Miata Mailing List: April 1993, Message #156
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   From: (none)
Subject: Re: Yokohama AVS-Intermediates vs. A509
   Date: (none)

It is certainly true, as Gordon Day points out, that the 205/55-14
AVS-Is are priced disproportionately higher than the 185/60-14s, and
that you can get *almost* the performance of the AVS-Is for a lower
price with the A-509s.  If memory serves, I got the 185/60-14 AVS-Is
from the Tire Rack -- don't go *anywhere* else -- for less than $90
(U.S.) per tire.  The A-509s (in the same size) would have been more
like $70 per tire.  The extra performance was worth the extra cost
to me, but your mileage may vary.  The 205/55-14 AVS-Is weren't yet
available when I ordered the 185/60s, but it seems to me that I have
seen them listed for almost $120 a tire.  I'd go for it myself, but
(a) I'm a tire freak and (b) I'm used to blowing large wads of cash
on rubber since I have to replace my race tires on a regular basis,
so I guess I've become somewhat immune to tire sticker shock.  I'm
also strongly of the opinion that tires (like shoes) are *not* some-
thing anyone should scrimp on.  The AVS-Is are fantabulous in wet
weather, quite a bit better (I'm told) than the A-509s, and the OEM
Bridgestones were *so* bad that this became a very important selling
point for the pricier tires.

By the way, I am in no way affiliated with Yokohama or the Tire Rack
except as a very satisfied customer of both.  And lest you think me
a singer of but one note, I can often be found recommending the BFG
Comp T/A H/VR4 all-seasons to other folks whose need for performance
tires is somewhat less pronounced than that which is likely to char-
acterize the readers of this list.

- Steve Bruun