I need to replace tires on my '01 Maxima before the winter. Can anyone recommend a tire shop in GTA? I looked at Costco but they quoted me $1,000 plus tax for four Michelins.

Do you have winter tires? Yes...

Michelin's are always expensive. Stay away from Yokohama tires, they tend to be very loud.

Do you have the GLE or the SE trim? For GLE (luxe model) the Toyo 800 Ultra or the Bridgestone Turanza. For the SE, maybe the Toyo Proxes TPT or the Bridgestone Potenxa G009 (<-- my recomendation of the bunch.).

Look into Goodyear Assurance tripletread - not the comfortread.

Have you thought of dropping by Buffalo or Detroit and visiting one of the major discount tire chains? With the dollar pretty well par now, you'll probably pay around $400 less for the tires Costco gave you the quote for.

Canadian tire dealers are gouging us..

Try Automotive Import Market. I've always had good service and relatively good prices there. There's also Tire Depot.

Thank you all for quick responses.
The car is the SE model (OEM tire Potenza RE92 225-50-17).
I was thinking Yokohama; last year I installed four AVIDs on my wife's car and could not believe their soft ride and grip on wet.
Since I live in Mississauga I don't find winter tires necessary. The current tires are the originals (95K on them) and have server me well for six years (winters included). I do find them little "hard" and this is one of the reasons I would like to change. Another reason is the cost, they also come at around $1,000

Buying in the US did cross my mind but I am not sure about duties when re-entering Canada, I am sure customs officers are familiar with the scheme.

I will check the local shops (as suggested by 57) and post my results.
In the meantime if anyone can think of anything else, please post!

Milo

I've been running Nokian tires on two veheicles the last couple of years. Nokian is a Finnish manufacturer and tests its tires in the arctic circle. Out here Kal Tire offers them.

I seem to recall that the following all season (three IMO), performance tires that have good reviews and offer great bang for the buck:

Kumho ECSTA ASX ~$152

Sumitomo HTR+ ~$148

Falken ZE-912 ~$141 * tirewear will probably be an issue (50 aspect ratio don't last long as the 60's)

Try posting to Mort of TireTrends (mod in the tire section) at the Canadian Driver forum. Prices are from TT. Hankook tires are also good...but I don't know which model would ideal for you....Mort would know. Of the three, I think that I would go with the ASX. Hancook W300 Icebears would be the ideal performance winter tire.

Dave

milo,

I would not still recommend winter tires even if you leave in the GTA. Cold weather affects stopping distance as well.

I can't recommend an all season tire but can recommend a winter tire depending on your driving.

If you occasionally drive over 140 and aggressively then from my reasearh the Toyo Garit HT or last year I think it was called KX or something like that. They are not quite the best in snow and ice but are extremely good in dry weather driving.

If not then I would recommmend: Blizzaks,Nokian Hakkapeliitta, Hankook Icebear W300, Pirelli Winter Carving. These are a few of the top brands IMO. However there is not a single all season tire which is as good as any winter tire.

milo,

I would not still recommend winter tires even if you leave in the GTA. Cold weather affects stopping distance as well.I wouldn't. Not worth the hassle - I know a number of people I know who end up driving their winter tires in very warm conditions. Personally, when the weather warrants snow tires - I take transit. Might lose a few minutes, but rush hour in the GTA with ice, is not worth the hassle, no matter what type of tires you have!

If you occasionally drive over 140 and aggressively then from my reasearh the Toyo Garit HT or last year I think it was called KX or something like that. If your concerned about stopping distance, I'd suggest that you might consider not driving recklessly, rather than what tires you are using. I concede if someone is going to drive in this manner (putting all our lives in danger) then yes get the winter tires. But better yet - by a bus pass.

would first like to correct my mistake in previous post. I said I would not recoommend Winter tires. This is absolutely wrong. I meant to say I would still recommend winter tires even if you leave in the GTA.

nfitz,

Have you ever driven with winter tires? I use to say......I'll just drive slower, keep my distance etc etc.

You can not control what other people do. Most accidents in the winter are preventable and 2 most common reasons is over confidence and bad tires.

Aggressively does mean to drive dangerously. All I meant was accellerating quickly, deaccelerating quickly, and taking turns at 30+km/hr.

The first snowfall I had I noticed a gigantic difference how the car could turn and start in the snow. The biggest critic for spending the extra money on rims and tires the wife was not complaining after the first snowfall either.

I only drive summer and winter tires now and will never drive no season tires again.

Hassle? 1/2 hour to change them myself or crappy tire will change it back for $50 or less. IT IS worth the hassle. IT IS worth the money.

I would also recommend buying them used however now is not the time to buy them used. I have bought many sets of tires and rims used for only one seaon with almost full tread depth left for 1/2 to 1/5 of reg. price.

would first like to correct my mistake in previous post. I said I would not recoommend Winter tires. This is absolutely wrong. I meant to say I would still recommend winter tires even if you leave in the GTA.Oddly, I actually understood what you meant - and didn't even notice the error.

Have you ever driven with winter tires? I use to say......I'll just drive slower, keep my distance etc etc.

You can not control what other people do. Most accidents in the winter are preventable and 2 most common reasons is over confidence and bad tires.I haven't driven with winter tires. But I've never had much in the way of control problems driving in the winter. Obviously I can't corner, and do the things I'm doing in the summer. But the inconvenience of being a bit less aggressive, far outways having to go change my tires every 26 weeks. And of course most days, there isn't much to worry about at all, with the salt they put on the roads these days, a slippery road is quite rare.

Aggressively does mean to drive dangerously. All I meant was accellerating quickly, deaccelerating quickly, and taking turns at 30+km/hr.Fair comment.

The first snowfall I had I noticed a gigantic difference how the car could turn and start in the snow. The biggest critic for spending the extra money on rims and tires the wife was not complaining after the first snowfall either. Hassle? 1/2 hour to change them myself or crappy tire will change it back for $50 or less. IT IS worth the hassle. IT IS worth the money.It's not the cost I care about. It's the inconvenience. It's those days where you discover it's plus 15 degrees in January (let alone March and April) and you discover you have the wrong tires. And I used to say that I have no where to keep them ... though I do know, so I can't use that one.

If I was in a rural area, Ottawa, or Montreal ... or maybe even Newmarket, I'd consider them. But in Toronto - completly not necessary. I don't think we had more than 1 day last year that they were really necessary. And on that day, the traffic was so awful that it didn't matter what type of tires you had, you could only do about 3 km an hour (the March 1st snowstorm). Personally I took the subway home that day, worked great - but the horror stories from my colleagues was about the traffic, not their tires.

I can't argue that other places in Canada will make more use of winter tires and your comments are the same comments that I use to say.

There are many many times last year winter tires helped last year. There were a couple bigger storms and the side streets in Oakville were not cleared. Countless people stuck and couldn't clear the big mound to get onto main street.

IMO.......if you live or drive through smaller streets, drive between 10pm - 6am then winter tires WILL help you. Late nite driving and early morning driving can be KILLER.

Anyways........to each his own.

We already have a Winter tires thread and have had these discussions there. Please take the time to read it if you're interested in Winter Tires or discussing them further.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=32161

I believe the OP is not looking for winter tires.

Tire Rack (US) is an excellent resource (website) for shopping for the tires that will fit your vehicle. They have excellent comparison charts, etc.

There are many many times last year winter tires helped last year. There were a couple bigger storms and the side streets in Oakville were not cleared. I have to say, it seemed quite odd the number of times last winter, that it seemed sunny here, yet the traffic was full of reports of snow and closures in Oakville, Burlington, and Hamilton. Haven't noticed that in previous winters.

Again, thanks to all that responded, I appreciate your input.
I see valid points with both Q and nfitz. There were days in the past where I really wished I had winter tires. Then again, most of the days in the winter are OK to drive on good all seasons. The street I live on is being cleaned on time and I work near the airport so 90% of the time snow accumulation is not an issue.

I have checked tirerack and found them to be a great resource. The prices are amazing even when shipping and local installation is added (now that we have USD at par). For example Kumho ASX that cost $152 at TireTrend list at tirerack for $92 each plus $95 shipping for all four. Has anyone bought tires from tirerack and have them installed here?

Thanks again,

Milo

If you do drive into the US, buy and install them and leave your old tires there. Buy a t-shirt and come back home. Border askes if you bought anything, say the t-shirt...

I'm still hessitant on recommending Kuhmo, Sumotimo or Falcon's.

The Yoko Avid's are actually well rated, oddly considered a higher performance tire.

Look into the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Turanza+Serenity&partnum=25WR7TS&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&place=12

Also, look into the Nokian i3's: http://www.nokiantires.com/en/tire_i3.aspx?season=summer , but not much on them out there in terms of info. The members of tdi club are impressed...

Check Public Tire. Dufferin/Lawrence. Great prices. The guy on the phone is a bit crusty but it may be worth your time.

I work as a wholesaler and we work with Tire Depot. Many dealers we work with send them business on our suggestion and they've been very satisfied. After sales support is also top notch. For winter tires I would suggest either Michelin or Pirelli. There are several models so it's best to consult with your tire shop.

You want an all season tire that is amazing in the rain and snow? Get yourself a set of Michelin X One tires.

Tires are something I don't cheap out on. They're just as important as having good brakes, proper tire pressure, good suspension. 3000 lbs of car on four pieces of rubber....get the best rubber you can.