[TorqueDog]

On the subject of pure summer rubber versus all-season, I was previously running UHP summer rubber on the Vantage, but when it came time to change the tires, I opted for the all-season ExtremeContacts DWS+. In Calgary, there are days in the spring, fall -- hell, even summer months -- when it is cold enough outside that a dedicated summer compound tire is going to be a hockey puck. I would happily run a dedicated summer tire in a place like Winnipeg where summers are typically scalding. The car is a driver once the snow is gone, so more often than not I'm likely taking it where ever I'm going unless I have a need for the RR. You also get the benefit of longer tread life since a dedicated summer compound will be around a 220 treadwear versus 500+ treadwear for all-season compounds. If you go to the track, get a dedicated track set like Cup 2s or similar that can still be driven on public roads to get you there and back.

Regarding Michelins, I was a diehard Michelin Pilot Sport and Pilot Sport A/S guy for years, but Continental's recent showing with the Sport Contact and ExtremeContact DWS+ lines have really changed my tune. To get >95% the overall performance of the Michelin for anywhere between $75-$100 less per corner (sometimes more) is a complete no-brainer. AM runs the DWS+, RR is still on the Pirellis Scorpion Verde PNCS it came with, but I'll look at Continental's options for noise-cancelling tires when those are ready to be replaced. Pirelli has to be the most overpriced tire manufacturer relative to their performance in comparison tests.