OK, so I do my best to help everyone out, now its time to return the favor.

I'm looking around for some summer tires (I have nice winter tires already) and want to know what people would recommend. I don't care about all-seasons, I want something with big treadblocks and excellent dry traction with decent wet traction.

I don't want anything cheap; I'm looking for performance tires but I don't necessarily want the short life span of soft top-tier tires like Potenza RE-01Rs. No Neo-Gens, they're crap.

Tell me what you've used, what you like and don't like. I'm looking for personal experiences here, not what looks cool on someone's website or what you saw in Honda Tuner last month.

They will be 235/40/18, so not everything is available in that size.

I'd like some Dunlop Direzza Star Specs... but again, too soft probably. Not bad priced though, way cheaper than RE-01Rs.

BTW, they're for a WRX.

 

While not necessarily a dedicated summer tire, I've been relatively pleased with my Nitto 55555555555's. I feel incredibly confident driving in rain, so long as I'm cautious about applying throttle...but that has nothing to do with the tire. I've done several autocrosses and one track weekend, plus numerous 1/4 passes, and I feel that they are very well-rounded. The only thing I don't really care for about the tires are the prices. I paid $196 for 1 (one) 265/35/18 two months ago; my next set of wheels will be 17's.
With that said, my next set will probably be some RT-615 Azenis, but I've heard mixed reviews about treadwear and wet traction. My car isn't a daily driver, so I'm willing to sacrifice a little of either to have the performance. The last set of tires I had on my car came with it when I bought it..they were Kumho 711's. Man, did I really dislike those tires. It took very little throttle to get sideways in the rain, plus they were incredibly noisy. This isn't first-hand experience, but I've got a few friends with the Kumho MXs and they are happy with the tire.

 

Ecsta MXs are looking like a top runner right now, even though they are a little long in the tooth. $20 less (each) than the Direzza StarSpecs, tread wear is probably similar.

Anyone know rough real-world mileage figures on the MXs?

Potenza RE760s are looking like another budget choice, longer life than MXs but not as grippy.

Falken Azenis 615s could work too, they're cheap enough that I probably won't mind replacing them often.

Hankook Ventus RS-2? Anyone?

 

If you haven't already, some searching on corner-carvers.com might turn up some good results.

 

I loved my Falken RT615s

 

Ok, so here is the shorter list based on the impressions I've been getting from people:

Kumho Ecsta SPT (cheap, long life but not great grip)
Kumho Ecsta MX
Yokohama S.Drive
Bridgestone Potenza RE760
Hankook Ventus R-S2

Others:
Dunlop Direzza StarSpec (Bad treadlife? Too new to know..)
Falken Azenis RT-615 (Bad treadlife, not great in the wet, but cheap)

 

Mileage on the street?

 

I put them on my civic about a month before I sold it, but the guy replaced them in January.... so 8months, can't say the mileage.

I'm getting them on the S when I can pick up a second set of wheels.

 

I use sumitomo htr III for my s2k love it

 

Why didn't you like the Neo Gens? They seem to be good for me so far.

No one has mentioned KDWs yet. I'm probably going to get those next.