Where is the best place to buy tires? I know what I want, but from where?
 

Tire Rack, Sam's, The dealership? Is it better to buy them online and have them shipped? Walmart and Sams have great protection plans and I have bought 3 or 4 sets from them in the past, but the tires they have available in our size are allover $200 a piece! Your thoughts?

If Sam's has what you want, go with them. Free rotation etc. and if you have a flat, they will take care of you.

Get the best price you can from anywhere. Then, go to Discount Tires locally (or a similar place) and get them to match your best price (taking into account tax, shipping, mounting, etc.). It is better to deal with a local place (free rebalancing, rotation, flat repair, etc.) and to buy from a person/dealer you know personally.

Share with us. What exactly are you getting? Brand and size. And why your choice? Just curious.

No other place than DISCOUNT TIRES. Go to your local store. They will match any quote you bring from any other place.

I have gone to ALL. I mean ALL to get quotes. Discount tire gave me the best quote including warranty, free lifetime balance and rotation.

Walmart has a size for our cars... 245/45/18. It is Goodyear. Looks like the RSA. I have forgotten the exact name of this goodyear at walmart.

If I am not mistaken, you have a thread somewhere where you were asking about the 255/40/18s, right? I totally wanted to do that, but have gotten a lot of people saying it wouldn't be good. So, I will stick with 245/45/18. I already have my Goodyear GTs on lay-away at discount tires. I wouldn't finish paying till December when I hope to have them put them on.

Sam's Club will match any price too. :)

:werd:That's exactly what I did when I picked up a set of Goodyear F1 GS2's for $98ea.(245/45/18) Tire rack was offering the deal, went down to Discount Tires with my printout, they confirmed it, and it was a done deal. As for other places matching the price, make sure the other shop also sells what tires you want because some of those shops have limited choices. I'm a Costco member and all they sell I think are BF Goodrich and Michelin's.

The GS2's are still on sale for $102 with a $50 rebate at Tire Rack.

I am thinking of getting the Eagle GT's like you. I have decided not to get the 255's on others advice. I have about 7500 miles left before I feel like I need a new set. The time is coming!

TIRE RACK IS THE BEST

Tire rack is the best to get prices FROM. Like everyone else said take that price and bring it to DISCOUNT TIRES. I paid 575 for all 4 Continental extreme All-season tires with free replacement to 1/8th tread, free rotation, free balancing for the life of the tires. Ohh and I think I had them siped. Don't get your tires SIPED unless you plan to drive through snow all the time. Not meant for pavement, even though the claim it. You will rip off tread chunks when you get them siped.

Tires
 

This past July replaced the GY Eagle RSA's (got 35k milles) with Dunlop Signature SP's - much, much better tire with a 60k mile rating, purcased from local GY store. 245 45 18, four tires at $167 each (RSA's were $241 each).

Add me to the list of Discount Tire satisfied customers. They put tires on the Corvette and then the Maxima, They will compete on price.
Going in Saturday to have the Maxima tires rebalanced and rotated at the 6500 mile mark on new Goodyears. No charge.

Discount Tire

+1 to those who have suggested using Tire Rack, etc. to look for tires and then find someone locally that will match price.. This almost always works in your favor.

I have a different question -- I picked out a General Altimax HP to replace the OEM Continental's that have 44k on them. Dobb's can get them, but after ordering they called me back and warned that I shouldn't use them because they are H rated and the OEM are V rated. I don't race or fly around corners. Thoughts? Has anyone else changed out the '07 SL OEM tires with something that will be good year 'round?

Thanks
Aaron

H rating are not so good for our cars IMO. I mean they are rated at 130mph but V's are 149. Not only are there speed ratings, but what most people don't think about is when you spin the tires in rain how fast your tires spin could be faster than you would go if you where doing 80mph or faster. then all of a sudden they catch. bad news. I would either stick with the Conti's or find another high speed rated allseason tire.

Tire Spinning Can Be Dangerous
Spinning a tire to remove a vehicle stuck in mud, snow or wet grass can be dangerous. This
could cause serious personal injury or death to a bystander or passenger and extensive vehicle damage. A tire spinning at a speedometer reading above 35 miles per hour (55 km/h) can in a matter of seconds reach a speed capable of disintegrating a tire with explosive force. Under some conditions, a tire may be spinning at a speed twice that shown on the speedometer. Never spin a tire above a speedometer reading of 35 mph (55 km/h). Never allow anyone to stand near or directly behind the spinning tire. Do not spin if a drive wheel is off the ground.
Speed-Rated Symbol Speed Category
M Up to 81 mph (130 km/h)
N Up to 87 mph (140 km/h)
P Up to 93 mph (150 km/h)
Q Up to 99 mph (160 km/h)
R Up to 106 mph (170 km/h)
S Up to 112 mph (180 km/h)
T Up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
U Up to 124 mph (200 km/h)
H Up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V Up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
W Up to 168 mph (270 km/h)***
Y Up to 186 mph (300 km/h)***
Z R Over 149 mph (240 km/h)**
65
Warning! The following situation can be dangerous:
Spin balancing a tire on the vehicle; at speeds exceeding a vehicle speedometer reading of 35mph (55 km/h) [70 mph (115 km/h) if the tire is being balanced off of the vehicle or if the vehicle is equipped with a limited slip differential]; can be dangerous. The tire may fail with explosive force causing serious injury or death. Only trained personnel should spin balance tires. You should stand well away from the work area when tires are being spin balanced either on or off the vehicle.

Here is everything you need to know about tires. http://marktg.toyotires.com/file/TireSafety2007.pdf

Tires
 

Can't remember when I was first looking, thought the GY GT's has an odd tread pattern and my create a harsh ride. The Dunlop I purchased were from an independent GY store (they also sold other brands) and the same Dunlop was about 20% less than at a regular GY store.

Bridgestone Turanza Serenity.
I got them from the dealership at the same price as Tirerack (and I didn't have to pay shipping) and cheaper than Firestone, which was weird.

TireRack , got the low low price for a pair of 275/30/20s

Order them Wed moring , they were at my shop VIA FEDEX Thrusday moring..

talk about fast shipping..about to order the fronts soon

Everybody has an opinion about tires, so here's mine. I drive an '04 SE. I'v had Bridgstone, Continental, Dunlap and Goodyear tires on it. I live in a climate where snow and ice are not an issue (Memphis, TN), but rain is. The best combination of wet traction, dry traction, road noise and tire wear for me is obtained with Goodyear Eagle F1-D3. Wet and dry traction is just phenominal. I have the tires rotated and rebalanced every 3000 miles (at Discount Tire) and maintain proper pressure. I have no trouble getting 38-40 thousand miles on a set. They're expensive ($225.00-250.00 per tire), but are well worth the extra money in terms of safety, wear,comfort and handeling.

Unless you have an uncle in the tire business, Discount Tire is, by far, the best place to buy tires. The closest one to me is 120 miles away, but I will stil go to them for all my tire needs. That's my opinion, for what it's worth. Hope it was of some value to someone.