Given
87%
while driving a
Toyota Celica VVTLi
(205/45 R17) on
a combination of roads
for 8
spirited miles
How you rate a tire (or anything else for that matter) will always be influenced by what you have used before. I found the Pirelli Zero Asymmetrics that came with this car very good all round, but when the time came to replace them I was told that they were no longer available and was recommended Pirelli Zero Neros instead. As others have found, these had good dry grip but in the wet inspired no confidence at all. To make matters worse, tram lining was a constant issue. The Neros had to go and were later replaced by Goodyear Eagle F1s on the front driven wheels. Grip was good, but the tires felt spongy and the steering a little bit numb compared to previously.
After pouring through the reviews here I eventually decided to try Avon ZZ5s on all four wheels. The car was transformed. The tires are incredibly quiet, tram lining is non-existant, and the handling and "feel" of the car is spot on. These tires have done 8,000 miles now of often spirited driving and tread wear is at 47% front and 38% rear. Grip is excellent and inspires confidence in all all conditions (I have not yet tried them in snow or ice). They have never lost traction in the dry, and are as good as any I've used in the wet. The front tires do sometimes come unstuck when hitting lift (power cam over 6,200 rpm) in second gear on wet roads, but any loss of grip is only momentarily and the car still feels stable and controlled. For a light car with agile handling such as the Celica, I can highly recommend the Avon ZZ5s. They are at least as good if not better than any of the premium brand tires I have used, are British made and are significantly cheaper. Would definately buy again.