[Kjbatl]

Originally Posted by ccrider

Need new tires for my Camry. Probably looking at a $600-$800 puchase. Heard lots of do's and don'ts concerning tire sales; who is good to deal with and who to stay away from sales. Appreciate hearing of experiences with local tire dealers

I purchased a set of new tires for my truck in the past two weeks. I checked prices with Discount Tire in Ocala, WalMart, Costco, Sumter Tire and dealerships. They were all about the same or would match prices on the tire itself. Discount was the best overall price once I factored in all the cost including road hazard warranty. Also, Discount tire gave a 10% discount to veterans where others had no discount or was a lower amount. On $880 of tires, the $88 discount was significant. The mounting, balancing and road hazard were on top of the tire price. You can set an appointment online so you know when they will do the tires or you can call or drop in. I called to confirm they had the tires, then drove in to get them done without an appointment. They gave me an estimated time they expected they could take my truck in to do the work(5pm). It was 3 pm they offered I could take the vehicle and come back when it was closer to the time they were going to be ready to start or leave it with them. We chose to leave it and walked over to a coffee shop and take care of a couple errands. Very easy process and happy with the service from Discount. My son also put tires on his vehicle at the location in Clermont and was also happy with their work. He has used them multiple times over the years and always happy with their work.

[J1ceasar]

As you can see from many of the comments , at least half a dozen good places. The trick is the shop around and understand which tires you actually want. In Florida we have lots of heavy rain during the year that you understand obviously and you should consider not only the price but the wet traction ratings, as well as road noise and comfort. Personally I don't care about the mileage guarantee because if you understand about the Sun and you leave your car out a lot tires can rot in three to four years leaving you with a 90,000 mile guarantee but a 3-year need for replacement. That's why you'll see most of these with tire wheel covers. Just my two cents because so many people don't actually use a lot of mileage once they are in Florida you might be different of course but I think a really expensive tire with a long guarantee is wasted money. The other thing I would definitely tell you is not to get any tire that they can't tell you is made either in America Korea or Japan. There are tons of brands flooding the market that are Chinese made that are totally crap. Definitely do not look to save money on any of these off brands

[wirenail444]

I used Sam's. Good price and good service.

[EricN]

Sumter Tire in Wildwood on 301. Honest and fair.

[FenneyGuy]

I have used both Sumter Tire and Wildwood Tire. Sumter was careless with my car. Tech was wearing a dirty uniform and he simply used a floor jack supported by the dirt outside rather than putting the car on a hoist.

Wildwood Tire was superior by far. They covered my seat and floor with protective plastic and the tech's uniform was clean.

I won't use Sumter Tire again.

[RaggTopp17]

Discount Tire in Ocala, the matched
The Tire Rack on line.

[Mjsscotto]

Pep.Boys in Mulberry. Buy 3 get one free

[FromNY]

Buy a new car, get the tire plan with the purchase. You just improved the economy.
If not Costco or Wildwood are great choices. Stay away from construction sites.. Nails are highly attracted to tires.

[Dlbonivich]

Action Gator Tire on 466 was great when I needed tires for my Camry. Really nice service and reasonable. Call ahead so they can get the tires from their warehouse.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by MrFlorida

Wildwood tire. Or Sumter tire.

I agree and Boulevard Tire on 27/441 beat others on price and service but they don't make appointments anymore since the pandemic. That may have changed recently however. Talk to Marco.

Be careful with the add-ons, like Lifetime Balance and Rotation. It's NOT free! Get the price with tax and fees, "out-the-door".

Retailers have little room for price competition. If one has a "sale" on Michelins, they all do!

Skip

[Skip]

Originally Posted by Mjsscotto

Pep.Boys in Mulberry. Buy 3 get one free

Nothing is free!

Skip

[TedfromGA]

Costco pricing & service is outstanding - agree with previous replies. Well worth the membership fee or getting a member to go with you for purchase. Also gas is 40 to 50 cents cheaper - that alone will cover your cost to Lutz (55 miles) or Millenia mall near Orlando.

[skippy05]

Discount Tire 18465 US-441, Mt Dora, FL 32757 Fair prices, quick service and you can enjoy a small visit to Mt Dora which is not so far away.

[Joe C.]

Sumter Tire in Wildwood did a great job for me. Going with the cheapest price may not always be the best deal. Lots of tires being sold today come from China. Even some brand names do. So besides checking on price, ask where that specific tire for your car is made.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

You can't go wrong with a Goodyear store. I've bought a lot of tires over the years and have had the best luck with Goodyear, Michelin was second but you have to be sure you are comparing apples with apples as they change the names slightly when buying through other dealers like Firestone, etc. I never go over 5 years with tires no matter what the mileage is, I have had several sidewall blowouts with tires 5 or 6 years old and don't want to go through that anymore.

Re: changing names slightly
With larger sellers that is a common practice. They can claim exclusivity. Common in mattresses etc. Sears for example at one time their road handler tires were, or some of them were made by Michelin. Were they the same as Michelin tires-who knows.

Re: Sidewall blowouts
I had one years ago. They were Firestone tires, if, I recall the model number was 726 and they were recalled. They were defective tires.

Re: five or six year life
I think that is the current suggestion. Many people, not me, do not keep a car for 5-6 years. Confession, my tires are like 10 years old. We drive little, the car is garaged.
I am reading this thread because it is clearly time or past time to replace them.