You're dead wrong about the Direzzas wet performance, it was the sole reason I bought the tire. They are outstanding in the wet. When I was on RSA's even in damp conditions making a corner was always stressful. They are extremely unpredictable and can spin you at any time. I have complete confidence in wet or dry conditions with the Direzzas. Check your Tire Rack data again and you'll see that the Direzzas out performed every tire in its class in the wet. I'm talkin DARK green SUPERIOR performance. But hey, to each his own. As for that bull about if you know how to drive any tire will suffice. Well, some tires make it a whole lot easier. I know, because I have them. Check out this link, particularly the wet portions. Those are some pretty good tires that the direzza crushed. Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Ride & Drive Review
Or this one on what we liked... Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1
Those color codings are based on the ratings given by users, not TireRack from their testing. They're absolutely pointless because any joe shmoe can put 10 in that rating without ever even owning the tires.
If you take and compare the testing done of the Direzza vs the testing done of the Asymmetric you'll see the Asymmetric actually out performs it significantly in wet situations. Which as I said Extreme Performance Summer sacrifice wet traction for responsiveness and dry traction, which comparing the values you'll see that to be true. Testing New Trends In Max Performance Tires
I never said "Extreme Performance Summer have horrible wet traction," just that they sacrifice extreme wet traction for extreme dry traction. It's why they have better dry traction then the groups below them like the GS-D3 and the Asymmetric. I said what I meant and I meant what I said.
The Direzzas are great tires in the dry and wet. If you are pushing your car to the limits in the wet, hope it's on the track. Sounds like you have your mind already made up there!
Cheers
M
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It should be pointed out that Brentil has a very good point about reviews. You need to know how to read them and there are usually many, many, many variables left out. I read reviews everyday and end up disregarding most of them because they lack important information. Like the vehicle they were on, where they were driven, how they were driven, the tire someone is comparing them to, is the driver over sensitive or under sensitive, and on and on. Ultimately the ones that will help you the most are obviously the ones that relate most to you. Take all of them with a grain of salt, some with buckets of salt, and make sure your research is not just limited to them. Read the manufactures specs on them, read magazine articles on them and walk into a store, look and touch them. Add all those things and more and you will be much more satisfied with the product you end up purchasing.
It should also be noted that a lot of tire testing is set up in very controlled situations and it too should be taken with some salt, a lot less than reviews but again, with some level of salt. Everyday driving conditions are constantly changing unlike that of may tests, you are not that same driver as the one who set up the test and you are not driving in the exact same temperature, time of day, or even the same vehicle. (in most cases).
Those color codings are based on the ratings given by users, not TireRack from their testing. They're absolutely pointless because any joe shmoe can put 10 in that rating without ever even owning the tires.
If you take and compare the testing done of the Direzza vs the testing done of the Asymmetric you'll see the Asymmetric actually out performs it significantly in wet situations. Which as I said Extreme Performance Summer sacrifice wet traction for responsiveness and dry traction, which comparing the values you'll see that to be true. Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Ride & Drive Review
I never said "Extreme Performance Summer have horrible wet traction," just that they sacrifice extreme wet traction for extreme dry traction. It's why they have better dry traction then the groups below them like the GS-D3 and the Asymmetric. I said what I meant and I meant what I said.
Look pal...I don't think you have a clue. What are you 12...The first link I gave you is a legitimate Tire Rack 4 tire test performed on one car, a BMW 325. In it, the Direzza showed that it was the best all around tire especially when you figure price constraints. and that its wet performance was tremendous. There were no "users" involved here. Plus I am a 30 year driver who has done hot laps on more than a dozen race tracks. I'm telling you that if you can get your hands on four of the first generation Direzzas at $120 apiece, you would be a fool not to do it. Go ahead and pay the extra cash for that cool looking tread on the Goodyears. But when it comes to performance, they don't call it extreme for nothing. This tire has NO downside to it, it is flawless in the dry and even better in the wet. Ask anybody who has them like nomadsole for instance. I drive aggressive and fast all the time have driven on at least 60 different sets of tires. Falkens, Yokos, Goodyears, Bridgestones, Pirellis, you name it. I am only trying to help you when I say that these are the best tires that I have EVER driven on. The fact that I STOLE them from Tire Rack for $105 apiece with a $50 rebate just made it all the sweeter. But hey, do what you want to do man. But I think these tires would be a perfect fit for Florida.
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2006 Envious base car loaded w/manual trans, limited slip, black/charcoal interior, custom Solo "Storm" single outlet exhaust with 4" tip. Vector tune, Dashhawk, K&N flat panel air filter, Dunlop Direzza Z1 tires, black GM splashguards, 2" machined aluminum stubby antenna and 1/4" tinted Windjammer wind restrictor.
The Dunlop's are better in the dry and the Goodyears are better in the wet. I think the Goodyears offer a better balance of wet and dry, while the Dunlop's give up wet performance for superior dry traction, just like brentil said. On a cost basis the Dunlop's are steal like Envious06 says.
I'd like to see you guys on a race track, even if it was wet. Good luck with the Goodyears. I would've spent that grand on two sets of Direzzas and still had enough left to buy my Dashhawk.
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2006 Envious base car loaded w/manual trans, limited slip, black/charcoal interior, custom Solo "Storm" single outlet exhaust with 4" tip. Vector tune, Dashhawk, K&N flat panel air filter, Dunlop Direzza Z1 tires, black GM splashguards, 2" machined aluminum stubby antenna and 1/4" tinted Windjammer wind restrictor.
i put on the direzza's, & what a difference, but i autox, so the difference between the rsa's & the direzza's are night & day, even for real world driving in the rain, the rsa use to scare the crap out of me when it was wet, & in vancouver that's often. but what i said in another post is that these tires are so sticky, that they pick up everything on the road, & throws it against the side of the car, causing damage, with these tires, it is a must that you put a ventureshield type product ( gm parts have it) on the corner panel in front of the back tires. if you don't you will ruin the finish of the your car. i can't compare to the
f1's because i haven't tried them, but i will tell you i don't think they could possibly be that much better, especially for the buck.
Look pal...I don't think you have a clue. What are you 12...The first link I gave you is a legitimate Tire Rack 4 tire test performed on one car, a BMW 325. In it, the Direzza showed that it was the best all around tire especially when you figure price constraints. and that its wet performance was tremendous. There were no "users" involved here. Plus I am a 30 year driver who has done hot laps on more than a dozen race tracks. I'm telling you that if you can get your hands on four of the first generation Direzzas at $120 apiece, you would be a fool not to do it. Go ahead and pay the extra cash for that cool looking tread on the Goodyears. But when it comes to performance, they don't call it extreme for nothing. This tire has NO downside to it, it is flawless in the dry and even better in the wet. Ask anybody who has them like nomadsole for instance. I drive aggressive and fast all the time have driven on at least 60 different sets of tires. Falkens, Yokos, Goodyears, Bridgestones, Pirellis, you name it. I am only trying to help you when I say that these are the best tires that I have EVER driven on. The fact that I STOLE them from Tire Rack for $105 apiece with a $50 rebate just made it all the sweeter. But hey, do what you want to do man. But I think these tires would be a perfect fit for Florida.
Yes, I'm 12. That's how I got to be the administrator of solsticeforum, skyroadster, gtoforum, ssrfanatic, and xlrforum.
I have yet to say the Direzza has bad wet traction, all I said was the GS-D3 and Asymmetric have better wet traction. The definition of Extreme Summer tires as given to us by the reps at TireRack is a tire that has extreme dry traction and response at the expense of wet traction. Once again I'd like to point out that is not saying they have bad wet traction, it's just that it's not their focus.
Your first link showed the Direzza was rated best against the BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KD, Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R, and Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD07 which are all Extreme Summer tires, meaning their focus is dry traction. I'm not disagreeing with that. I was showing TireRacks reviews of the GS-D3 and Asymmetric that showed those tires outperforming the Direzza in wet conditions and then even stated yes the Direzza beats them in dry traction. I don't see what the issue is here?
Attached is an image combining all the scores from the tires for wet values. All tests are done in the same 2006 BMW E90 325i Sedan on the same track. Also these extra two items from the testing.
Stopping Distance Wet - Feet from 50-0
Direzza - 97.3 (actually beats the GS-D3 in this category)
GS-D3 - 98.6
Asymmetric - 92.1
Cornering Force Wet (g-Force)
Direzza - 0.86 (matches GS-D3)
GS-D3 - 0.86
Asymmetric - 0.92
Which as I stated I wanted tires with a main focus of wet traction over dry for daily driving. I don't need these tires for track events or auto-x, I trailer race tires to events to use.
Oh my gosh.....You're talking miniscule results versus hundreds of dollars....I guess if you got it, go for it...I'm done with you...
Yaaaaaaa!
We're gonna have a pissing contest with an adminstrator!
Why did you buy a Solstice? To lump all Goodyears as similar quality because of brand, would keep you from buying any Pontiac! After all, Pontiac made the Aztec! (No offence to Hal- this is purely example!)
C'mon, Envious. The miniscule numbers are what they are and make the tires comparable- before the pricing issue comes into play. I am going to say that I am no expert in tires beyond my 40 years of driving experiences. The Eagle F1's (pre all-weather)are fabulous in the rain (which is more important to me because my Sol is a daily driver), but not good in cold, which is one area the RSAs actually work okay.
I, too am price conscious. But that has to be tempered with my needs. I drive in the rain. I drive in the dry. Heat and cold. My Solstice ain't no sissy (the supercharger might give that away ), but I do not perform burnouts to impress the local redneck constituency.
I do like hearing about new tire offerings to fit our cars. When I got my Sol, the options were much more limited than they are now, and probably still less than in the future.
Thanks Brentil for continuing to demonstrate how to carry on a dissenting opinion without lowering yourself to the online version of putting your hand up and suggesting that others "Talk to the Hand!"
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We're gonna have a pissing contest with an adminstrator!
Why did you buy a Solstice? To lump all Goodyears as similar quality because of brand, would keep you from buying any Pontiac! After all, Pontiac made the Aztec! (No offence to Hal- this is purely example!)
C'mon, Envious. The miniscule numbers are what they are and make the tires comparable- before the pricing issue comes into play. I am going to say that I am no expert in tires beyond my 40 years of driving experiences. The Eagle F1's (pre all-weather)are fabulous in the rain (which is more important to me because my Sol is a daily driver), but not good in cold, which is one area the RSAs actually work okay.
I, too am price conscious. But that has to be tempered with my needs. I drive in the rain. I drive in the dry. Heat and cold. My Solstice ain't no sissy (the supercharger might give that away ), but I do not perform burnouts to impress the local redneck constituency.
I do like hearing about new tire offerings to fit our cars. When I got my Sol, the options were much more limited than they are now, and probably still less than in the future.
Thanks Brentil for continuing to demonstrate how to carry on a dissenting opinion without lowering yourself to the online version of putting your hand up and suggesting that others "Talk to the Hand!"
Way to bow down and kiss that administrator a$$ that is half your age. Maybe you'll get a gold star for good behavior or something. Certainly won't be for what you know. BTW the RSA's totally suck in the snow. Over five miles an hour anyhow.
Good luck with the Goodyears. I would've spent that grand on two sets of Direzzas and still had enough left to buy my Dashhawk.
