My tires are due for replacement and I'm looking for new tires that best suit my needs. I drive 30,000 km a year, most of which is expressway/provincial driving. I regularly drive spiritedly and enjoy twisty roads, but I try to drive gently as much as I can. I also attend 2-3 track days a year.

I currently have the Achilles 2233, which has lasted me 42,000 km including track use. I've had no complaints with its performance in daily driving and even the occasional mountain road. It doesn't do very well on the track though, and is a bit noisy on the highway. Am looking to upgrade to a more established brand that offers more grip and comfort without sacrificing durability too much.

After several days of research, I've narrowed my choices down to 3 tires:

1. GT Radial Champiro SX2
- P5,900 each
- 200 treadwear rating
- Extreme performance tire, suited for track use but can also double for daily driver duties



2. Kumho Ecsta LE Sport KU39
- P5,500 each
- 280 treadwear rating
- Ultra high performance tire, for more spirited driving compared to touring tires



3. Yokohama BluEarth-A AE50
- P5,500 each
- 320 treadwear rating
- Touring tire, designed for everyday driving with an emphasis on comfort and durability



The GT SX2 is renowned in racing circles as the best-value track day tire that you can still use on a daily basis. It has phenomenal grip compared to UHPs and touring tires, and would certainly improve lap times and make carving mountain roads easier. Unlike other extreme performance tires, the SX2 is affordable, has good grip in the wet, and is pretty durable. However, even as a long-wearing track tire, it still won't match the longevity of a good UHP or touring tire. They say it's good for about 25,000 km, which won't even last me a year. Also, as a track tire, it's pretty noisy for daily use. If I had a weekend car like a Miata, no doubt this would be my first choice, but for a daily driver like my Altis, I'm not sure if it's the ideal option.

The Yokohama BluEarth is on the other end of the spectrum - it's a touring tire designed for regular driving. It will definitely last me at least 40,000 km like my current set of tires, and it's quiet and comfortable as well. However, it's not exactly the most inspiring tire to use for spirited driving on twisty roads, much less the track. That said, I've survived with my low-end Achilles touring tires, so this is still somewhat of an upgrade. Another factor is that this is a Yokohama (though made in the PH). It's a low-end Japanese model going against high-end Korean and Indonesian tires.

The Kumho Ecsta lies somewhere in the middle of the SX2 and BluEarth. It's still good for daily driver duties and I'm confident I can get at least 30,000 km from it. It's definitely grippier than the Yokohama, but surely not as good as the SX2. For a UHP, it's pretty quiet too. It's certainly more suited for spirited driving, and I think it can hold its own for occasional track days as well.

Thoughts? [emoji5]


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