Replacing Tires

[geologyrox]

I realize that Goodyear tires are considered good tires, but I'm wierd about driving in the rain (did NOT enjoy my recent trip in a Florida thunderstorm - first rain I've driven in since I bought the car) and I would like to upgrade my tires. I bought my car at a dealership where I get replacement tires free for life if I always have the servicing done there - which I would anyway. They are even willing to allow me to put whatever the heck tires on it I want, and they'll get me replacements of those when it comes time, as long as the warranty is as good as on the Integrities (50,000.) The plan was to just upgrade when it came time to replace the OEM set.
Except I'm going to be driving 6,000 miles this summer up to big sky country, and I want better tires. They don't have to be great tires (I know it's quite a lot in my head) but I just want something that ranks better than 25/28 on the chart at TireRack (here)

I'm considering the Firestone Affinity LH30 tires - #6 on the passenger tires survey; the Yokohama AVID TRZd - #1 on the Standard Touring, and the Pirelli P400 Touring tires -#7 on the Standard Touring. My car will (FSM willing) never see snow or ice. Has anyone gone the less expensive route? I don't want to spend $500 on tires, this trip is expensive enough =)

[cry4dawn]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(geologyrox @ Jun 2 2006, 11:21 AM) [snapback]264645[/snapback]</div>

I realize that Goodyear tires are considered good tires, but I'm wierd about driving in the rain (did NOT enjoy my recent trip in a Florida thunderstorm - first rain I've driven in since I bought the car) and I would like to upgrade my tires. I bought my car at a dealership where I get replacement tires free for life if I always have the servicing done there - which I would anyway. They are even willing to allow me to put whatever the heck tires on it I want, and they'll get me replacements of those when it comes time, as long as the warranty is as good as on the Integrities (50,000.) The plan was to just upgrade when it came time to replace the OEM set.
Except I'm going to be driving 6,000 miles this summer up to big sky country, and I want better tires. They don't have to be great tires (I know it's quite a lot in my head) but I just want something that ranks better than 25/28 on the chart at TireRack (here)

I'm considering the Firestone Affinity LH30 tires - #6 on the passenger tires survey; the Yokohama AVID TRZd - #1 on the Standard Touring, and the Pirelli P400 Touring tires -#7 on the Standard Touring. My car will (FSM willing) never see snow or ice. Has anyone gone the less expensive route? I don't want to spend $500 on tires, this trip is expensive enough =)
[/b]

i personally went with the nokian i3's when my factory goodyears got tread bubbles at ~20k miles. i am loving theese tires alot, they are much much quieter, seem to be a lot more sticker to the pavement wet or dry. will have to see how they do in the snow though. and as a bonus i did not loose any mpg even though they were brand spanking new.

EDIT: the total cost to have them mounted and balanced including the tires was $350 with tax.

[FBear]

There are lots of threads that touch directly on this topic. If I remember correctly the tow tires that were reccommended are the Goodyear Comfort Tread or the Michelin Hydroedge tires.

[geologyrox]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FBear @ Jun 2 2006, 01:26 PM) [snapback]264720[/snapback]</div>

There are lots of threads that touch directly on this topic. If I remember correctly the tow tires that were reccommended are the Goodyear Comfort Tread or the Michelin Hydroedge tires.
[/b]

Well, I'm sort of looking to avoid both of those - I want something comprably priced to the Integrities, so I don't have to pay extra out of pocket when replacing them. I was just hoping to be able to get a better tire for $60ish a tire.

[FBear]

Remember that it is your family that will be in that car. Won't you kick yourself if something were to happen because you bought cheap tires. The Goodyear Comfort Treads are not that much more money and are a much better tire.

[john1701a]

If your primary purpose is to save $200 today, then a tire like HydroEdge is not a good choice.

But if you want to get a better tire that will last longer, hence no extra money spent in the end, a tire like HydroEdge is the only way to go.

Remember, since those tires will deliver more miles, you don't have the extra expense of mounting new ones as often. You don't have to deal with the minor MPG hit new tires cause as often either.

[auricchio]

Since you will only have to pay the extra for the first set of tires, why not do it? After that, your dealer is going to give you replacements for them when they wear out, right?

[geologyrox]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rick Auricchio @ Jun 3 2006, 06:54 PM) [snapback]265292[/snapback]</div>

Since you will only have to pay the extra for the first set of tires, why not do it? After that, your dealer is going to give you replacements for them when they wear out, right?
[/b]

Really, I'm sort of out of time - I don't think I'll be upgrading the tires before this trip, I'll probably reconsider when these tires go. I have to pay for the difference each time, which would admittedly be rarer using higher milage tires. They are 'paying' $60 a tire, though, and would ordinarily put another set of Integrities on - I was just wondering if there was something better out there for the same price.

[kirbinster]

Michelin Hydroedge tires are GREAT!!! Sure they cost more, but in this world you pay for what you get. My car handles so much better with these and they are the best tires in the world in rain. Don't save a few bucks just to pay big bucks when you get in an accident because of bad tires.

[hyo silver]

Tires are the most important performance and safety item a car has. As a percentage of the car's cost, even great tires are a small price, yet make a big difference. Over the life of the car, better tires are actually less expensive - especially if someone else is paying for them!