Top quality, durable tires for 2001 Toyota Camry?

[LostSouthernStar]

Hello all,

I purchased my 2001 Camry 2 years ago, it came equipped with Michelin Destiny tires(which have been great). I have always loved Michelin tires but they can be pricey...so here are a few questions I have that I hope can be answered.


Is there any alternate brands on the market that are just as reliable as Michelin but at a much lower price?


I'm considering low rolling resistance tires for improved fuel economy, but I'm not sure if they have good handling performance in wet and icy conditions??? Which brands are best quality for these types of tires? I know Michelin and Goodyear make LRR's. (e.g. Michelin Energy Saver)


I have always heard of great experiences and service from Discount tires. Are they a good place to purchase tires at a decent price?

Are Yokohamas and Kumhos quality brand tires like Michelin? Are they cheaper?



Basically, should I purchase all-season tires or would it be fine to purchase low rolling resistance tires?



I don't mind spending money on tires but nothing outrageous as I am on a budget. I will NEVER purchase Firestone, Bridgestone, Pirelli or Continental as I have heard and experienced nothing but trouble.


Thanks to everyone for your help! Any other advice or suggestions is most welcome.

[Tom 2000]

Look here for tire survey results.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/index.jsp

I bought tires online from Discount Tires Direct, Tirerack. I've also bought cars locally from Discount Tires, Les Schwab (Pacific Northwest Tire Store), etc..

What I can tell you is that even from the same brand, you can end up with pretty crappy tires or really nice tires. There's always a tradeoff.

Generally speaking, I've had pretty good luck with Michelin, Toyo and BFGoodrich and Yokohama.

[LostSouthernStar]

Thank you Tom! I will certainly look into it

Originally Posted by Tom 2000

Look here for tire survey results.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/index.jsp

I bought tires online from Discount Tires Direct, Tirerack. I've also bought cars locally from Discount Tires, Les Schwab (Pacific Northwest Tire Store), etc..

What I can tell you is that even from the same brand, you can end up with pretty crappy tires or really nice tires. There's always a tradeoff.

Generally speaking, I've had pretty good luck with Michelin, Toyo and BFGoodrich and Yokohama.

[KoG506]

My top 2 choices

1: Michelin
2: Goodyear

Spend a lil more/save up for Michelin Primacy MXV4. I have '00 avalon and get great mileage from tires and should last 80K miles if taken good care of. if not, go for Goodyear.

[capnblinski]

I like the general altimax hp at only $75.00 per tire

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=General&tireModel=Altimax+HP

[ThurzNite]

I was thinking of the Destiny's for my next set. 740 wear rating, 80,000 miles... You could go through 2 sets of cheaper tires that end up costing more. Why not stick with these since you've had them already?

For instance, consumer reports loved the Falken Ziex ZE-512 (I've used these in several cars). 420 wear rating, 40,000 miles, $86 each

Michelin Destiny, $127 each, 740 wear, 80k miles
Falken Ziex ZE-512, $86 each, 420 wear, 40k miles

Say you get the cheaper Falkens, you'll go through 2 sets of tires, which end up costing more as-is, plus all the other fees like mount/balance/stems/disposal x2.

And just to get u on your edge: There's a costco coupon for $75 off bridgestone tires.

Dr J

[carsrus]

Go to costco or sams club. Costco always has/had 100$ off a set of 4 bridgestones, they keep a rotation switching up which brands on sale. Theres always at least one on sale.

I got a set of 4 michelins put on my camry about 50k ago for 295 out the door w/ lifetime rotations and balancing. I have 50k on them and theyll make it at least another 15-20k. Cant beat that price. There is no cheaper place to get tires put on and the service is great. 7 or 8 rotations so far and not one missing lug or broken stud.

Tread wear rating isnt too important. If you've got a heavy foot you'll eat up tires. Period.

[LostSouthernStar]

Thanks guys! Should I get all-season passenger, touring or low rolling resistance tires?

[JohnGD]

Michelin now lists only the Primacy MXV4 and Pilot Exalto A/S for the Camry I4/V6. The Primacy is a good all-around all-season tire that should last 60K miles. The Pilot Exalto is a sports handling tire that allows you to feel every curve. But should last about 45K miles and may cost slight MPG compared to Primacy.

And if you need snow tires there is the Michelin X-Ice Xi2.

Ditto the price and service of Costco. They always hand-torque the lug nuts and from what I could see a final torque check by a supervisor. Online tires typically add about $30 each for shipping and road hazard. So there is not that much advantage for buying online. Besides IMO the local installer's road hazard warranty isn't as good as Costco's.

BF Goodrich is the budget line of Michelin. These are more like older technology at a lower price.

Continental and Yokohama would be the other brands I'd try if Michelin isn't available and I had to put some tires on. I personally wouldn't touch Bridgestones with a 20' pole. I think GoodYear tires are noisy, or maybe just the ones I drove.

[LostSouthernStar]

So Michelin Hydro Edge or Michelin Energy Saver cannot be installed on my Camry?

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Michelin now lists only the Primacy MXV4 and Pilot Exalto A/S for the Camry I4/V6. The Primacy is a good all-around all-season tire that should last 60K miles. The Pilot Exalto is a sports handling tire that allows you to feel every curve. But should last about 45K miles and may cost slight MPG compared to Primacy.

And if you need snow tires there is the Michelin X-Ice Xi2.

Ditto the price and service of Costco. They always hand-torque the lug nuts and from what I could see a final torque check by a supervisor. Online tires typically add about $30 each for shipping and road hazard. So there is not that much advantage for buying online. Besides IMO the local installer's road hazard warranty isn't as good as Costco's.

BF Goodrich is the budget line of Michelin. These are more like older technology at a lower price.

Continental and Yokohama would be the other brands I'd try if Michelin isn't available and I had to put some tires on. I personally wouldn't touch Bridgestones with a 20' pole. I think GoodYear tires are noisy, or maybe just the ones I drove.

[pmesfun]

I would get Michelin Primacys if you can(or Destiny, Harmony). Yokohoma is a good tire, we recently put the YK520 model on the 07 and they are really quiet, and the AVID TRZ model is on the Quest, fairly quiet as well. Sumitomo is also quiet, my friend has those on his ES300. Don't get Dunlop Signature, noisy tires and horrible tread life. Goodyear is a little less noisier than the Dunlops.

[JohnGD]

You can install the proper size tire of the correct speed rating. But Michelin doesn't make those you mentioned any longer but the new Primacy and Pilot. See:
http://www.michelinman.com/

Hydro Edge is still sitting around on some shelves but I think it's been discontinued by Michelin. Hydro Edge and Harmony are still listed on Tirerack, but no Energy Saver or Energy MXV series.

I don't know if Michelin still makes HydroEdge, but Michelin's website doesn't list it any longer for the Camry tire size. Just make sure at the end of the tire's life it's not over 6 years old.

Originally Posted by LostSouthernStar

So Michelin Hydro Edge or Michelin Energy Saver cannot be installed on my Camry?

[ThurzNite]

Originally Posted by LostSouthernStar

Thanks guys! Should I get all-season passenger, touring or low rolling resistance tires?

Can't really answer that, it depends on what you're looking for.

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Ditto the price and service of Costco. They always hand-torque the lug nuts and from what I could see a final torque check by a supervisor. Online tires typically add about $30 each for shipping and road hazard. So there is not that much advantage for buying online. Besides IMO the local installer's road hazard warranty isn't as good as Costco's.

I stopped using Costco because here in Los Angeles, the local Costcos have horrendous waiting times. Supposedly drop off the car, go shopping, and after shopping car is done. Nope! It's just too busy here in LA. 2nd thing is, no free rotate/balance/inflation checks. They do tire installations, and the manager I talked to said they do not check associated equipment like suspension. Kinda makes me think they don't care about your alignment so you'll scrub and wear out your tires faster, so they can make another sale.

Originally Posted by pmesfun

Sumitomo is also quiet, my friend has those on his ES300. Don't get Dunlop Signature, noisy tires and horrible tread life. Goodyear is a little less noisier than the Dunlops.

I've had Sumitomos and Dunlops. Sumitomo a/s actually did ok in the snow. I was impressed. Surprising grip too, for the money. Dunlops had terrible grip when cornering.

To the OP: If you're considering low resistance tires, have you considered skinnier tires? And A/S vs summer vs winter tires, just depends on how you plan on using your tires.

Dr J

[LostSouthernStar]

Thanks guys!



I live in South Texas near San Antonio, it's hot 7 months out of the year here...so I need tires that can handle extreme heat waves, droughts at times, occasional ice and of course severe rain storms....because when it rains, it POURS here where I live.




Thanks again!

[bolink654]

When I met my wife who was driving the 98 camry, it had 4 different tires on it, all listed as the same size, but different makes and models. Not too long after, they started getting to worn out. We did not have the funds at the time, to buy 4 tires. Instead we got 2 Goodyear Viva 2's at Wal-mart and about 6 months later got 2 Dunlops (model unknown) at Costco.

I rotated them a couple times and noticed something interesting. With the Dunlops on front, the steering was VERY precise, almost twitchy (but in a good way)

Those tires only lasted 40-45k (the goodyears about 45k and the dunlops 40k)

Now we have a set of no-name (they probably have a name... just one I've never heard) tires on it. All 4 the same... Honestly, I like them better, and they seem to be wearing better than either the dunlops or the goodyears. They have a tread pattern identical to the goodyear Viva 2 though.