Tires R Us?

[STC]

I'll be in the market for new tires coming up in the next year. After three years I have 33,000 miles on my Yaris. My mechanic says the tires look great and the wear is good. They should go another 12,000-15,000 miles. I run my tires at 44psi, as one of my hypermiling techniques. The tires are the factory (OE) Bridgestone Potenza RE 92, P185/60R15. These tires are excellent in handling and overall great for fuel efficiency, but rather costly from what I hear. Someone told me they are a performance tire and at the same time considered a LRR tire!

I'm looking at an all-season tire in the P185/60R15 size for the Yaris. Excellent wear (>500 treadwear), good traction (at least A) and temperature (at least B) with good tire roll capabilities. Doesn't have to be a labeled LRR tire. Cost and fuel efficiency is a large factor. I would rather purchase a < $100 tire. I love the Bridgestone, but it seems a bit expensive over the $100 range!


The list I'm looking at:

Kuhmo Solus KR21? Eco KR22?
Yokohama AVID TRZ? Ascent?
Continetal?
Dunlop?

Have any of you used these manufacturers and brands? Pros and Cons?

Any other recommendations, folks?

The more input I can get with your reviews, the more confident I can be on the purchase. I hate going into things blind.

Cheers! :smile:

[Foot]

My OE Bridgestone only lasted 20k and they were bald at that point, like I should had replaced them at 15k. I purchased some Continental ProContacts from Walmart for something like 400 or 450 with the road side protection. After 7k miles they still look new to me, unlike the OE at 7k. Some forums state they do not like the Procontacts, but I liked them so much I got my wife's Pacifica a set of four when she needed them.
Edit. O yeah, I have never driven in the snow with the yaris so I cannot coment on those conditions.

[why?]

my stock tires lasted for 40,000 miles. Tire Rack is really become a great place to look for tire reviews and opinions.

I bought a set of Yokohama AS430's. They are great in the dry, and horrifically terrible in snow. After about 40,000 miles, they still look really new.

[UberSilver]

The Michelin Defenders I got are rated for 90,000. miles, grip like mad and are good on mpg. They rate them @ 820 A and A(I think).

They cost $103. each from Costco(with a $70. off coupon). DiscountTire will match the price.