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- but also keep in mind there is a difference between the crap Chinese tries out there and a good 2nd tier brand like Continental or General....no need to run to Goodyear or Bridgestone.....
Bah, Goodyear and Bridgestone are 2nd tier compared to Continental.
Tire buying for dummies? Buy the highest rated tires at tirerack that are in your budget. Doesn't need to actually be purchased from them as locals can sometimes match or beat their prices. But absolutely start your research there.
Just go to Costco. Smaller selection, so you won't be overwhelmed, and they'll install them for you with a lifetime hazard warranty. They will have what you need and they'll size it right.
Just go to Costco. Smaller selection, so you won't be overwhelmed, and they'll install them for you with a lifetime hazard warranty. They will have what you need and they'll size it right.
I used to race cars, so I used to care a lot about my tires.
Now, I'm a boring grown-up and use my car for commuting. When buying tires for my commuter car, I just look for the highest treadwear rating for the lowest price. I also check tire rack reviews just to make sure they aren't overly noisy (I like a quite ride now), but otherwise all I really care about is treadwear because I don't want to be buying tires again any time soon.
Wow, thank you all so much!!! Excellent advice, I took a lot of notes. I'm sure this thread will help some other clueless people like me in the future.
Some of you gave me specific ratings to go by, that were particularly helpful Now I feel less overwhelmed!
So my plan is to go back to Tirerack (and maybe some other sites mentioned) and do some research, pick up a couple that I like then head over to local Discount Tire (the local shop has really good reviews; sorry no Costco for me) for price match
i like discount tire also. as for brands to look at, two i tend to prefer these days is falken and khumo. have run both and found them to be quite good, and in my area they are reasonably priced as well at $75 to 85 per tire.
In my area most local tire dealers will rotate for free also, in fact at pretty well any interval. I've had tire/car combos that didn't get to 7,500 miles . I often rotate now at 3000 to 5000 miles depending on car, tire, usage.
Rotation is another item to look into when selecting a vendor for tire purchase. In fact it's probably the biggest area where Tire Rack and its online competitors don't match up with buying local...if you don't rotate your own. Rotation is usually good and often extends tire usable life.
Shops like it too because they get to see the car/owner regularly and can do other work/checkups so more revenue. There is nothing wrong with this, in fact for most folks it's good, especially if the shop is competent at the other work. Locals often advertise specials like this (oik change, inspections, etc.) on their web sites and paper ads.
BTW, I agree with a couple brand comments above: Continentals are not 2nd tier, Generals are often good tires and good value...but the buyer should shop by brand/model, not just brand.
One more reason I am glad to have a straight up repair place I have dealt with for decades. Tires would be one less thing I'd have to research till I had a headache.
The net is a blessing and a curse sometimes with the sheer amount of info. I swear there is almost nothing produced that you can't find reasons to talk yourself out of if you read enough. All I know is I have Hankooks that were stock on my E250 work van. Almost 50K and still have almost 1/2 tread. Also the second van from Ford where the tires 1/2 life was double that of the trans.
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Thank you!!
. I often rotate now at 3000 to 5000 miles depending on car, tire, usage.
