Is it worth it to buy more expensive tires?

[Ali]

I need tires this weekend and I am searching for the best price but I always seem to go cheap and have to buy tires again too quickly. So, is it worth it to buy a tire rated at 75000 miles that costs twice as much as a 40000 mile tire?

Are big brand names better?

I don't seem to have a lot of options in my tire size in stores so I want to make the best choice and prices range from $500 to 1000 for 4 tires installed, crazy!

 

[DizMe]

I can't really give you a good answer, but what I have learned is that the tires that give you the cushiest ride are more expensive AND wear out faster. So, I think it depends on the kind of tire, too. I always bought the tires that gave a rougher ride but lasted twice as long because that cushy tread doesn't hold up so well. Since I've been married my dh handles this so I'm not sure what he looks for but I can tell you it isn't the priciest tires! I'm thinking some kind of happy medium?

 

[havaneselover]

I'd say twice as expensive to last twice as long--maybe. But I wouldn't expect tires that last twice as long to be twice as expensive.

My brother is in tires and has been for more than 25 years so every time I need tires I call him to ask what to buy (he doesn't live by me so I can't get them from him). I buy my tires from Tire Rack (go through ebates) and have them installed locally. He asked how long I plan to keep my van and I said until it dies (hopefully another 150k miles) so he told me to get tires which would go 85K miles. I bought 4 Yokahoma's. Make sure you rotate every other oil change and balance every fourth oil change.

 

[tvguy]

I'd just like to wear tires out. I think they reformulated the rubber in them, so they are not as resistant to sun damage. The tire industry now rates tire life as xxx number of miles or 6 years. The sidewalls crack, and you have to replace them long before that high mileage figure they are rated at in normal driving. The tires on my Suburban are rated for 60,000 miles, but I only put about 3 or 4 thousand miles a year on it, so they are badly cracked and need to be replaced at about 20,000 miles and 6 years. I have had both Firestone and Michelin tires on it, no difference. I prefer Michelin. My daughter's car, the Michelins have 40,000 miles on them, and the tire guy says the tread is probably good for another 40-50,000, but they should be replaced within the next year or 2 because they are 6 years old and are starting to rot.

My mom drove very little, and she got 18 years and 40,000 miles from her Michelin tires before they rotted out, but those tires were made with the old rubber formulation that resisted the sun.

I am certainly considering less expensive tires just because I never wear tires out.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

In my experience, Cooper tires tend to have exceptional tread life. We've used several models on cars, trucks, and Crossovers and they always seem to outlast the direct competition (according to friends who run THOSE tires). They do not provide the same grip as a Yokohama (most tires don't), nor the quiet of a BFG or Michelin. But, they do last.

Obviously, I can't speak to every model they make, just those I've used, so consult your tire expert as well.

 

[Stubbzilla]

I think it guarantees that you'll total the car within six months.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I just bought a set of Yokohamas for my van. That is what the guy at the tire place recommended. I hope to drive my van about 75,000 more miles and would love to not replace these tires again.

 

[arminnie]

Since I no longer live in Texas my driving has been greatly reduced. Most everything is less than 3 miles from my home whether I am in Arkansas or New Orleans. My issue now is that tires "rot" from old age long before I hit the mileage mark.

 

[Albort]

higher mileage tires could be helpful. I once had a unrepairable tire, i put around 10,000 miles on those tires. They used the 70,000mile warranty to help subsidize my tire cost, i walked out paying $50 for it, i bought it for $100. H range is probably the most common tires, you could go one speed reading below for a better lasting tires, but they lower it gets, the harder the tire gets.

Costco has exceptional tires like what a previous poster said, BUT, costco is often way expensive. I keep my eye out on DiscountTires. They have tires for $100 off+tire company rebates. If you really want good tires, top tier brands do last... Michelin esp. Good maintenance on the tires will also help you wear them better and longer, i.e. keep them inflated at the right psi, rotate them often, make sure they are aligned...

 

[tvguy]

In my experience, Cooper tires tend to have exceptional tread life. We've used several models on cars, trucks, and Crossovers and they always seem to outlast the direct competition (according to friends who run THOSE tires). They do not provide the same grip as a Yokohama (most tires don't), nor the quiet of a BFG or Michelin. But, they do last.

Obviously, I can't speak to every model they make, just those I've used, so consult your tire expert as well.

We have had horrible luck with Cooper tires at work. The tread never stays on long enough to wear out. Usually between 20 to 30,000 miles. Literally peels off. These are all Cooper Discoverer 16 inch truck tires, used on E350 Vans. Our company found out why they were so much cheaper than any other brand.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We have had horrible luck with Cooper tires at work. The tread never stays on long enough to wear out. Usually between 20 to 30,000 miles. Literally peels off. These are all Cooper Discoverer 16 inch truck tires, used on E350 Vans. Our company found out why they were so much cheaper than any other brand.

There's about a 1/2 dozen different "Discoverer" models. I've always gotten 60,000 out of the LT's and 50,000 out of the STT's (the mud version). But on lighter trucks (6,000lbs or less). The Zeons on my 1-ton look like they're headed for 50,000+. 55,000-60,000 for CS4/CS5 on a full-size crossover, and 110,000 on a set of Lifeliners on a Cavalier. It's a very popular brand here & my friends & family all have similar experiences.

Oh, and they're not generally the cheapest tire available. Middle of the road most of the time.

 

[adudeinblue]

I think tires are important because even with breaks, the tires are the true traction on the road and control. And if you think about it, regardless of big your car is, there's only so much of your car touching the road.

It depends on your situation as well. How much you drive and the condition of your area. Extreme heats and snow/sand would be a factor you should consider. Like I go to Tahoe in the winter a lot and I use Mud and Snow tires, while my brother who has a sports convertible, he would stay with summer tires because he has no interest in driving it in the snow.

 

[tvguy]

There's about a 1/2 dozen different "Discoverer" models. I've always gotten 60,000 out of the LT's and 50,000 out of the STT's (the mud version). But on lighter trucks (6,000lbs or less). The Zeons on my 1-ton look like they're headed for 50,000+. 55,000-60,000 for CS4/CS5 on a full-size crossover, and 110,000 on a set of Lifeliners on a Cavalier. It's a very popular brand here & my friends & family all have similar experiences.

Oh, and they're not generally the cheapest tire available. Middle of the road most of the time.

I'm talking about the Cooper HTP LT245 /75 R16 $159 a tire. Next cheapest tire is a BF Goodrich for $170. Coopers are the cheapest tire of this load range in this size, and there certainly be cheaper brands than Cooper in different sizes. They are what most of the used car dealers put on because they are generally among the lowest cost tires you can get. We have switched to a Michelin model with steel reinforced sidewalls at $285 each.

 

[lauracitawita]

I think it guarantees that you'll total the car within six months.

Hahaha. This is exactly what happened to me.

 

[xlxo]

I need tires this weekend and I am searching for the best price but I always seem to go cheap and have to buy tires again too quickly. So, is it worth it to buy a tire rated at 75000 miles that costs twice as much as a 40000 mile tire?

Are big brand names better?

I don't seem to have a lot of options in my tire size in stores so I want to make the best choice and prices range from $500 to 1000 for 4 tires installed, crazy!

Thoughts....

• can you clarify the make and model of your vehicle?
• are you looking at all-seasons, winter, all-weather, or performance tires? Would you pay a little more for a tire that saves you money from an collision?
• my vehicle specifies I should be using V-rated tires, but I never drive at those speeds. I found savings by having H-rated tires... I still don't drive H speeds.
  https://www.kaltire.com/tire-speed-rating/
• with regards to mileage... how many miles do you drive in a year? Will you exceed those mile ratings in 6 years to avoid "tire aging". My economy car gets driven the most and has a higher mileage tire. My gas guzzling sports car gets taken out on the weekend and gets a lower mileage tire

 

[Mr. lncredible]

I'd just like to wear tires out. I think they reformulated the rubber in them, so they are not as resistant to sun damage. The tire industry now rates tire life as xxx number of miles or 6 years. The sidewalls crack, and you have to replace them long before that high mileage figure they are rated at in normal driving. The tires on my Suburban are rated for 60,000 miles, but I only put about 3 or 4 thousand miles a year on it, so they are badly cracked and need to be replaced at about 20,000 miles and 6 years. I have had both Firestone and Michelin tires on it, no difference. I prefer Michelin. My daughter's car, the Michelins have 40,000 miles on them, and the tire guy says the tread is probably good for another 40-50,000, but they should be replaced within the next year or 2 because they are 6 years old and are starting to rot.

My mom drove very little, and she got 18 years and 40,000 miles from her Michelin tires before they rotted out, but those tires were made with the old rubber formulation that resisted the sun.

I am certainly considering less expensive tires just because I never wear tires out.

They do make tire conditioners and sprays that help with this. Hopefully you wash your car occasionally and maybe even wax the body. Take the extra time to care for your tires as well and they'll last a lot longer.

 

[willowsnn3]

I've been going to the same repair shop for almost 15 years. Now when I buy tires (and I do wear them out before I get new ones), the shop manager asks me if I want the best tire or the best price so I just tell him somewhere in the middle, lol.

 

[tvguy]

They do make tire conditioners and sprays that help with this. Hopefully you wash your car occasionally and maybe even wax the body. Take the extra time to care for your tires as well and they'll last a lot longer.

Yup, the Michelin dealer says many of the sprays actually make the problem worse.
Used to wash my cars weekly, and wax every 6 months, can't do that anymore (the past 4 years) with the drought. When I do wash the car, I do it on the lawn. None of my cars has ever been in a commercial car wash. They started recycling their water at car washes here during another drought in the 1970's....and the owners manual for my 1974 Ford said never take your car to a car wash that recycles water, it also puts the nasty chemicals from the cars ahead of you on the paint of your car.

 

[Mr. lncredible]

Yup, the Michelin dealer says many of the sprays actually make the problem worse.
Used to wash my cars weekly, and wax every 6 months, can't do that anymore (the past 4 years) with the drought. When I do wash the car, I do it on the lawn. None of my cars has ever been in a commercial car wash. They started recycling their water at car washes here during another drought in the 1970's....and the owners manual for my 1974 Ford said never take your car to a car wash that recycles water, it also puts the nasty chemicals from the cars ahead of you on the paint of your car.

Been using armor all or similar on my tires every few weeks for going on 20 years and I've never had sidewalls crack or show signs of wear other than the tread as expected. So you do the math. It sounds like you're in California from your water woes, and I'm in northwest Ohio where there isn't much of an issue with arid conditions. I can only assume the dryer climate has a large effect on the tires.

 

[tvguy]

Been using armor all or similar on my tires every few weeks for going on 20 years and I've never had sidewalls crack or show signs of wear other than the tread as expected. So you do the math. It sounds like you're in California from your water woes, and I'm in northwest Ohio where there isn't much of an issue with arid conditions. I can only assume the dryer climate has a large effect on the tires.

The sun does them in. The old rubber formulations were more resistant to UV damage.