help a noob buy tires

[midnight growler]

Before I start, my tire size is 205/65R15 and I'm in Eastern Missouri.

I need two tires for my 98 Mercury Sable and I'm getting cold feet about Walmart tires.

Walmart has their "Goodyear" Viva 3 tires at $66 each installed at $162 (with tax added by me) This is also without their road hazard warranty. The mileage warranty is 60k fwiw.

The next option from an indie tire store are Kelly Edge A/S $190 installed with tax. This is very close to a local chain's price as well. 55k miles.

The last option are Falken Sincera SN250 A/S installed for $226 with tax, coupon down to $206. Supposedly a 80k mile tire. From a 2nd, smaller tire/auto chain store.

Am I overreacting about the Walmart tires being low quality? To be honest, I do my best to avoid Walmart in general.

Right now I'm leaning towards the Kelly tires.

I'm also not keen on buying tires online because the shipping and installation prices are probably going to come out equal.

 

[Jimzz]

Your tire size is 205/65-15.

But if you plan to keep the car for a while the General Altimax RT43 are a very good tire. They cost a little more but are a good tire for the price. Says it has free install until 7-26 for this tire.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/General-Altimax-RT43-Tire-205-65R15-94H/42955378

 

[SearchMaster]

For the most part, they all come out of a handful of Chinese factories. Of course that doesn't mean they are designed or built the same because they use different quality rubber.

I'm not sure why you put "Goodyear" in quotes - they really are Goodyear tires but like most manufacturers, they have good/better/best lines.

None of the lines you listed will be utter crap so I wouldn't be concerned about it. Check their UTQG (traction/temp/treadlife) ratings and see if they all have A/AA ratings or at least A/A for temp and traction. The treadlife rating is less important because they aren't that comparable across different manufacturers and the warranty should give you a good idea of what sort of life they'll have.

When people use the term "Walmart tires" derogatorily, they are talking about the Chinese branded tires that aren't of the same quality as those you listed.

 

[HarryLui]

When I buy tires, I look for the lowest wear number. I like them soft rather than hard. I live in AZ and 3 year old tires already started dry rotted and have cracks on them, so no point having 90k rock hard tires.

I buy tires online and get them mounted locally, often time it is cheaper for me to do so and I get the exact tires I want.

I use http://www.onlinetires.com and http://www.tirerack.com
Of course, what works for me probably doesn't work for most people out there.

 

[boomerang]

If you're replacing just two, I'd go with the Walmart tires. My goal, and that's probably just me, would be to end up at some point having to replace all four at the same time.

While many seem to be having great results, my neighbor ordered a set of tires online and had them mounted and balanced locally. He has one or more bad tires. He has a vibration they can't get rid of. The store that did the M/B will only go so far. They are not willing to go the extra mile for tires they did not sell and I fully understand their position. He either has one or more out of round tires or the belts shifted, etc., during their construction.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

The last option are Falken Sincera SN250 A/S installed for $226 with tax, coupon down to $206. Supposedly a 80k mile tire. From a 2nd, smaller tire/auto chain store.

They are $53.- each at wallyworld. Seems like every $ counts so out the door should be around $150.-

 

[WackyDan]

Your tire size is 205/65-15.

But if you plan to keep the car for a while the General Altimax RT43 are a very good tire. They cost a little more but are a good tire for the price. Says it has free install until 7-26 for this tire.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/General-Altimax-RT43-Tire-205-65R15-94H/42955378

Second the General Altimax... Great tires all around, but awesome in the rain. On our second set. Got so much mileage out of the first set that they were still good, but starting to get fissures in the sidewall from age.

 

[midnight growler]

Thanks for the help everyone, I appreciate it!

To be honest, this is the first time in years I've even considered giving Walmart my money. My distrust is because I really don't like the company. This isn't the P&N forum though so I'll shut up about that.

The Falken SN 211 tires for $53 looks like a really great deal. Its between those and the Generals. $115 with taxes and fees installed for $24 = $139 final.

Now the only obstacle is delivery. Its free but estimation is 10 days and there is no other option :/ I guess I can wait that long.