'92 Camry XLE - Bringing her back to life, need help with tires!

[Comasleep]

Hello all!

I've got a 92 Toyota Camry XLE that I recently have decided to 'resurrect' as it were. About 6 months ago both front tires simply tore apart in a driving accident involving some unblocked road construction, and I didn't have the money to fix them, along with shot brakes and an oil leak in the engine. I switched to driving a Ford Expedition and have been using that since, but recently decided to fix the old XLE. I've loved this car since I was a kid when my dad bought it off the showroom back in '92, and I learned how to drive in it 14 years later, so I'm sure you fellow Camry-goers of all people can see my reasoning.

I'm gonna be moving up north to PA soon, and I'm trying to decide on new tires. I could go the All-Season route, but considering the price of All-Season tires that actually function very, very well in snow and ice, I'm leaning more towards saying screw it and just buying Winter tires, because of how harsh and dangerous these past few winters have been up north.

Anyway on to my question; I'm looking at some Kumho Ice Power KW21's but many people say they're really loud, especially at highway speeds. While that doesn't matter too much to me, I don't really know that much about tires or brands, so I was wondering if anyone (especially people living in colder climates) had any suggestions for tires that have served them well? I've looked at 1010tires.com, but there's still so many choices it's a little overwhelming. Any genuine advice is greatly appreciated!

[BMR]

I don't ever run pure snow tires, so don't have any advice there. But Tirerack.com is a good place to look. People write reviews to help you sort the very good from the very bad. It all needs to be taken with a grain of salt, tho. You can always find one guy who says a tire sucks, and another who thinks it's the best ever.

[capnblinski]

You can always find one guy who says a tire sucks, and another who thinks it's the best ever.

Ain't that ever the truth.

I bought a set of General Altimax HP's from the TireRack size 215/60 R15 for my '00 Camry with the four-cylinder engine and stock wheels that have the pop-off covers. They are fairly inexpensive at $75 each and are the directional type. So far at around 2500 miles they are quiet and smooth and stable feeling. And to my way of thinking with things as expensive as they are nowadays, I'm not about to pay $125 or so for any tire. And I'll betcha these Generals will wear about as long. So go to their site and read some of the reviews - you may like what you hear.