Can't find a good tire

[frojoe]

Hey Everyone, its been a while since I've been around.

I need to replace all 4 tires on my 93' camry. Tire size is 195-70-14.

I need a tire that is great in snow and ice, but is all season. I don't drive enough to justify 2 sets of tires but go up skiing often in the winter. My previous tire was a goodyear tripletred, which I loved, unfortunately they don't come in this size anymore. It seems hardly any premium tires come in this size anymore. Any suggestions for an all season in this size that does well in the winter? Thanks,

-Joe-

[Scott O'Kashan]

Originally Posted by frojoe

Hey Everyone, its been a while since I've been around.

I need to replace all 4 tires on my 93' camry. Tire size is 195-70-14.

I need a tire that is great in snow and ice, but is all season. I don't drive enough to justify 2 sets of tires but go up skiing often in the winter. My previous tire was a goodyear tripletred, which I loved, unfortunately they don't come in this size anymore. It seems hardly any premium tires come in this size anymore. Any suggestions for an all season in this size that does well in the winter? Thanks,

-Joe-

Keep in mind that an all season tire is a jack of all trades and a master of none. If a good set of winter tires saves you from just one hit with the guardrail, (or worse), they've paid for themselves many times over. Having two sets of tires will also save you money in tire replacement costs as the tires will last approximately twice as long. You wont be needing to replace tires for many years. There's a lot to be said for peace of mind too and a set of winter tires will provide that.

TireRack.com has a nice winter tire in the Firestone Winterforce at only $62 each. But as for an all season tire goes, you are correct in that there doesn't seem to be much available anymore in a premium all season tire. The P195/70R-14 size is starting to become obsolete.

-- B.F.Goodrich T/A Certified Tire Specialist

[RNMCGUIRE]

Wow it's too bad that they don't make the TripleTread in your size. I just got an amazing deal about a month ago on the old version for my 95 Camry. Mine has 15" tires but I got the 80,000 mile Goodyear Assurance TripleTreads installed for $370 out the door at my local Goodyear tire store. The manager couldn't believe the price as I guess the distributor was closing them out. Oh ya, I also got an $80 mail in rebate as well as a $40 mail in rebate for military members. So $250 installed after rebates!! It was my lucky day! Call around maybe they have some of the first generation tripletreads in a warehouse.

[Zembonez]

Not a lot of choice in 14 inchers anymore. I'd cruise tirerack.com and see what they rate best.

[DLW]

If you have or know anyone that has a Costco or Sams Club membership check there.

I had been using Micheline Hydroedges for a few sets on my cars. Long life, great 3 season, but suck in the snow.

Recently I talked with a couple of the guys at Costco and they all said, the best all season high milage tire is the Micheline x-radial. They said it costs less than the Hydroedge and is better. Not fancy, just better. Have been using them for a year on my van and just put 2 on the camry.

Costco and Sams club alternate every 30-45 days with either $70 off Micheline or Bridgestone. So, you just wait till the Michelines go back on sale. I just picked up 195-70-14 X-radials before the price increase for $88 each plus $15 each for instalation. They are now $98.

98 x 4 = 396
4 x 15 = 60
= 456
456 -70(sale) is $386 plus tax for a 80,000 mile good Micheline 195-70-14

Those 2 places usually have the best prices plus the $70 discount-sales.

When you look them up online, if you plug in your vehicle, it does not always show all the models available, check under "find tires by size" too.

At Costco, the Michelines should be back on sale 1st or 2nd week of December. Just call them up and they will tell you when they are expected back on sale.

[frojoe]

I have looked more into getting some real snow tires and I would like too but I need a set of 4 new wheels which adds to the cost. I guess I should take a look at some junkyards for those? I also need 4 new all seasons either way, so the cost is getting pretty high for a car I only drive on some weekends.

If I can find some cheap wheels I will probably buy some snows for now and buy all seasons in the spring.

How good are snow tires on dry roads in the winter? I will be doing plenty of highway driving when it isn't snowing as well. Tirerack and discount tire direct are where I have shopped before and they don't have much but I'll keep looking.

-Joe-

[71Corolla]

Winter tires are terrible in dry conditions, plus you will wear them out quickly. The best tire in your size is probably the Michelin Harmony/Destiny (they are the same tire) but Tirerack.com does not list that tire for some reason, maybe they are no longer being made? I would look around for that tire, is is very good and decent in the winter, although no all-season will take the place of a good winter tire.

edit - Go to Michelin's site and click the locate dealer link. Also click the next tire/previous tire link to see more tires in your size. The Harmony/Destiny is listed there, the tread might be slightly different hard to tell from the picture.

[Yuko]

Originally Posted by 71Corolla

Winter tires are terrible in dry conditions, plus you will wear them out quickly. The best tire in your size is probably the Michelin Harmony/Destiny (they are the same tire) but Tirerack.com does not list that tire for some reason, maybe they are no longer being made? I would look around for that tire, is is very good and decent in the winter, although no all-season will take the place of a good winter tire.

The Michelin Harmony are listed on Tirerack and looks like a great solid all-season. But the one thing that stops me from buying Michelin is that their sidewall tend to turn brown after a few month. I haven't have any other brands do that and all get tire shine too. Well, our 12' Camry has Michelin Energy Saver and will see it they change color.

OP: What about snow chains if you only drive on some weekends.

[71Corolla]

Tires turning brown? That's a new one for me, it might sound obvious but maybe just brake dust? I have Michelin on all my cars right now except one, and they have been great.

[pmesfun]

Yeah all my Michelin tires are brown, while the wheels are clean, lol. I haven't washed my car in a couple months though.

OP, get the X-Radial(Harmony/Destiny), good tread life and very quiet. Pretty cheap too.

[frojoe]

The harmony is a tire one tire place actually had available in the correct size. I had never heard of them so I had no idea if they were a good tire. I just found a good deal on Hankook Optimo H727's which consumer reports has as a recommended all season that does well in snow and ice. Any one have experience with either of those?

Regardless of what I get I will probably buy some snow chains to have just in case. I don't want to rely on them too much because you can't drive highway speed with them and up on the empty maine highways I tend to drive about 60mph in the snow as long as its not too bad.

[71Corolla]

Originally Posted by frojoe

I just found a good deal on Hankook Optimo H727's which consumer reports has as a recommended all season that does well in snow and ice. Any one have experience with either of those?

I have them on my '93, I would rate them slightly below the Michelin's, the Hankook's are a good tire. I bought because the deal was too good to pass up, if the price was in the same range I would buy the Michelin's.

[Bdub215]

Originally Posted by Scott O'Kashan

Keep in mind that an all season tire is a jack of all trades and a master of none. If a good set of winter tires saves you from just one hit with the guardrail, (or worse), they've paid for themselves many times over. Having two sets of tires will also save you money in tire replacement costs as the tires will last approximately twice as long. You wont be needing to replace tires for many years. There's a lot to be said for peace of mind too and a set of winter tires will provide that.

TireRack.com has a nice winter tire in the Firestone Winterforce at only $62 each. But as for an all season tire goes, you are correct in that there doesn't seem to be much available anymore in a premium all season tire. The P195/70R-14 size is starting to become obsolete.

-- B.F.Goodrich T/A Certified Tire Specialist

The Winterforces are a excellent winter tire that i can attest to. i have them on my stock ES wheels and they blazed through 18 inches of snow like a hot knife through butter. as it sits they are currently on my car cause my summer tire package has reached its limit for the year. they dont exactly like the cold or snow.

[frojoe]

Originally Posted by 71Corolla

I have them on my '93, I would rate them slightly below the Michelin's, the Hankook's are a good tire. I bought because the deal was too good to pass up, if the price was in the same range I would buy the Michelin's.

Have you driven in the snow much with them. Consumer reports has them as worse for dry roads but better for snow and ice. I this point it looks like its between the optima, hydroforce, and harmony. All seem fine for dry/wet roads so I want one best in snow and ice.

[mail2_jb]

just saw a commercial on tv that tirerack is giving 70$ off on 4 Micheline tires. check it out.