I'm looking for new tires....actually need them in like 2 weeks according to Mazda. I am approaching 28K. I've been researching:

Not getting OEM Potenzas back on - noisy now and PRICEY! I need 225/45/18.
What about these:

Kumho Extsta Spt
BF Goodrich g-force T/A KDW
Toyo Proxes 4
Avon Tech M550 A/S
Dunlop Direzza DZ101

Any comments? These were some of the choices I was given by many tire dealers. :confused:

Thanks,

DS (anutha Rx8 gurl)

Falken RT-615 www.vulcantire.com (http://www.vulcantire.com) - comfy, quiet, sticky, even better, not expensive ... ummmmm ummm good! :)

For tailored suggestion, you need to provide more info on your driving style, need/want, yearly mileage, and budget so we can give you advice accordingly. Falken 615 is an awesome tire, but overkill if not autocrossing/tracking. It is arguably the stickiest street tire before moving onto R-compound (racing tire with little/no grooves).

Since you live in LA, all-season is not really necessary. The ones you listed, Avon, Toyo, and maybe others are all-season. Try looking into Falken Grb FK-451, Kumho MX, and Toyo T1-R as great max-performance summer tires/tyres that easy on the wallet and long-lasting.

don't have KDW's on my 8 (yet), but have very positive experiences with them on other cars... inexpensive, grippy, and long lasting

You might consider going to a 245/40-18. Seems there are many more choices at this size at better prices. I'm running Kumho ASX's. They were a big improvement over the Potenzas wth their noise, vibration and so forth.

yup definitely go for summer max performance tires since you live in Louisiana :D

Kumho Extsta Spt
BF Goodrich g-force T/A KDW

I've had both of those. Well actually it was the KDW2. Right now I am on the SPT. They aren't bad. I was short on cash and you can't beat $100 a tire. I liked the KDW2's better, but I am satisfied. The Kumhos were worth the money. I live in Louisiana also and our roads are bad. I wouldn't spend too much on tires here.

Thanks for the info! Still researching and pricing. Not sure who the winners are yet, but will have to decide soon. I only need tires to get me here and there, not racing or anything. Just want something that sticks and grips around them curves and on wet days. Our roads do pretty much suck here in Louisiana so they're gonna take a beating anyway. Thanks again.

I Bought The Avons Because I Seen Very Good Rating From Tire Rack. The Dunlop Dz101 Are Sold In Sears By Me But I Can't Find Any Rating On Those So I Got The Avons Will Update After Winter Is Over.

Toyo T1R's. Check out this place here. I got my Toyo T1S's (previous generation) tires here & they were great.

www.edgeracing.com

On my second set of Bridgestone SO3's 245x40x18 - great improvement over the stock RE040's and last longer - got over 21K miles (with rotation)

BF Goodrich g-force T/A KDW2

for 225/45/18's you shouldnt pay more then $177 per tire. 245/40/18's will cost you $179 per tire.

Get those. I have them in 245/40/18's all around. The car is so much more stable in the rain. If you tend to oversteer, dont plan on doing it with these. All I tend to do is understeer. :(