I bought my Paradas before the Spec two came out (A month before....:ermm

Anyway, the original Paradas were such a big difference from the original Michilins (misspelled) that it was a night and day comparision... supposedly the Spec 2s are even better to the point where Yokohama does not recommend mixing original and Spec 2 on the same axle.. and if you have to mix them on the car.. stick them in the rear.
All I can say.. I can now take cloverleafs fast enough to make my engine smoke for a few seconds.