Inexpensive Tires

[KAYLI'S DAD]

I dont want this thread to be arguing about cheap tires. My family is important. That is why I typed Inexpensive and not cheap.

It sounds like I will just get these michelins. I just thought tires for a van should be cheaper. Last time I bought tires was for a truck I had that was about $500.

 

[swilshire]

We paid over $800 for four tires and a rebate dropped it to just under. That was after much price comparison and the cheapest place in town for good tires. Sounds like you're getting a good deal.

Sheila

 

[The 4 "Quay"balleros]

Anyone have any suggestions on finding inexpensive tires? I havent had to buy any in a long time and we looked tonight at sams club and they are $475 with $70 off from michelin. I cant believe they are almost $500 for minivan tires. These are truck tires or anything.

Does Sam's Club install the tires?

 

[KAYLI'S DAD]

Does Sam's Club install the tires?

Yes, Sams club has an automotive dept that installs the tires as well.

 

[msmayor]

I dont want this thread to be arguing about cheap tires. My family is important. That is why I typed Inexpensive and not cheap.

It sounds like I will just get these michelins. I just thought tires for a van should be cheaper. Last time I bought tires was for a truck I had that was about $500.

But how big was the truck? Some truck tires are smaller than what you'd expect, and probably similarly sized to a van.

You might find a more inexpensive tire, but in the long run it would cost more because it won't wear like a Michelin.

Some less-expensive tires are not rated for the mileage that Michelins are...I just put three on my Pacifica today and they are rated for 65,000 miles. Could I find a less expensive tire? Probably...but rated for less than half the mileage, which means they'd need replacing much sooner.

 

[Chaoster]

I know Costco price includes free tire rotation for the life of the tires. There are some inexpensive tires but I find they don't last as long. Therefore not as inexpensive as it seems. Also some of the inexpensive brands are made in China.
I would never buy tires made in China.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

That is cheap! Especially for Michelin, they are one of the most expensive brands.

My friend buys all weather tires for her van and she paid almost $800. I paid I think $600 for mine, at sams and I did not get Michelin tires. Depending on the van, some of them do take small truck tires.

Also at sams you get free rotation, installation, small hole plugs etc. Check all the package you get with it.

ETA: check the tires after a day or so. We had a bad one and it bulged out the next day. Sam's replaced it for free. I don't know if they get cheaper name brand tires or it was just a coincidence. A bulging tire is very dangerous.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

That is cheap! Especially for Michelin, they are one of the most expensive brands.

My friend buys all weather tires for her van and she paid almost $800. I paid I think $600 for mine, at sams and I did not get Michelin tires. Depending on the van, some of them do take small truck tires.

Also at sams you get free rotation, installation, small hole plugs etc. Check all the package you get with it.

ETA: check the tires after a day or so. We had a bad one and it bulged out the next day. Sam's replaced it for free. I don't know if they get cheaper name brand tires or it was just a coincidence. A bulging tire is very dangerous.

That is one reason we will never buy tires at Sams again. DH had to have a couple of his tires replaced because of a bulge and one was replaced more than once. They don't get the top quality tires as say Sears or Goodyear stores.

They were also a hassle to get the rotation done, because they would reather do installations since you have already paid for that service, or at least that is the way they were at our Sams. DH just does the rotations himself.

Suzanne

 

[pilesoflaundry]

That is one reason we will never buy tires at Sams again. DH had to have a couple of his tires replaced because of a bulge and one was replaced more than once. They don't get the top quality tires as say Sears or Goodyear stores.

They were also a hassle to get the rotation done, because they would reather do installations since you have already paid for that service, or at least that is the way they were at our Sams. DH just does the rotations himself.

Suzanne

Suzanne, thank you for sharing that with me. I will keep an eye on the other tires. It's been on my mind if it was a coincidence or if they get the lesser quality tires. Like walmart and brand name tvs, they are still not the same as say a sony from best buy.

This was the first time we bought tires from Sam's and I wasn't sure if we would do it again. I think next time we need them I will check other place.

 

[seven dwarfs]

All brands of tires can have issues. We just replaced Michelin tires on our RV because with only 8000 miles we had two blow out. Yes, two blow within 7 days of each other. They look brand new, no bulge and we check air pressure every time we get gas. When the first one blew we had the service guy check the other tires since we were so worried. He said everything looked good to him. One tire I thought just a freak thing, two tires, that's not a freak thing. Both service guys said they don't recommend them. (although I take this with a grain of salt since you will recommend what you sell) The customer service reps from Michelin were awful and I will never buy their product again.

I agree you should do some research and sometimes you get what you pay for. But sometimes you can buy high quality and still have issues.

 

[kydisneyfans]

I just had 2 60K mile tires installed with road hazard, disposal, and an oil change done at Sears for $151 out the door. They have been running good specials lately. I used to buy tires at Walmart but the same tires and oil change would have been upwards of $200.

 

[angwill]

If you have a farm and fleet or a place that does buy 4 get one free you might get the price down a bit. I just got 4 Michelin tires that were regular $110 each and it was buy three get one free so $82.50 each and then there was the cost installation and the lifetime rotation that they would not take off. I told them to take off the road hazard and recycled my tires myself. Then after I sent in the $70 rebate to Michelin my tires were under $400.00 but that was for a sedan too. HTH

 

[KAYLI'S DAD]

I went to sears today and they were $750 for goodyear and $770 for another brand. I also went to Discount Tire and they wanted $650 for yokahama and he asked me about the price so I told him about the michelins and he thought I was lying to him so he called sams and confirmed it and then said he could price match it after a $40 mail in rebate. I think I will just do the michelins.

 

[Tinkh]

We just had new tires put on and it cost us $730. We were at Disney and my husband used OnStar who told him where to take the car. We had it serviced before we left and new front brake pads put on. Well, driving to Disney I was taking my turn and I hydroplaned. Checked the tread and they were getting low. I think that you are getting a GREAT deal.

 

[bankr63]

If your van is older, and you don't expect it to outlast a new set of tires, there are a few places to buy good used tires.

Our city has a used tire dealer that resells serviceable used tires in sets. HOWEVER, I have heard that he may be getting some from wreck cars that are written off - there may be hidden damage, so cavear emptor.

I flip cars every few years and almost always have a set to sell at the end; the car goes back with either summer or winters, and the remaining set I sell. These I usually put up on Craig's list. Best part is, if the car is a complete match then they are pre-mounted on rims and balanced too! I see lots of tire/rim combos on there for peanuts. If you talk to the seller, you should get a pretty good feeling for how the tires have been treated and why they are selling. I actually have a set for GM Minivan up right now (6 months use only), but Illinois is a long way from Ontario!

M Ross

 

[scrapbookworm]

Long gone are the days of a set of tires being about $200. I remember last year my stepbrother needed a set of tires, and my mom was upset that they cost about $300. And they were super cheap tires.

We always buy name brands for our vehicles. I hate to have to pay that much too, but unfortunately that's just the way that it is. I'd rather pay more upfront and they last much longer than buying a new set every 20,000 miles, and ending up spending more money in the long run than if I had bought that 60,000 mile set.

 

[WishIwerethere]

I haven't read the entire thread, so I don't know if anyone has suggested this. However, before I bought tires about 1-1/2 months ago, I checked Consumer Reports. In my particular case, I found that one of the cheaper brands -- General Tire -- was rated the best overall value for my Explorer. (I checked other sources as well, including my regular mechanic, who said Michelins are overrated -- my original Michelins lasted only 35,000 miles, so based on my own experience, I had to agree.) Anyway, you might check Consumer Reports and then price compare for the particular model of tire in which you are interested.

 

[tomthebarncat]

I have Michelin tires for my winter tires and Pirelli for summer tires. I live in Germany and you are by law regarded to change tires for the seasons. I also drive an expensive Mercedes Benz, that the rims alone cost more than the most expensive tires do!!I am a firm believer in you get what you pay for!! buy cheap crap and you get to keep buying it over and over again. My dad always said " If you buy good quality once you should not have to buy it again anytime soon". I buy what Mercedes tells me, as I trust Torpedo Garage, my Mercedes dealer. I would check consumer report and go by what they say, since they are a reputable source. I would not be shopping at Wal- mart or any of those crappy stores for my tires, I would go to a tire shop and try and cut a deal on good quality tires that will last and ensure your families safety