Buying Tires for the First Time

[lippy]

I'm due for tires for my '03 Grand Am SE (215/60-15) and am not sure what to get. I know I need to get something that works for all seasons (I live in Minnesota).

What is the difference between a $66 tire and an $86 tire... then an $106 tire?

What price range is the best value?

Does brand matter, or should I buy based on price?

Are prices of tires negotiable?

Should I wait for a deal from the newspaper to buy?

Is there anything I need to know so that I don't get ripped off?

[onthebutton]

Also going to do this soon, would be interested if someone has some advice.

[mrpurple]

I always feel ripped off buying tires. I drive a Mini cooper and 2 years ago there was only one tire made that was the correct size for my car. I saved almost $75 on the exact same tire (size manufactuer etc....) by ging thru http://www.tirerack.com/ . They shipped them to a local place that installed them for a small fee. Great site.


Of Course, I'm not affiliated with them in any way.

[loose passive]

Costco

[RacersEdge]

Go to tirerack.com. A pretty good explanation of tires there and you can get a good price and just have a shop put them on - probably for about 10 bucks a tire - (mount and balance.)

[Badger]

Discount Tire. There's a ton around the Twin Cities. They'll help you out just fine.

[lippy]

[ QUOTE ]
Discount Tire. There's a ton around the Twin Cities. They'll help you out just fine.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is where I'm probably going to do.

[jzpiano]

I had to buy a set for my car about 2 years ago. I went to Discount Tire and was quoted 220 a tire, so I went to sam's club (they will beat a competor by 10%) was down to 198 a tire, went to NTB (they offer the same deal), they knocked off 20% was down to around 160 tire. I then went back to Discount Tire, they said we can do it for 140. PWNT! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Moral: Play them off on each other, many many times