Thoughts on tires? A great all-season or a great summer tire?
 

Ok guys, I know for maximum grip you'd go with a great summer tire, but hear me out on this...

Right now my car has the stocker prius tires. I like the character of the car, I like being able to slide it around and have fun with it...I know ultimately when I can do a track day or two later this year that I'll want a bit more grip...

But I'm giving serious consideration to throwing on Michelin Pilot Sport AS3's as opposed to a dedicated summer. The AS3 would be a massive step up but likely still allow the car to slide a bit with its lower overall limits compared with a dedicated summer tire.

I would really like to hear thoughts and experiences on this.

As far as I know - summer tyres will perform better in the dry and wet.

You only really need all season if you go to the extreme wet/snow/mud type scenario (not ideal conditions for our cars anyway).

Better off sticking with stock than an all season in my opinion.

Chuck on some RS3s and have a blast :D

I would not dream of an all season here. Summer for summer and snow for winter. I can play when it is warm and stay alive when it is cold.
The AS tires are probably fine for you there. Just keep in mind that the stock tires were picked by the designers for a reason (and no not because they are "cheap" so there will be compromises in going to something different.
The Pilot Sports are a nice choice for an AS though.

Pilot Sport AS3s are a great all-around tire suitable for daily use. They'll last much longer than a "hot" street tire like an RE71R, Rival S, etc. while still being more fun than a generic all-season.

We get so little weather here in Tulsa/OK I'd put on a sticky tire and go, especially if you plan on visiting Hallett this year.

My BRZ has had Star Specs on it since last February, non-stop.

For something less aggressive with great wet traction and ride quality, I'd go with the Continental DW..........if you must have an all-season, I'd go with the DWS.

I don't have to have an all-season, my daily driver is my 335i which has the AS3 on it.

I just want something that is FUN! If that's an all-season I'm ok with less grip for more at the limit handling fun...

If I need a sticky summer for that I'm ok with that too. I don't drive the car enough to worry about wear. The car will see 4-5k miles per year. Maybe less...my BMW sees 10-12k/yr.

Slap a 200TW tire, pads/fluid and bring it out to Hallett!

I have no problem getting the rear loose and my car is on Ground Controls and 255/35/18 Star Specs.

If you aren't going to go with something sticky, I don't see the point of ditching the stockers.

I do plan to bring it to hallett.

Then put a sticky tire on it and enjoy.

If you think you will attend Hallett regularly, I'd go ahead and pick up an oil cooler or the new Jackson Racing radiator/oil cooler combo.

I have the AS3+ and they are leaps and bounds better than the summer prius tires. You will lose the easy to slide nature of the car however... I'll write a review eventually on the AS3+. LOL

I'm on 245/40 R17 hankook ventus V12s (max performance summer) & I can still easily slide the car, it does have a lot more grip but it still retains the sliding characteristics at least for my aggressive driving style.

Good to know, I'm probably not going to get a wider tire, just stick with the 225s and get a better tire :)

Should make it a little bit easier then, from my research (because I didn't want MAXIMUM grip like you), V12s are a good option as well as Yokohama S Drives & they don't cost you an arm and a leg.

Can also speak from experience with the S Drives on my Integra & you could lose grip fairly easy.

Forget thinking they're cheap they are one of the most expensive tires on the market. Funny enough they are rated at a 240tw even! But somehow they last over 40k miles