Tire brand: price vs quality

[czgunner]

Sitting here at discount tire waiting for them to put some new Coopers on my wife's Rav4.
When I called they kept recommending their house brand. To the point of getting irritated by me asking for a brand I've actually heard of. They assured me their HOUSE BRAND tire is made by whoever, but it seems like the quality would be less, just like the price. I'm sure they are on a bonus program, but it got me to thinking: is there an assumed level of quality at a certain price? My only focus is on a standard tire, not a specialty off road tire. I know like so many things in life you get what you pay for. Thoughts?

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[Ripper238]

I have been paying $200+ per tire for years (Car, Truck...) Always have been happy at that price. I did a ton of research too, but its unlikely you will get a terrible tire at $200+.

 

[truc.karl]

When it comes to tires, don't cheap out.

 

[enginelover]

When it comes to tires, don't cheap out.

My opinion (and it's just an opinion so take it for what you paid me for it), is that you would have to try hard to find a bad tire and even if you did find one, there was nothing on the spec you could have seen that would have told you that.

So I buy tires by the numbers.
a. It has to fit the size spec
b. It has to fit the load range spec
c. It has to fit the speed rating spec

And that's about it other than I don't buy ever a tire worse than A in UTQG traction, where for a 4-runner it won't matter all that much if the temperature range is B (but I strive for A) and I don't see much value in the treadwear qualifier other than to break a tie.

Usually there isn't a tie because the only other concern is price.
I buy the cheapest tire that meets or exceeds the OEM spec.

That's easy because I buy them online and have them shipped to my house.
And I mount and (static) balance them myself (dynamic balance testing is free or $5).

I know a LOT of people don't have the same KISS philosophy.
I know a LOT of people think the more you pay the more you get.
(Try that logic when you get divorced but don't try that logic on me.)

I buy by iron clad rules of specs that are printed on the tire.
If it's not printed on the tire, I don't necessarily believe it.
(I might not even believe what's printed on the tire - but certainly I am not likely to believe anything a tire salesman is trying to ram down my throat).

As always, YMMV.

 

[GarySp]

I like to get tires that are somewhat common. If I get a cut tire while they are fairly new I want t get a replacement tire of the same brand/model quickly whether I'm near home or out of state traveling.