Adventures in tires.

[vakkotaur]

Just before the latest travels I went to Discount Tire in Mankato as the tires I had only just barely passed the penny test. Unfortunately the Mankato shop only has a rather limited selection and I was stuck with the choice of delaying (not a real option), going to Discount Tire in the Twin Cities (more time and I only recall it was a royal pain to get to last time), or Goodyears then and there. I hemmed and hawed and grumbled, but since I only had one realistic choice I went with the Goodyears. I was assured that there was a 30 day time for me to "change my mind" and I could try them out and at least have decent tread for my trip.

I made the trip on the Goodyears and while they had no problems (and were quiet, I'll give them that) I felt uneasy. Today I called Discount Tire and told them to get me the tires I really wanted (which are less expensive and if I recall correctly have a slightly longer warranty). The guy I talked to seemed to have a bit of disbelief that I was simply uncomfortable with the make.

What it comes down to is that I when bought the car, it had Goodyear (Integrity) on it. They weren't very good and didn't last long at all. While "Integrity tires are crap" may be fairly well-known, the first impression I came away with is, "Goodyear makes crap." Maybe the ComforTread or whatever they are are fine, but it doesn't matter. I don't have confidence in them just because of the name on the sidewall. I recall the earlier Goodyears and as a result of that experience I have no confidence in any Goodyear product now. As is said, "There's no second chance to make a good first impression."

Comments

[rummy-raccoon.livejournal.com]

Do you guys have a LesSchwab or American tire co' out there? Never use American tire co. They screwed me on a warrenty and busted the ignition in my mates Audi because they didn't know how to start a german car. (In most euro cars, if you dont start the car on the first try, you have to turn the ignition all the way back before trying again.) Then they wouldn't pay for the damage. How ever, even before I had tires through them, LesSchwab fixed 3 of my flats for free. And since I've been buying tires there, I had a couple of "accidents" with the tires and they replaced them for free. What tires do you get btw?

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

I don't recall either of those around here. I've had Michelins that I liked* but I'm going with Pirelli P3000 this time as they're a bit less expensive. Also, the reviews I've read indicate they do quite well in snow which is an important consideration for me.

* When Jay bought his Lexus RX300 several years it came with Goodyear Integrity, and he didn't think much of them either. The LX350 he bought recently came with Michelins that he is much happier about. I find it telling that the luxury brand went not with a "better grade" of Goodyear, but an entirely different manufacturer.

[invader-tak-1.livejournal.com]

Discount tire is overpriced.

FOr cheap tires go to Sam's club. Though last time amazingly I got the nest bid from Firestone, and they rotate and balance free as well as fix flats as part of the warranty

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

I refuse to go to Sam's Club as I avoid places that treat their customers or "members" as either criminals or children that must be inspected at the exit. And I quite simply don't trust Firestone.

[yakko.livejournal.com]

My (used) car came with Firestones on the back and some Korean tires (Kumho, I think) on the front.

The Kumhos started going bald, and so I rotated the Firestones up front. Very bad move. The Firestones are incredibly noisy!

The very first excuse I had, I replaced the whole mess with a set of Michelin X-Radials from Costco. Much better!