Just fitted two new Adrenalins Re001 upfront, took the front stock Potenzas Re040 to the back. Less noise, softer ride. But, I have a feeling it may be just because they are new. I've always found worn tyres quite noisy, even when I replace them with the exact same brand and model, the ride is suddenly refined. Perhaps this is the source of different impression, the new tyre "appears" better unless it really, really sucks.

I like my SPT's so far. Its getting toward the rainy season so we'll see how they go. I mostly drive my car around town and on freeways and the SPT have one of the best ride/noise/comfort in our weird stock size.

From all the reviews, I have read that the SPTs are pretty good in the wet as well.

Mine had stock Dunlops. ??!!

some had potenzas some had dunlops. I THINK most 05's had Potenzas though...

I've had these for about 15k miles now. I dunno, I don't think I will get them again. They like to track everything and at the same time have sluggish turn-in. They seem to lose grip alot too (esp comes on during the most mundane manuevers) I guess if you live in a place with good roads, it might a be a better choice..

or you could learn about air pressure and how it works in a tire..

beers :beer:

WOW... I feel like Im evolving... I have my cart all ready for checkout on tirerack.com and thought, maybe I should look into what other people are wearing on there 8's.. I have the SPT's in my checkout.... Now Im concerned about them... Overall it looks like they will be a good tire but I dont need anything that wears fast.. Im already on my 3rd set of tires in 2 years, just dosent seem like I replaced tires that often on other cars. I thinkIm gonna go for it and order them.. Will see what happens!

Actually.. I have a question.... I have the Dunlop Direzza DZ101's on my car right now. It says they are ultra high performance summer tires.... Do I really need to be concerned about that in the winter time in NC? I live at the beach, not exactly a winter wonderland here.

I don't think you will have a problem, except when it rains. Drive slower and be safer.

Uh, beg to differ?
 

Not the OEM 040 Potenzas; they suck. I now run S03 Pole Positions Potenzas, and they are fine, high-performance tires that grip well under hard cornering. But after the OEMs ran their course, I put on a new set of Ecsta SPTs. The SPTs were stickier, quieter, gripped better in dry and wet--better in every way. :Eyecrazy:

I've been sporting the SPT's for about 15,000 miles now and they are a great tire! For sure the best value for the performance you get. I am, however, going to be upgrading to a larger MX tire next time. I went through the stock Potenza's in a little over 20,000 miles.

I guess everyone's experience differs. My Kumho's have always had grip problems that I never had with the stock tires. I'll give you ride comfort and noise- the stocks were loud! I'm in the market for some new tires- how do you like those Pole Positions?

Just Picked had my Ecstas mounted after going through my second set of Potenzas WOW night and day diffence so much more quiet doesn't even sound like the same car.

Granted I'm not an aggressive driver the RX8 is just my daily driver to and from work (and the occasional strip club).

truer words have never been spoken

I'm not crazy about the SPTs. I bought them for their wet performance and hoping to run them in the cold dry, but definitely less overall grip in the dry and poorer turn-in than the OEM Bridgestones. Comfortable and quiet, yes, but not aggressive enough for the capabilities of the RX-8 IMHO, too much of a compromise for this car. Not sure what I'll try next. My wife will kill me if I get a 4th set of wheels (2 sets already for the Miata) but I'm beginning to think I need 3 sets of wheels for each car just for street use.

i hate the tire, bumpy/bad traction

anyone tried the General Tire Exclaim UHP? has the highest rating and cheap price... any faults on this not mentioned?

Bump