I have a 1997 Subaru Outback and I just replaced the original Michelin XW4
tires that had 110,000 miles on them.   I did not go with the same tires
because I  did not feel they handled well in the snow and ice.  After
getting the new tires, I came to realize that the XW4 tires were bad all
around and noisy.

I went looking and researching for a tire that would really deliver on it
all, such as dry and wet braking and handling, winter driving/traction and a
quiet ride.   Some leading recommendations were Michelin HydroEdge,  Toyo
Spectrum, Goodyear Triple Tread and BigO Euro Tour.   I came close to
getting the Michelin HydroEdge, but the reviews were just too mixed.    I
read the design and logic behind the Goodyear Triple Tread and talked to a
number of tire shops.   When I told different tires shops what I was looking
for, they kept recommending this tire.   Finally, I talked to a person at
one tire shop that got a chance to demo them and loved them.   I decided to
take the risk and be one of the first to give the tire a try.   I have put
1,000 miles on them and can sum them up in one word:  WOW!  What a
difference.    With my old tires, I had to turn up the stereo once I got on
the freeway.   I don't even touch the dial now.    You will not believe how
quiet these tires are.   I used to think the reason I felt every crack in a
road was the Outback's stiffer suspension.   The difference with these tires
is incredible.   I took a tight circle freeway offramp with a 20 mph speed
limit at 40 mph and the car took the turn better than going 20 mph with the
old tires.   Where I used to get a side lean in a corner, these tires hold
solid and make cornering effortless.   I was driving yesterday down the
freeway going from dry road to heavy spring showers and could feel no
difference - and the traction was solid.   I have not had a chance to try
them in the snow and ice yet, but their design and center strip logic seems
sound.

Here is a cool website about them...
http://www.goodyearassurance.com/

Good site for all a number of tire reviews...
http://www.tirerack.com/index.jsp

Hope this helps!

Have you checked www.tirerack.com and read the reviews? My Avids on my 98 OB
wore out quickly and were not particularly great handlers. My Kumho's are
lasting better then the Yokohama's on my 02 Impreza but are developing a
"tire pull" since about 30k. The OE Bridgestone's on my 04 OB are wearing
quickly but handle good. The Michelins that came OE on my 98 and 96 OB's
wore slowly, rode comfortably and handled nice. The replacement Michelins on
my 98 were Symmetry's and felt squirmy but I only had 15k on them when I got
rid of the car so I have no miles of wear guess.

I'm absolutely thrilled with the Kuhmo tires I recently got for my
vehicle.   They're great wet, and very very very smooth dry.    And
not very expensive either.   Do a groups.google.com search for my post
about a month ago onthe topic.

--
Todd H.
2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4
Chicago, Illinois USA