ATOTers, is it the norm to spend $700-800 for a set of new tires?

[slag]

good tires don't have to be expensive. Wait until a major holiday and then buy your tires at discount tire direct. They frequently offer nice discounts on sets of tires, more if you have their credit card. I put 4 cooper tires on my truck with good ratings a couple years ago and spent right around $550 or so after discount. They are 18 inch truck tires though. I just put two tires on the M3 as well and spent under $300. You don't have to buy the top of the line michelin tires to get good tires.

 

[Midwayman]

$800 is pretty descent for those tire sizes installed. Assuming you're paying for a good tire and not some off brand marked up. Easy enough to check price vs tirerack online.

 

[Yuriman]

If you drive an econobox, the best tires available may be more like $500 for a set. High end, non exotic cars, $1800-$2400 a set.

This. It really depends on your tire size.

The best Nokians available for my 14" rims (in the correct aspect ratio) were about ~$95 each. These same tires in a larger size were closer to $200.

The cheapest tires available for my rims are about $30 each.

 

[tortillasoup]

Unless you've got specific needs, I always go for tires that are highest rated with longest mileage warranty. As for where to buy tires, try discounttiredirect.com. Tire rack is a good site for comparing ratings of tires along with consumer reports. I don't use their ratings as the only guide but they're useful nonetheless.

I'd get tires with at least a 60K mile warranty, the longer the better and also try to get them with an LRR rating as well.


http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...VR8PUREC&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...R8CP7ASP&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

Going by the reviews and the better warranty (unlimited time), the Pirelli Cinturato tires seem to be a better than the Continental Purecontact. The Purecontact is a bit noiser according to reviews compared with the Cinturato. Otherwise they have similar wear, milewage warranties, both LRR, etc.

 

[Midwayman]

Unless you've got specific needs, I always go for tires that are highest rated with longest mileage warranty. As for where to buy tires, try discounttiredirect.com. Tire rack is a good site for comparing ratings of tires along with consumer reports. I don't use their ratings as the only guide but they're useful nonetheless.

I'd get tires with at least a 60K mile warranty, the longer the better and also try to get them with an LRR rating as well.

Longer warranty (generally) = harder tire = less traction. Depends on your priorities. 90k mile tires feel like driving on hockey pucks to me.

 

[ultimatebob]

never skimp. I spent about 700 on coopers for the truck, the snows for the volt were around 600.

I've gone cheap on tires before. The tires (16" KUMHO Ecsta 4X for my Mini, about $450 installed) seemed OK, but they only lasted about 40,000 miles.

 

[Jimzz]

A good inexpensive tire in your size is the Sumitomo HTR A/S P02
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...HTRASP02&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes


If you want a longer life and little higher rated tire the Continental PureContact with EcoPlus
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...VR8PUREC&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes


I have the local walmart install my tires. Usually around $80ish for 4 installed.

 

[Kelvrick]

I spend about $600 on tires for my 2008 subaru outback each time. I don't buy tires when I need them, I buy them when they're cheap. I'll need them eventually.

The 94 Miata's 15" tires are much cheaper. My last order was $850 - $175 in rebates for both wheels AND tires. Here are my last 3 order totals.

 

[tortillasoup]

Longer warranty (generally) = harder tire = less traction. Depends on your priorities. 90k mile tires feel like driving on hockey pucks to me.

read the reviews of the tires. some tires have excellent grip with a long life. The two I mentioned have fantastic grip despite long life and LRR.

 

[Midwayman]

read the reviews of the tires. some tires have excellent grip with a long life. The two I mentioned have fantastic grip despite long life and LRR.*

*For a long life tire.

Its all relative. There are good and bad long life tires, but all of them fall towards the lower end of the spectrum for traction. Actually had the pure contacts and thought they were some of the worst tires I've had. Right up there with re92's. Ick. People who buy those things have other priorities than traction and handling.

For more objective data-
Here's the test data for your tire group choices
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/chartDisplay.jsp?ttid=188

Here's summer tires
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/chartDisplay.jsp?ttid=202

The summer tires stop about 15ft sooner 50-0. Even if you don't care about g-forces or handling, stopping distance is a big reason to stay away from hard rubber.

 

[CA19100]

Is it the norm to spend $800~ on tires?

Back in my old Mazda 6, I did get BFGoodrich T/A traction for $600 out the door about 7 years ago, I guess $800 is about right factoring inflation.

Any better prices for non-mystery models? (Brand names alone don't matter, actual models make a huge difference).

[more info]
1. The car is Accord 2009 coupe EX-L 18", 235 /45 R18

For quality tires in that size, no, that's actually a pretty good price. The specific size of tire has a lot to do with that. The Costco in my area would charge $749.96 for a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 tires for your car, and that's after the $70 discount for buying four tires.

For comparison, I recently put a set of some well-rated Cooper tires on my 06 Civic EX, size 205/55R16, for about $500 installed from a local shop in the Seattle suburbs. (Costco was roughly the same price, but I try to support the small independent stores when I can. My local shop has been good to me over the years.)

I've tried skimping on tires in the past, and have usually regretted it. You really notice it in the ride quality, the noise, and the handling. I assume you bought the coupe because it's more fun to drive than the sedan; the tires are part of it! (For comparison, the same model Michelins above from Costco, sized for the Accord EX-L sedan, would be $585. For my Ford Fusion, that model isn't available in my size, but Costco has options varying from $809 to $1319 for a set. Ouch!)

 

[soulcougher73]

Been a few years but i think the last set of Michelins i got were about $160 each. So $640 + tax and install. So yeah lol

 

[bruceb]

Hard to say, but when you get to the 18 inch or bigger, they do cost a bit more. On my Grand Prix (stock tire size) a set of Pirelli is about $140 per tire (I think the are the P6) .. so that is close to $600 if I need all 4 at the same time. I also choose my tire brand / version based on what the rain or wet ratings are. I want to be able to have good control in the wet. If that is the case, dry handling will be very good as well (but a slightly shorter tire life)

 

[tortillasoup]

*For a long life tire.

Its all relative. There are good and bad long life tires, but all of them fall towards the lower end of the spectrum for traction. Actually had the pure contacts and thought they were some of the worst tires I've had. Right up there with re92's. Ick. People who buy those things have other priorities than traction and handling.

For more objective data-
Here's the test data for your tire group choices
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/chartDisplay.jsp?ttid=188

Here's summer tires
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/chartDisplay.jsp?ttid=202

The summer tires stop about 15ft sooner 50-0. Even if you don't care about g-forces or handling, stopping distance is a big reason to stay away from hard rubber.

most people do not drive on summer tires. They use all season tires which means = no care, out of sight, out of mind type drivers. Ideally you'd have two sets of tires but most people aren't like that.

 

[Jumpem]

Yes, that's normal. I usually only have to buy a set of snow tires when I get a new vehicle, about $600 to $700.

 

[Herr Kutz]

$725.61 OTD (everything included) for 4x Michelin Defender 15 inchers (185/65/15T) in early 2013. The tires were the best I could get for my car and cost $124.99. I'm sure I probably got screwed. It's about time to change them out now that I have 90k miles on them.

 

[twinrider1]

Does $800 include TPMS?

 

[freeskier93]

Wait till you drive sports cars.

For my GTR, it's about $2300 per set (and they only last about 10K miles ).

For my Cayman S, it's about $1500 per set.

For my IS-F, it's about $1300 per set.

But, I would say that you should never skimp on the tires. It's the only part of your car that touches the ground.

Stop buying the Dunlop run flats for your GTR then. What the hell do you need run flats for?

 

[madoka]

Stop buying the Dunlop run flats for your GTR then. What the hell do you need run flats for?

GTRs don't have spare tires.

 

[jlee]

GTRs don't have spare tires.

Neither does my MR2, but that's what roadside assistance is for.

 

[thescreensavers]

Neither does my MR2, but that's what roadside assistance is for.

Or a patch kit I use this one http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018EUDHW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

I wouldn't dare to spend 2300 every 10k miles that's idiotic.

For $1340 4 RS3s + shipping ( used 2014 Nismo on Tire Rack), they'd prob last 10k too haha but at least half priced.

My Jeep I bought 4 tires for 465, Cooper AT3 265/75/16

My Subbie for 4 I paid 880, PSS 265/35/18.

Depends what tire you want you can buy chinese specials or a brand name.

 

[Midwayman]

most people do not drive on summer tires. They use all season tires which means = no care, out of sight, out of mind type drivers. Ideally you'd have two sets of tires but most people aren't like that.

Which is fine, but lets not pretend that the performance of high mileage all seasons is anything other than 'good enough' for people who don't really care about such things.

 

[tortillasoup]

Which is fine, but lets not pretend that the performance of high mileage all seasons is anything other than 'good enough' for people who don't really care about such things.

well the tires I showed are considered "grand touring" tires so they're not bottom of the barrel hockey pucks like you think they are.

 

[SithSolo1]

I don't think I've paid under $800 for a set of tires since I got my car, they really reem you in the 19" size range.

 

[freeskier93]

GTRs don't have spare tires.

Lots of vehicles these days don't have spare tires. I don't carry a spare tire, on the road, for my Jeep. There are cheaper options, like AAA or a patch kit.