ebodyboy

Yet another Update. I/we just returned from a 3-day trip to Bellingham (via Abbotsford) - with two nights there. Car ran flawlessly and no issues with bad gas or 35 yr. old fuel pump. The (Antares) tires performed awesomely.
We returned on the North Cascades route (SR-20) as never done that one yet. My old days was mostly via route 2 thru Stevens Pass. Anyway, I knew there were a couple high summits. One was about 4800 and highest at almost 5500. They kind of sneak up on you (heading east) so no steady climbs. I learned to listen to the familiar 'groan' from engine/exhaust when car is under some load. Everything worked well. Some sections were very winding with almost blind turns. I enjoy these roads when not following a slow vehicle so I can push my car nearly to its' limit. This road was perfect for that. Many times I would think to myself "I hope car doesn't break loose on this corner". But no, even when I had to crank the wheel the tires stuck like glue. I was very impressed and honestly felt safe. When my Dunlops were new (2001) they never handled as good as these tires. Accelerating from a stop shows good traction as well. Of course I could spin them if I chose to but the LSD works as it should so getting up to highway speed comes quickly.
We did not hit any wet road until we got on the Coke (Coquihalla) just north of Merritt. Speed limit is 120 km/h (74 mph) so I mostly did just that or slightly over. Couple times a much newer car ahead of me would be speeding to pass others - mostly big rigs. I matched him so he could not pull away. Several times we got up to about 170 km/hr. and I could see lots of spray from his tires. I felt very confident with my own tires - even changing lanes on wet road. Soon the guy ahead dropped down to legal speed, I suppose to give me chance to pass, but by then I had proved my point (about performance of car and tires) so I let him slowly pull away. I like this section of highway as there is a 4600 ft. summit and I never had to take it out of 5th. gear.
Again, car ran flawlessly throughout entire 550 mile trip. I would still choose an automatic with P.S. in any city traffic.
I last gassed-up in Omak as (much) cheaper than CDN gas and estimated we got over 30mpg. for entire trip average - which would be 24 - 25 for U.S. gallon. Now up to 85,850 (kms.) on odo.

Zener_1

I know this thread is a few months old, but just wanted to add another available stock tire size option for the SE. I waited to comment until I had some time on these tires. So far, so good! Better than expected grip, decently low noise (in fact quietest tires I've had on my car in a very long time). Made in Thailand, OTANI KC2000 in 205/60ZR14 size. UTQG: 320AA. I bought them online from a (hint) performance+ tire dealer in Long Beach. Just under $60/tire shipped via FedEx Ground. Date code on my tires show manufacturing date of week 51 of 2018.

One other comment, better than expected grip on wet pavement... important factor for these cars which tend to turn tail under heavy braking. The S compound Gatorbacks I had long ago might of been better, but those were memorably noisy, no, make that LOUD (what?) and had a 100 tread wear rating.