Toyo Proxes 4 or Kuhmo Ecsta ASX??

[KyRaceFan]

Its almost winter, and theres no way i can make it through another one on the stock potenzas. I had to park the car if it even snowed 5 flakes.

I know i should just get some steelies, and real snow tires, but that just means i spend money on 2 sets of tires... and if i dont, then i still need new tires for my stock wheels.

After reading alot of old threads, reviews on "ultra high performance" all seasons and what not, and talking to people with asx's, ive decided im willing to sacrifice some dry grip to get an "all season" tire for this winter.

I live in ky, and it snows 8-10 times a winter, and in between the roads are clear, so i dont need snow only tires.. and im looking for a mix of mild winter performance, traction in the wet/dry and of course spirited road driving through corners.

The ASX's are rated better in snow, but worse in dry.. while the proxes are better dry than in snow...

Help me out!!

 

[gboromsp]

Can't tell you yet because we haven't had any snow. I have the Proxes 4's. They are a good tire for the money. The handling characteristics of your car will change, but you get used to it after a week or so. They seem to be lasting very well. I have about 7k on mine and can't even tell they are used. And this coming from someone who got 15k out of the stock potenzas. They are excellent in the rain though, and good in the dry as well. They ride better due to softer sidewalls, but the car feels squirrely until it sets into the turn. Hope this helps.

 

[wicked]

I got the proxes 4's,I have tried a lot of tires,and I find(in my own opinion,and other ratings)are the best "bang for the buck"


BUT,I have never driven them on snow,or ice.In fact I haven't even driven my MSP in cold weather.

 

[rktktpaul]

Agreed. I have them on my P5 and they stick like crazy wet or dry. Don't know about snow yet though.

 

[4001]

Trying to figure out if a tire is good in the snow is like chasing the white rabbit, its so confusing to figure out. I am also trying to determine what would be a good all season tire that could get me through some snow if I was in the situation but all you get are mixed reviews from people. Some say they work great others argue that they should not even be allowed for the snow. I think the only way your going to be sure is trial and error, just see what works best for you.

 

[KyRaceFan]

Im gonna go with the Toyos. As long as i can get the car moving in 2nd gear in snow, im better off than last year.... plus they have excellent wet and dry.. not as good as KDWs, but i cant afford 145 a tire.

I hope they sidewalls are fairly stiff, i dont want to lose too much handling, but as dead as my potenza's are im scary to take it through some corners as it is anyways.

PS. 22k on the potenzas, and they arent slicks..

 

[PaulMP3]

i just made the same decision.. i was afraid my car might see some snow on my stock wheels so i didnt want summer only tires. Also im gonna be doing a lot of long trips so i wanted something that lasted over 20k. i went with the proxes4 they handle decent, but nothing like my dunlops. The steering isnt as responsive and they also tend to scream when pushed, due to the soft sidewalls...

positive things: the are great in wet conditions, and are much quieter then my dunlop sp9000, and they are affordable.

you might want to rethink getting these if you love to push your car around turns often. For me, they were the right choice due to my situation, but ii often wish i had summer only tires.

 

[thunder]

Trying to figure out if a tire is good in the snow is like chasing the white rabbit, its so confusing to figure out. I am also trying to determine what would be a good all season tire that could get me through some snow if I was in the situation but all you get are mixed reviews from people. Some say they work great others argue that they should not even be allowed for the snow. I think the only way your going to be sure is trial and error, just see what works best for you.

Well, I did the trial-error thing with the proxes 4...
My comments: excellent on dry, amazing in the wet, very good to exellent in cold weather (to slightly below freezing, light years away from stock Potenza), decent in slush (melting snow) and poor in snow but manageable (like driving slow). I say they're a 3 season tire, depending on where you live (defenitively a 3 season in the North). Sidewalls are softer than Potenza but you can stiffen them up by inflating more (3 to 6 more psi). After 5000 miles they still look like new, well almost! I like 'em a lot!

 

[1 PHAT 5]

I had the Dunlop sp9000's on my car for about 2 years. I put a hard 40k miles on them. as far as handling went, I would say they where pretty good. My only complaint was telling where the breaking point was ( the point where you know you pushed the tires to far ). The Dunlops never really made any squeeling noise either. In the snow I think they where worse than stock tires that is for sure. On slighty wet roads I didn't care for them but in the rain they where good. My biggest complaint was road noise. Very bad! These tires where stock size and cost my $99 each mounted and balanced.

I just got the Toyo 4's in a 204/45/16. I paid $85 mounted/balanced. So far I have to say the road noise is much better. Dry handling seems better too. The car seems more stable even. The bad side is I can feel the bumps a bit more than before but i am Ok with that due to it being quieter. I bought these tires as an all around tire, especially for winter.

You can't beat the all around performance for the price. It really comes down to your needs though. I definitely got what I needed.

 

[thunder]

Try inflating more! It was a very big difference for me With more pressure they come alive! I now use 37 F/35 R with trial-error (but that could be different for you)

i just made the same decision.. i was afraid my car might see some snow on my stock wheels so i didnt want summer only tires. Also im gonna be doing a lot of long trips so i wanted something that lasted over 20k. i went with the proxes4 they handle decent, but nothing like my dunlops. The steering isnt as responsive and they also tend to scream when pushed, due to the soft sidewalls...

positive things: the are great in wet conditions, and are much quieter then my dunlop sp9000, and they are affordable.

you might want to rethink getting these if you love to push your car around turns often. For me, they were the right choice due to my situation, but ii often wish i had summer only tires.

 

[KyRaceFan]

Had my proxes 4 put on yesterday. I already miss the stiffness of my potenzas, but they were so bald i had little wet traction, and dry traction was lacking. However, these are so quiet i cant believe what a difference they made! I havent really tested them out too much other than that. Took a few corners sorta hard, and even though the car pushed a little more than before, it stuck to the road, and felt alot more predictable.
Im sure once they wear in a little, they'll grip even better in dry.
I live in the mid south, and can expect snow every few weeks, mostly just slushy roads, so im hoping they'll work out ok, and from what ive read, they will.

Next spring/summer, money willing, im getting a set of 15 or 16in rims with azenis for autox...

 

[philodendron]

I have an old fwd Buick for our long winters so I don't drive my P5 in snow or ice.
Got 30k out of the Ecsta ASX and am switching to the Proxes next week. The Kuhmos preformed well in the wet and I hear the Toyos do, too.

 

[Nevermore]

how do the Ecstas do in the summer months? im in south texas and I need new tires but can't afford right now to get a pricey tire...opinions?