'95 M refreshening...

IMO the KYB AGX's are better than the Tokico's. They offer a greater range of adjustment, and seem to be rather durable by people that really abuse their Miatas. Once you add stiff springs, like many due to their Miatas, the shocks tend to wear out fast. Many people report shorter lives with the Tokicos and longer life with the AGX.

My Miata has Flyin' Miata springs and AGX shocks. The AGX shocks can handle a wide range of spring rate. They adjust from slightly less damping than stock shocks to just over 200% more damping. They are only single adjustable though, of course the Tokico's are only single adjustable too. You also save around $100 buying the AGX's and if not better, they are at least as good as the Tokico's.

Tires.... who cares how they stick in the rain or snow? Of course, I'm crazy in this respect.

Get brakes on that right rear wheel! ASAP.

AnthonyS

When it arrives, replace all four locks with standard lugnuts (or sacrifice a large socket and remove them destructively). No thief steals

I don't understand your problem with them in the rain--I think they're fabulous. The new Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 is getting excellent reviews. They may or may not deliver the plush ride of the Toyos, though. $83 at tirerack.com, plus a $50 rebate.

I don't see how you could miss with AGX, unless you can't tolerate their "squish" noise over speed bumps. Make sure you install them with the knobs facing the rear.

:)

It seemed kind of weird at first, but now I rather like it.

Hmmm... could it be an inflation/tire pressure issue?

I've actually been quite happy with my Yoko Parada Spec-2s but will likely replace them with AVS ES100s or T-1Ss. The biggest problem I've had with the Parada Spec-2s is that they are

Dana

"Lanny Chambers" wrote

I finally did this and my local dealer actually GAVE me the four lugnuts. It probably helped that I was picking up an OEM cat-back for the '90, but the gesture was appreciated.

Anyone want a key and set of four locks? (seriously)

Try the Yoko AVS ES-100. They are less tricky on wet slippery roads if you ask me. Although I only got them because I could not get T1-S tires at a moment's notice, I will probably get another set when they wear out.

Leon

Leon, why do you prefer them - is it the enhanced wet traction or some other characteristic?

Dana

I also like the Yoko AVS ES-100's, they handle great in the dry, are comfortable and have fairly low road noise. I haven't tried them in the rain yet. The price was the best part. Assuming that they are ok in the rain I will also get another set unless something else looks like a better value at the time.

Pat '96M

Not so much enhanced, more good natured if the road has a slippery spot. I also think they may be better at auto cross, but I am not a precision driver, so take that with a big grain of salt.

Leon

Two thumbs up on the AVS ES-100's if you don't need snow traction, love them on my Miata.

Well, I do have the factory BBS rims, but I still agree with you and am already planning on installing standard lugs.

Since I was so happy with the dry-weather performance of the Toyos so far, I think I'll stick with those. I don't understand our conflicting opinions of wet weather traction either, but I'm sure sure you're aware I'm not the only owner that's made comments like those.

I had a car with shocks that made the squish noise over speed bumps. To tell you the truth, I thought it was kind of neat then, so that won't be an issue.

Thanks for your advice.

When you say "less tricky", are you somewhat acknowledging a possible issue with the T1-Ss in wet weather, or are you merely commenting on the positive qualities of the Yokos in wet situations?

While I don't have a problem with the price of the Toyos, I do see that the Yokos are significantly cheaper, which is nothing I'd ever complain about. I don't, however, want to significantly sacrifice dry weather handling to save a hundred dollars or two. Are you going to buy another set based on price, performance, or the unique combination of both?

I also see Pat vouching for these things. Both of yours are opinions I respect among a handful of posters (you, him, Lanny, Dana, a few others) and this goes a long way towards making a decision.

Why, thank ye very much. The only Toyo T1-S that I have ever driven on were about half-worn, so I can not make a direct comparison between the two. I think that the Yokohama AVS ES 100's handle dry pavement as well as anything I have driven on, but my perception could be off a bit since I went from completely worn out tires with a bad alignment to a fresh set of rubber properly lined up.

Pat '96M

I am sure that in this group I agreed with you (or someone else) before that the T1-S tires are sometimes a bit tricky in the wet.

Don't pay much attention to price normally, within reason. I agree with Lanny that tires are an expendable, just like gas. Do *you* drive slowly to save gas? I plan to buy them again since if the Toyos are better in the dry, *I* certainly cannot find the difference, and I do believe they are more reliable in the wet.

My opinion about handling is not authoritative.

Leon

OK, just checking.

Agreed, and since my last set of T1-Ss lasted me over two years, it's not much of an issue.

No.

OK, that's exactly what I wanted to know. While I don't take the Miata out if it's raining (generally the top stays down), it's not uncommon to run into some thunderstorms or something.

And neither is mine, which is why I trust you at least as much as myself.