RE: Brake pads
Different pads for different people. Assuming you want pads for a daily driver:
1. Organics for folks looking to save money and who drive normally.
2. Ceramic for folks looking to reduce noise and brake dust; they have the worst initial stopping grip, but they don't fade as much as organics.
3. Semi-metallic for those who want better performance at the cost of brake dust and some noise.
4. Kevlar (EBC Greenstuff) for those looking for the best overall performance in a daily driver. No noise, but brake dust is still there (despite their advertisement). Very good grip and fade resistance.
FYI, I've used all pads except for ceramic...mainly because I've never had a problem with noise, and I get the car washed often enough that brake dust can't accumulate. I am currently using Semi-metallic pads, but I really miss the Greenstuff pads and will probably switch back to those. They can be found now for around $80.