I just got back from Big O. They have tires coming from their warehouse. Today I will be driving on Nitto Motivo A/S ultra high performance. With c. a hundred bucks of protection added on (against killed tires, like
@Gordo's lag bolts; he told me last night), i am out the door for under a thousand. So, after all this pro Nitto Motivo talk, I am stoked. Looking forward to never having to swap my tires all year and having a quiet ride. We'll see.
Btw, I had Big O check my Michelin summer tread; was surprised to learn that, after 10K miles, my front tires are almost like new, and my rear tread is at c. 80% WTH!? I like to drive "spirited" as much as the next guy/gal, but most of the time I drive conservatively. I had no idea that my rear tires had that much tread left. If the Nittos work (are quiet enough; I'm sure their performance is good enough for me), I won't need the Michelins back on in the spring. I will need to sell them. But, all of this is speculation: I may find the A/S noisy by comparison. And if there is one thing I will not put up with it is any increase in road noise; it is quite enough as is, thank you.