<dean>just brake less, bitch!</dean>
I have used ferodo 2500s and 3000s up front in my STi. The 2500s last a long time but are a bit average in feel. The 3000s are a little wooden the first time you use them in the morning, but after one or two applications are amazing. They don't last very long at all though
These are track only pads according to ferodo, but I love the feel so much I am using them on the street. At autoX, with the 2500s I had to really stand on the pedal to get the abs to kick in. With the 3000s I have to be gentle on the pedal or the abs will kick in at every corner. I love these pads! If only they lasted longer than 2 months
I definately wouldn't leave these pads in during winter!
I have had porterfield R4 pads, they felt about the same as the ferodo 3000s, except they took longer to warm up, but also lasted a lot longer. I definately wouldn't leave these pads in during winter!
EBC pads are probably the best bang for the buck. I used the reds on my WRX at a track event and they were great. I drove dean's WRX with the greens at AutoX 2 years ago and they bite really well.
Just buy the pads online, there are dozens of places that carry everything you need cheaper than summit. This is the last place I bought pads:
http://raceshopper.com/