SaVant, thanks for posting the website with Azenis stats. Here's a comparison between the 712 and Azenis:

Tire.....Size...Dia...RPM..Trd Dpth.SectWid.Load
Azenis 215/45-16.23.5"..883..8/32..8.5"..1168bs
Kuhmo..215/40-16.22.7"..888.10/32..8.6"..1047lbs
Kuhmo..205/55-16.24.9"..829.10/32........13--lbs

So the Azenis won't throw off the speedo/odometer as much as the 40 series Kuhmo, but they don't lower the car nearly as much either or change gearing. The load rating is about the same and still far lower than stock sizes. I won't be attempting any long trips with the car loaded, that's for sure.

The Azenis have a 200 wear rating vs. the Kuhmo 280 so the Azenis are probably stickier despite the A (not AA) traction rating. The Ecsta 712 Kuhmo are much cheaper at $79 each!!

I have only 3 autocrosses and 5,000 miles on my old 205/55-16 Kuhmos, but figured rather than pay to dismount them and swap sides remounted with the wear on the inside, (which I will do later) I would go ahead and get a larger size for Spring Zing which I will probably attend now that wife has conceded to work for me. I will depart early in dark AM Saturday morning and arrive in Kalamazoo late Saturday so no banquet for me.

Fastest Contour at SZ 2002 Auto-X. 10th in PAX out of 125. CEO of FOGEY(Fast Old Guys Emasculating Young-uns), Inc. Terry Haines, Chairman, Senior V.P.s: (alphabetical)JavaContour, Jet Mech, MFE, SeicoRacing, SVTSTS, Vern Kilburn. If your not a member, yet, wait a few years. I'm not just the CEO, but I'm a member, too. Working with the rank and file to get the job done right!

Historical:
63 TVR (1K in 74), 75 TR-7 (paid cash new), 79 RX-7 (zoom,zoom), 81 RX-7GSL (autobahn-driven),82 Mustang GT (autobahn-driven), 85 Mustang GT (SE Division F Stock Solo II Champ), 86 MR-2 (3rd SE Division D Stock), 88 Civic DX (had 1st born and still owned MR2) 92 Sentra SE-R (all go and no show), 98 EO SVT Contour (FTD SZ 2002). 02 Altima 3.5SE 5 spd!!!