Topic: Non-winter tires for Imprezza

[redcar]

Great forum, everyone.

I'm looking for some advice for a Subaru Imprezza Sport Wagon (205/55R16).  I read reviews about the stock Bridgestone Potenza RE92s  and it sounds like they, well, suck for anything other than optimal conditions (ie. dry pavement).   

So I'm looking for alternatives for the upcoming non-winter months.   

For driving around Calgary, south/west Alberta and especially the mountains, I'm thinking that all-season would be a better choice than true summer tires (can have both hot&dry and cold&wet in the same summer, and last year we had snow at least once every month).  And it's not just the snow, but the ice and (later) slush.  I figure it'll be about 50/50 city/highway driving.  And I know there's no help against gravel but probably 10-15% of "highway" driving is on gravel/unimproved roads.

So here's what I've come up with so far:

BF Goodrich Traction T/A (H-rated)
Toyo Proxes TPT (H-rated)
Kumho AFX (?? or ASX?) (W-rated)
Nokian WR (H or V-rated)

I've read ratings and reviews of these tires and they all seem like good choices.  I also phoned around local tire dealers, and got a different answer from everyone.

Someone also recommended using the RE92s until winter, then getting winter tires.

The dealer who recommended the Nokian suggested they'd be good for year-round driving.

All the dealers (other than the one who recommended the W-rated Kumhos which he said were very good in wet) talked about going to an H-rated.  I've read many discussions about downgrading the speed rating (the stock tires are V-rated), but I don't know if we really need the Vs -- we're not aggressive drivers.  And we do less than 10,000km/year.

So what I'm looking for (other than the perfect tire) is:
- something that can handle well in poor conditions, but won't lose a lot of rubber driving on dry highways
- dry AND wet handling is more important than performance
- noise is least important (I'm used to truck tires)
- a stiffer ride is preferred (I hate soft and mushy)

From everything I've read, the Traction T/As sound like they're the best all-round fit.  But it seems wrong that you can buy them anywhere!

Any comments and recommendations would be appreciated!   
Thanks.

[bmorton]

I also have an Impreza (one z) wagon with that same tire size. I put new tires on it in the fall and decided to go with the Continental ContiExtremeContact (V-rated) tire. A lot of other Subaru owners have chosen this tire and from the reviews I read it sounded like what I had in mind: one of the more capable all-seasons, decent in snow, excellent in wet, and a good handler although not as crisp as a more performance-oriented tire. No complaints here. They're definitely grippier than the RE92s.  

The Toyos are another tire that Subaru drivers often choose, ditto for the Pirelli P Zero Nero M&S. I personally wouldn't downgrade the speed rating to save a few bucks on tires that I was putting on my car, but that's your choice. The BFG Traction T/A also comes in a V rating in the size you need so you're not forced to take an H there.

[ghost]

aww.... no love for the RE92s?!

[footlong58]

RE92's come factory on '04 and up EL's...  They don't last long at all...  Many people have switched to Traction T/A's for the next set of tires...

[vz64]

How about Pirelli P-Zero Nero M&S? They are W-rated, 400-tread wear, all-seasonal tires with excellent reviews. I know many subi owners like this rubber.

[johngenx]

Falken 512s?

[johngenx]

And winter tires.  Don't so all-seasons in the winter.