OEMs when I took the car to the track, where it is a true pleasure to drive (dry weather, outside temp = 55-60F). Super grip? Nope, but really easy to place the car with those tires.

Since I drive the car on open roads 99% of the time, sliding performance is not what I need. Good grip, including on wet and/or cold roads, is. Right now, if it rains or gets too cold, the car stays in the garage. The PS A/S 3 is what I am looking forward to replace the OEMs with.

I got a ticket because the Primacy hp was making too much noise. Another reason for me to get rid of them.

What did they ticket you for? Wreakless driving?

Ha ha, I was like what? How do you get a noise ticket? But I'll bet you're right - cops don't like to hear squealing and they don't believe you when you tell them, "It's ok officer, it's just these tires - I was under the speed limit!" :D

He said i was speeding around the corner which i was not. I had two co workers were driving behind me that verified that i was doing within the speed limit.

wow, did you pay or took it to court?

Still waiting for the court date. It may take up to a year.

Damn I need a dashcam from now on, cali cops are not kidding.

Nope. Not feeling the love. If you really like these tires, then your expectations from a tire probably don't go much past "Hold Air"

I myself consider the original tires to be on the verge of dangerous on this car.

Besides, you can get better tires for less $$$ than Toyota is going to sell you a set of the Prius tires.

Will put a third summer on mine and replace with Azenis.:burnrubber:

My Mazda 3 came with the Turanza EL400. OK performance in dry and wet, absolute garbage performance in any snow or ice. I'd go as far to say as it's dangerous and irresponsible of any OEM to include them on a commuter style car. I would replace them as soon as possible if you're going to do any winter driving.

I don't know how they compare to the Primacy in winter as I don't use the Primacys in winter.

Local pilot has a set for sale cheap with OEM wheels included. The wheels would sell on priuschat.com for about his asking price. Might be worth checking out.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...92#post2097099

Say No to stock tires
 

I was one of the 1st few in Florida to get my Red FRS. I got it an hour away in Daytona. So I drove the car home on I95. Tramlining (following road ruts) was bad. I had seen this before with Corvettes. I am used to driving cars stable at speed. The FRS is not as stable at speed as the other car from Japan in my car collection. My Roush Mustang feels stable at speed but sits up a lot higher than my Japan cars so it's a different feel to driving at speed. After the hour drive I was very disappointed in the tire choice by Toyota, but I understand that if the car came with sticky extreme performance summer tires that most of the young kids buying the car would be wrapping them around telephone poles. I firmly believe that the Primacy Tires have saved many lives due to the fact that you can't really toss the car into a corner at megaspeed and feel safe enough to risk it.


I have been using Dunlop Direzza tires for years on my tricked out '92 Maxima SE for years. I bought the car new and over the years put a lot of money to modify the car. I have a trick suspension on it and it is lowered by 2". I have had many tires on the car and I was living in NJ for most of the life of the car. I have had many tires on it with racing rims from Japan. But the Dunlop Direzzas for the best grip in temps above 45 degress that I have used.


So I ordered the same day after driving home my FRS a set of tires and wheels from Tire Rack. Kosei ultra lightweight rims and Dunlop Direzza 215 tires. I got them 2 days later and put them on. WOW WOW WOW. The whole stability of the car was light years ahead. I could now take my hands of the wheel and the car would drive itself. Hit a corner and double the grip was there. I steering feel that matched the best sports cars out there was reached. Can't say enough. I ended up a week later putting 225 width tires that I had extra for my Maxima on the back to make it look better proportioned. It didn't hurt the handling of the car and looked a whole heck of a lot better. If you never drive an FRS with extreme performance tires, you will never know how well the car drives. To me, the stock tires are a safety net for new drivers.


So there you have it. I recommend that you don't go too wide with the tires and loose steering feel, and you will also add weight. If you don't modify the hp of the car too much,,,, you can get some lightweight wheels and save 30 lbs of unsprung weight, add Dunlop Direzza or BF Rivals. This difference is astounding. Don't let anyone tell you different.

I may go with the A/S 3 after the PSS wears out. The sticky PSS is preventing me from breaking 30mpg.

The A/S 3's are pretty sticky as well, just so you know. I get about 1-2 mpg less than the Primacy's. IMO, now that I've been driving on the A/S 3's for a little while now, I can say that there's absolutely no comparison between the them and the stock Primacy's.

Love the OEM tires. Great grip but toss able. I kinda took the fun out of my Miata by putting MPSS on. They are too grippy.

Also, they are pretty good in the left lane... I wasn't passed by anything super fast.

[ame]http://youtu.be/pDa4J4zJdy0[/ame]

It won't help.

If the officer has a recorded speed gun figure, they will favour it.
If the office does not have a recorded speed gun, it depends what they fined/charged you for. If it was speeding, in the UK they wouldn't issue a ticket, if it was reckless or dangerous driving, driving without due care etc. etc. Your dash cam footage won't help either.

Besides, the GPS on dashcam's are pathetic in the grand scheme of things. They have a refresh rate of about 1Hz and the speed is averaged over about 5 seconds worth of positions. You can stop the car from 30mph and the dashcam still shows 30mph when you are stationary! Inversely you can accelerate from a standstill to 37mph and back to 30mph and the dash cam will never show anything over 30.

I have A/S 3 tires but I barely hit 27 MPG. I drive pretty aggressively though, and rarely use the highway / freeway. I love them though. Just enough grip to handle well, but not so much that I can't get the end out if I really try to.

I am currently using the PSS. So I am pretty much stuck at around 30mpg.

I like the feel of the stock tires, but at about 20K they started a thrumming noise that I have only had with Michelin tires. Wheels are aligned, balanced, etc. so it is the tires. I am going with some other brand. Besides, they are about $200 per new, compared with about half that for other high performance summer tires.