What brand of tires would you buy?

Question

Well I'm looking to get some new tires for my 2002 Camry with 16" non stock rims. I need to get them ASAP. What brand would you recommend for everyday commuting (and I'm not looking to spend a ridiculous amount.) I know different brands make all different tires but in general what's the best way to go? Is it worth paying that extra $30 per tire to move up to the big brands such as goodyear and michellin. Any advice would be appreciated. Also, are there any offbrands that are high quality? Maybe something made by one of the big brands but sold as another.

Also, any recommendations on where to get good deals. How about Costco or Sams Club and will they change the tires if they're non stock rims.

Answer 1

I worked as a tire specialist for many years. My company represented the largest assortment of brands in the United States during those years.

If you want the best tire, buy Michelin. They have the longest lasting rubber compounds on the road today. The advantages of buying Michelins are that they have the best bead walls, this means they hold their shape better than any other tire, which contributes greatly to their ware rates and fuel consumption. They will save you money in fuel costs over their lifetime. They offer the smoothest ride and one of the quietest, bar none.

If you don't necessarily want to spend the money up front, which will save you money in the long run, I would suggest a Cooper Tire. They are also long waring and good on gas.

When you go shopping or to purchase, decode the tire.

On the sidewall you will see several ratings. Unless you live in the southwestern US, where you don't have snow, purchase a M+S, mud and snow rated tire. They clean themselves better than non M+S tires.

Look for the Traction and Temperature. Choose at least an "A" Traction "B" Temperature tire. You won't need "A" temperature tires unless you are living in the southwest or the Florida, where the temperatures can actually cause tire compounds to melt.

Next you want to look at the figure written before the Traction and Temperature grades. This is where the manufacturer is making claims as to the overall life expectancies of the rubber compound.

IF the number is:
200 consider it a 40,000 mile tire
300 consider it a 60,000 mile tire
350 consider it a 70,000 mile tire
400 consider it an 80,000 mile tire
450 consider it a 90,000 mile tire.

Do you see the pattern? Take the number 200, double it, 400, add two zeros to the end, 40,000.

THESE numbers are a guide. If you take care of them, no hotrodding, keep them aligned and properly inflated, you should be able to get these miles out of them.

WHAT you will not get is a warranty that goes as far as the tires are rated. The difference between the decoded numbers and the warranties offered is a buffer for the tire dealers, a safety factor that will keep you from collecting on mileage adjustments if the tires don't reach their warrantied mileages. As you shop around you will find that these numbers and the warranties offered are wide ranging to say the least.

What I would be very wary of is a tire marked with a high number like 400 (80,000 miles) that is only warrantied for 50,000 to 60,000 miles. When there is a large difference, I tend to suspect that the manufacturer isn't telling the truth or isn't comfortable enough with the quality of their tires.

WHAT EVER YOU DO, READ THE TIRE WARRANTY

There are a lot of BAD COMPANIES to buy from and you can find out how they will screw you when you read their warranties.

I can tell you this, GoodYear has a tendancy to fudge thier ratings. NO WAY would I ever put a set of FIRESTONE tires on any vehicle my family or I own. NO WAY. NO WAY. NO WAY.

The other thing to keep in mind and the reason that Michelin is the best, is that they know how to properly join their sidewalls to the top tread. This is the same reason I will never own FIRESTONE tires. In all of the years I worked in the tire business, I never knew a company that produced worse or more dangerous tires.

You might want to look up this website and price tires:

www.tirerack.com

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

The size you need is a P215/60R16 94H if your running 16-inch wheels. Lots of good choices out there and I can say with absolute certainty that while there are no bad tires there is a huge difference between major name brand tires and budget no-name types in terms of how they ride and perform since I have driven almost every tire on the market.

The Michelin Primacy MXV4 would certainly be the cream of the crop in that size with the Continental Premier Contact being a less expensive alternative. If your interested in sharp handling then the Bridgestone Potenza G009 is the pick.

Service Manager working in the tire industry

Answer 3

So far, the best tire for the money seems to be the Toyo brand. Innovative in structure and design, these tires are really good. Low profile to normal, I'm impressed with these tread patterns and handling characteristics. Michelin always had issues with wear and such on my truck. On my Crossfire, I have Continentals that are all season zr rated tires, they are incredible. That's on a performance oriented sports car, a Camry isn't quite as sophisticated but they might be a good choice, in the R rated tire. Not terribly expensive but up there.
Hopefully, I have given you some good choices, good luck in your search, Rick

Answer 4

I just replaced the tires on on or 04 Camry. I purchaced Yokohama TRZ 215-60 16's from tirerack.com.
This brand and type worked well on my winter beater 98 Mercury Sable. Plenty of snow traction for an all weather tire.

Answer 5

If you have an "Americas tire" around where you live they have always been good for me, they will give you the best advice on which tire you should buy. If you don't costco always seems to have great prices on really good tires which I have gotten a lot of miles out of. The rims you have should not affect anything except the tire might be a tiny bit more expensive.

Good luck!

Answer 6

I put MultiMile tires on my Honda last December. They are only available thru independent service shops and tire dealers. As far as I was concerned I got the best tires for the money. Seven months later the MultiMiles have proven themselves under all kinds of conditions. I really like them.
On previous cars I had replaced the brand names that came on the cars with the same tire. I don't think I'll be doing that any longer.

Answer 7

Michelin is what I put on all my cars. As a motorcycle rider I have learned to value quality rubber. Some people think that, in a car, with four tires on the ground, it is not as important. Put Michelin on your car and if you know anything about driving, you will feel the difference.

I just put $900 worth of Michelin on my truck. The Good Year equivalent would have saved me $50 only...

Although it's been a while since we've been near enough to a Costco to shop there, they used to have amazing prices on tires. A friend of ours who manages a tire shop sent us there the first time because, even with his discount, he couldn't get anywhere near their prices. Even if you had to pay for the membership first it was worth going to Costco.

The size of your rims makes no difference.

Answer 8

I have always had great mileage and luck with Goodyear Generals

Answer 9

Whatever is on sale. Doubt if you will be able to tell any difference.

Answer 10

Whatever is on sale at Walmart. They're all pretty much the same.