Applicable to: '99-'05 1.8 liter
The S.drive radial is Yokohama's Ultra High Performance Summer tire developed for the drivers of sports cars, sporty coupes and performance sedans.
These tires have great grip and look dynamite. However the side walls are soo soft that the car wallows whenever you need to make any type of quick right/left moves (think of pulling out to pass and seeing a semi headed towards you in the same lane - probably pull back quick). I even jacked up the pressure to 44 PSI and they still wallow. I've got about 2000 miles on these tires. Wish Michelin made tires to fit this car.
Not recommended for any general driving.
Not an installed item
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99-'05 '06+
S-Drive Tires by Yokohama, 205/45 16
Now that I have over 5,000 miles in dry and wet conditions with this tire, I feel compelled to write a review. In short: Very nice tire, definitely recommended. Longer version: I have found these tires stick as well as any other sport tire I've tried. Wet or dry. Very predictable in that I have yet to experience them suddenly snap loose. I did force it into oversteer once on the autocross course but the tires provided great feedback through it all and gave me plenty of opportunity to react. The sidewalls do have a bit of extra flex to them which softens the ride in my '92 with Koni coil-over adjustables. Personally, not a bad thing but the flex is perceptible if you're typically notice these types of things. Really good in the wet. I was travelling on the highway during a terrential downpour and never felt the slightest bit of hydroplaning at reasonable speed (other cars had pulled off the road). I would likely buy these again.
Very good tire for normal summer use, wet or dry. Definitely recommend.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97
Sears-specific H-rated all weather tire
I've had these tires some months and have put maybe 7000 miles on them, so they aren't very worn. They work very well in dry weather. Here in Florida we have been in a drought for a while, so I haven't had them in wet weather very much. Its finally rained, and I will replace these tires as soon as I can. They're scaring me to death. I can't accelerate away from a light without fishtailing, and cornering is a frightening adventure that I can do without. I have to drive like both the car and I are made of glass. With the rainy season just beginning, I have to make a change.
These tires weren't cheap, and came highly recommended. I'm not too happy about having to replace them so soon, but if I fear for my life every time I drive in the rain, so be it.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99-'05 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Ultra High Performance "Summer" Tire
Just had these tires installed today (12/30/06) to correct a bad tire problem with Avid H4 (pulling to one side). First impression is a slightly stiffer ride, though I don't know what PSI they were inflated to. Drove back roads home and was delighted with the handling. No shimmy at any speed up to 80+mph. The tread has an aggressive look. Minimal info on the Yokohama website for this particular size; e.g. does it or does it not have the steel sidewall insert?
I made this purchase based on reviews on this website. They are called "summer" tires which I assume means "not worth much in the snow but rain is ok." As I live in the SF Bay Area I didn't think snow was going to be an issue at any time of the year. I bought them from TireRack.com, had them drop-shipped to one of their "Recommended Installers" in Berkeley, CA called Auto Options. Price and delivery were much better than the local tire shops here in El Sobrante. Delivery was prompt and Auto Options did fine work, as far as I can tell. I understand the tires need to break-in for about 500 or so miles to wear off the release agent in the outermost part of the tread. I will write again once this has occured. Baby gots new shoes!
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter
Yokohama EVS100 from Tire Rack in 2002
Replaced alloys with 16" K1's w/ Yoko EVS100 205/45/16 - daily street driving, drag & autocross
good strong tire.. had 3 nails removed and no issues... wish they were a bit more stickier. I have had the tire on for about 30K, plus they have been abused with drag racing a few times and autocrossing a few times... time for replacement... this time I am going to try kumho escta spt in 205/40/16.
Not an installed item
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
Yokohama ES100 195/50/15 ($67/each balanced & mounted)
Excellent tire and great price! Rides beautifully and looks great with my new wheels. I HIGHLY recommend this tire to any car owner. It really *IS* the tire to buy.
Shop around...prices can be from $61-$78 depending on the dealer. I recommend purchasing them from a tire shop.
Not an installed item
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
Yokohama Parada Spec 2 205/40R16
I replaced OEM Bridgestones w/ this tire. During 2 track times, the OEMs chunked pretty bad. I did flub & get a 205/40 instead of 205/45 (What was I thinking?) so now the speedo is a little off. I've had two track days w/ the Spec 2s & they are really good on the track. I run 40lbs per corner. I'm still learning the character of the handling in the corners. It's been a predictable tire at the speeds I've been attaining at Firebird Main & East. Much nicer that the OEMs. While it doesn't rain a lot here in Tucson, I had the experience of driving in a blinding rainstorm on my to Phoenix a couple of months ago. Rained so hard that traffic on I-10 slowed to 75mph! Tires did very well in the wet. They didn't feel loose until we got to ~95mph & then it was gradual. No surprises. Remains to be seen how they wear. So far, so good.
I might very well replace them w/ the same when they're gone, but I'm also interested in the Azenis, too. I'm definitely going to get the right size (although see the forthcoming review on FM springs & KYB AGX shocks).
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter
The Parada is a low profile high perfomance street radial. They feature a directional tread pattern which is very good at evacuating rain. Also, due to their design they also have very large tread blocks which, although a bit noisier than your standard street tire, do grip like the dickens.
I purchased these tires as a set after owning my Miata for only 2 weeks. I have had them on my car for just under 3 years now and they are still wearing well. I have really enjoyed these tires, they have made me a believer in Yokahama. At the limit they have a very progressive break-away and very little squeal. Their stiff side walls incorperate a rim protector and provide excellent feedback. I purchased them in 205/45/16. Although there are lower profile sidewalls available in this tire I would not put them on my car, this is due to the fact that I live in ST. Louis and realisticly, unless you drive on glass smooth roads all of the time you will have problems not only with ride quality but with keeping your tires from being punctured by every pot-hole you hit.
I wanted a tire which would behave like an autocross tire but for the street. These babys are just that. They take abuse well and last a long time ( for a high performance tire) They are however a bit hard for auto crossing. When it comes to a tire that is a really good all around performer these hit the mark. I may purchase them again in fact. And would most certainly recommend them to you.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter
Z-rated performance tire
My '90 Miata sports a set of Parada's in a 205/45/16 size. Overall I've been very happy with them, unless it's wet. Wet weather driving on these tires can be tricky but it's not as difficult as some other brands that I've tried. On dry pavement, I couldn't ask for a better tire. There is no sidewall give, and slide is minimal and very predictable. I use them for daily driving from roughly February to December(that's in St. Louis, MO.) and swap off my pretty rims and tires for OEM during the winter months. Oh, and they look great too!
Not an installed item
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter
Soft sided, quiet, yet quite grippy
If you are going to use your car everyday, this tire is a good compromise. I had a set of Yokohama Intech tires before these. As at that stage the MX5 was our only car so we decided to go for a quieter rather than an all out performance tire. All things being relative, these S306’s don’t seem noticeably quieter than my previous tires. These tires were fitted by our local MX5 service guys. At first drive they seem soft and steering is noticeably lighter. Unfortunately, on centre steering feel is now absorbed by the soft sidewalls. Tires that take away one of the key features of this car don’t rate highly in my book. Having said that, the tires are quite grippy and you have to work harder to lose traction. The ride is very good. If you want your MX5/Miata to handle like they intended, don’t get this tire. If you drive your car on inner city roads and want a quiet, grippy tire that is easy to steer without power steering (like our 90 model) this tire is for you.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
A-539 tire; assymetric replacement (in Europe and Australia at least) for the A-520.
I got these tyres in 195/50 15, H-rated, to replace worn out Kuhmo Ecsta Supra 712 tires. First impressions, once they had been scrubbed off a bit, was that grip, in both the dry and wet is very good. On the track however, I noticed a lot of side-wall slippage at 32 PSI, whereas the Kuhmos would have been fine. The tire has a very square appearance, with an odd criss-cross grooving pattern. So far, wear has been good. Supposedly these have been made in a new silica-rubber that has good wear characteristics.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97
Yokohama A550 tires
Experience has been very good after three months and 4k miles.
This an update on the Sears specific Yokohama's A550 tires. Have received a number of request for information on these tires and have to say I'm very satisfied. Have always experienced a shimy in the front around 60 to 65mph. Have not experienced this with these tires. Holds road very well with rain and on curvy country backroads.
Not an installed item
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
A low performance, soft sided tire with good grip and a comfortable, quiet ride.
I had these tires installed when I hit an object in the road and destroyed one of my tires. The others were pretty far gone and I didn't want to buy just one. This is not a tire I would have selected, it was what Discount Tire had in stock at the time.
A very smooth and quite tire with a lot of side wall flex. They really limit the handling of the car but they give it an incredible ride. I take a lot of long trips and although I would prefer a performance tire, the excellent ride is certainly appreciated on the highway. In spite of the soft side walls, they actually have pretty good grip and are very predictable. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a comfortable tire and a low price who is willing to sacrifice handling for comfort. I personally plan to remove them to a second set of rims - but after I drive 5000 miles all over the west this summer.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
Just purchased this product from Sears and was not provided any info by Sears on the tire aside from POP info. Contacted Yokohama by Email for further info and that was unable to to retrieve any info on internet about product. Was told by company that this product is sold specifically by Sears and is comparable to a certain degree as to the Avid H4/V4 tire. Requested further info and seem not to be getting much further info. Interested in other purchaser comments. Well, in two days I'm happy with performance but concerned with lack of prior experiences by others!
Not an installed item
Applicable to '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
These are the new design of wheels from Yokohama. Very aggressive looking tread pattern. Something different. Dry weather ZR tires.
I saw a new ad in a tuner magazine introducing the new Yokohama Parada's. The tread was split into two different designs. The outer half of the tire had the basic up down straight line style but the inner half of the tread was angled inward in huge bars. After noticing the $107 price per tire (205/40 ZR17), I new I had to try these out. I hit corners hard. I have a Eibach pro-kit (1 inch drop). So far the tires haven't hit my fenders once. The ride is pretty smoother then I expected from 17's. I tried Nitto 450's out first and they handled well but squeeked on hard cornering way too early. These Parada's can be pushed too the limits and not a peep. Super grip. My second gear peal outs and fishtails have been cut almost all the way out because of the great grip. It sucks if you like to have fun getting sideways. The grip is so strong the car skips instead of slidding. It might be from the large rims but I'm guessing it's from the new sticky tires.
When I recieved the tires I noticed that all the wheels had the angled tread part starting from upper left to lower right. From the looks of the tires I figured they would be directional & asymetrical tires. But they are only asymetrical. The left side of the car has a tread going inward while the right of the car has a tread going outward. This looked funny and I thought there was a mistake. I thought both sides would be going inward. So I called Yokohama and asked them if I was sent 4 left tires. They responded no and said that's the way they come. If the other way would have been better we would have made it like that. I trusted their judgement since they are a big corporation and they know what they are doing.
Not an installed item
Applicable to '99 + 1.8 liter
OEM Tires for 14" alloy rims on M2
After 11K miles I am down to 3/32 tread in the center of the tire and 6/32 at the outermost edge. Inflation of tires set to 2 PSI under the maximum suggested inflation on tire sidewall.
These tires run pretty quiet and have good traction in the wet. Once I installed a front strut tower brace bar I can definately feel sidewall sway under hard corners.
I will be trying the AVID H4/V4 since the tread life warranty applies to Yokohamas.
Not an installed item
Snow Tires 185/60/14
Fearing that our Miatas would prove to be dismal snow cars due to their not being FWD, I decided to purchase four dedicated snow tires for each car to see if they made a Virgina winter any more drivable. My previous car, a Nissan 240 SX with All Season tires was for all practical purposes, undrivable in the snow.
Our latest dumping of around 8" of snow has proven my experiment to be an overwhelming success. The Yokohama Guardex tires are fantastic. Grip in the snow is excellent, and acceleration and deceleration capabilities are outstanding. No more loss of control and sliding when downshifting into second while trying to come to a stop. These tires actually make the Miata a pretty decent snow car! Just watch out for deep snow (6") as the front "mouth" acts as a plow!
The only drawback of these tires is that on dry pavement they make the car move around a bit. They are very soft and quick lane changes and high lateral G cornering are out of the question. However once you are used to this, it is a small price to pay for the snow and ice capabilities they posess. I wholeheartedly recommend these tires for anyone wanting all year capabilities from their Miata.
From what I have read, unlike the Blizzak snow tire, the Guardex has it's soft rubber compound all the way down to the casing and so should last twice as long as a Blizzak. A Blizzak only has it's soft compound on the first half of the tread thickness and once this is worn away, the tire reverts to an all season.
| Back to Product Reviews | 15 January, 2014 |
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