Has anyone test driven the new TL with both the standard and the HP summer tires? My dealer recently told me he had finally found a 6MT in my color choice (anthro/ebony) but it had the HP summer tires. The dealer said he would change replace the HP tires if I wished.

Any recommendations? (And any thoughts on road noise? One of the things I loved on my test drive with the regular tires was the quiet cabin. Will the noiser HP tires spoil that?)

Thanks in advance!

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2004 TL - 6MT, Anthro/Ebony, NAVI, tires TBD

 

Since the dealership already knows that the tires are an issue, see if they will go for replacing the tires with Michelin Pilot A/S. Far better choice than EL42's or the HP. I am extremely pleased with the performance and quietness of the Pilots on my 6MT. Do a search and you will find a lot of agreement that the Pilot A/S's are the way to go.

 

Down in Texas where the temperatures range from hot to hotter, you shouldn't have much of a problem with the dreaded flatspotting that the EL42's experience.....plus, you don't have much use for an all-season tire down there anyways like the EL42. I would take the 6MT with the optional summer tire and call it a day.

 

200 dollars for the HPT's are a no brainer if the weather is always good down there. you dun have to worry about snow. everyone seems to love the pilot sports here but its not the best tire since sliced bread. to even try to convince the dealer to upgrade to from the el42's to pilot would take a little coaxing. you would probably have to add at least $100 a tire to get the Michellins. i agree that they are a good tire but its not that great. get the HPT's from acura for a $200 upgrade. they have no flat spotting issues and is a summer tire which will give you great traction. the only reason i would get the pilots is because of all weather capability, if i were in any southern state it would be summer tires all year round.

 

I also have a 6mt Anthracite/Ebony with the HP tires and so far so good. I don't think the tires are noisy, and they look better than the all season IMHO. They are not the best tires available, but for $200 they are a good choice if you don't drive in the snow. They handle great, are quiet and good looking and don't have any of the flatspotting issues that the EL's have. I like them!

 

I've HPTs on my 6MT. Do not have any problems and sticks like a glue when weather is hot. Like in Houston. Go for HPTs for another $200.

 

HPT are by far a better value and better tire. If you live where it snows, you'll need snow tires anyway.