which new tire to buy

2002 windstar SE need to replace tires old ones dry rot ,which ones should i use NYC area some snow driving (very little) 215/65R16

Hi
I have never been disappointed with a set of Michelins. I have bought them at either Sam's or Costco. More recently I have gone to BFGoodrich from Sams since I did not want to put a set of Michelins on a high mileage vehicle, or my Son's college car. They are working out well.

Now I work for GOOD YEAR.. But not trying to sell you on them but GoodYear makes a Assurance line that has triple tread. And is good in snow and ice.Good tread wear as well. So far we had great reviews 4 ans 5 star ratings. I plan to get a set myself.

I have a 2001 Windstar SE that I just put tires on. Typically, I would go with BF Goodrich, because I find them to be overall a great value. Sam's did not have Goodrich in my size. (needed tires immediately as my wife somehow managed to put a 4 in bolt through the sidewall. Fortunately tires needed replacement anyway). They had either Goodyear or Michelin. I just never got good wear from Goodyear tires. The Michelin X radials were $92 each, which wasn't bad so I went with them. I like them very much so far. Nice riding, quiet, good wet/dry traction. I looked up reviews and people love Michelin X radials. I have heard good things about the Goodyear triple tread. That wasn't a choice however.

I agree... you can never go wrong with Michelin tires, BF Goodrich would be my second choice. But whatever you do stay away from their Tiger Paw line of tires. I bought a set for my car and got nothing but trouble, thankfully I got'em at BJ's Wholesale Club and they too care of all issues free of charge.

My 2000LX came with brand new Firestones (forgot model) and so far so good. They give a good ride overall even tho they're a little hard for my taste. Can not comment on performance in ice snow since I don't get any in my area. But we get tons of rain and that's what they do best... water displacement, I'm really impressed how well they channel water in deep puddles at high speed.

My Winnie is on its second set of Michelin Hydro-Edges ... found sales at Sam's and Costco when they were needed. Got over 100k miles out of first set. That drives the cost per mile to the cellar.

The tires have good road grip ... but the Winnie is still not much in snow.

You really can't go wrong with any name brand, higher dollar tire. I'm on the second set of Coopers for my Windstar. The first were Trendsetters. Got ~40Kmi of reliable service out of them. Swapped them out before they were done. Just got a full set of Cooper Lifeliners. IIRC, they were around $70/ea. installed.

Joel

Well you cant go wrong with Michelins. they are awsome tires, but you pay for it!!! Also it seems most Michelins are more of a summer tire. Probably not best for our winter driving in the northeast. I work at a car dealer and we have used a lot of the new Goodyear Assurances that garync1 was talking about. Have had good luck with them, and they seem to be a good mid range tire. Also have had good luck with the BFG Traction T/A line. Not sure if they come in your size, but they have been a good all around tire.

But whatever you do stay away from their Tiger Paw line of tires.
Oh, why not? I have the Tiger Paws on my 1995. I don't have any particular like or dislike of them, but I have to confess that apart from the really cheap $20 plastic tires I've had in the past, a tire pretty much seems like a tire to me, generally speaking. This applies especially to the Windstar, which is hardly a sports car!

I have Michelin Harmony on my '96 Windstar.
I have been very happy with them on dry, wet, as well as the Ice and snow that we get here in Wisconsin.
Very resistant to hydroplaning in standing water as well.
Also quiet on dry roads.

This is not to say that they are a substitute for slowing down in poor conditions!!!!

They have also held up really well.

I have been running them for 3 to 4 years now.

OK just bought michelin X radial DT 215/65r16 from costco $371.16 installed

will see how they ride.

thank you for all the response
frank

Oh, why not? I have the Tiger Paws on my 1995. I don't have any particular like or dislike of them, but I have to confess that apart from the really cheap $20 plastic tires I've had in the past, a tire pretty much seems like a tire to me, generally speaking. This applies especially to the Windstar, which is hardly a sports car!

Ditto that. I have used, and sold a HECK of a lot of them over the years. OK, not top of the line, but a good cheap every day type of tire. Not a real high milage one, but have given good service during there life.

depends on what type of tire you want. High miles more road noise. Low road noise,less miles... But there are many in between.. Just finding one that makes you happy.. Priceless... Well not really... LOL..

Having purchased several sets of Cooper tires over the years, I checked with them recently when I was needing tires for my 1999 LX. I found that they have a new series of tires called CS4, and the ones for my van (215/75-15's) are rated at 780/A/A!! Not many beat those numbers. I got mine for $95 each installed. I have somewhere around 1000 miles on them now and I like them a lot. They are listed as an 80,000 mile tire.
Brand names don't mean much to me in some cases. When it comes to tires, learn what the ratings mean. I like to save money where possible, but if you'd like to spend $125+ per tire for a Michelin that is anywhere close to a 780/A/A rating, have at it. I have had GREAT service from all of the Cooper tires I've had. Can't say the same for some others.

Having purchased several sets of Cooper tires over the years, I checked with them recently when I was needing tires for my 1999 LX. I found that they have a new series of tires called CS4, and the ones for my van (215/75-15's) are rated at 780/A/A!! Not many beat those numbers. I got mine for $95 each installed. I have somewhere around 1000 miles on them now and I like them a lot. They are listed as an 80,000 mile tire.
Brand names don't mean much to me in some cases. When it comes to tires, learn what the ratings mean. I like to save money where possible, but if you'd like to spend $125+ per tire for a Michelin that is anywhere close to a 780/A/A rating, have at it. I have had GREAT service from all of the Cooper tires I've had. Can't say the same for some others.
You are right a tire is a tire as far as the wear,temp,traction ratings all tires are the same. Some tread patterns tend to have more road noise than others though. When you work for a company that makes them you tend to learn more. Goodyear also makes Dunlop,Kelly Springfield,Winston,Douglas,Pathfinders,and others as well..I run Douglas from Wal-Mart on my Windstar now. They are ok but you only get 40,000 on them but cheaper.. Goodyear uses a different compound than the other we make though.. If any one is running the Assurance brand let me know what you think of them.. As for the GY Integrity they are on the Freestar I have and they are ok.. Not the best..

Ok just got new tires for my Windstar last week. Finally Goodyear factory I work at and the new owners of my local Goodyear store reached an agreement on employee discounts.. so 317.00 bucks plus 40.00 buck mail in rebate made the tires come too 277.00 on my Assurance comfort tread tires.. So far these tires ride like a dream..Very quiet ride. A little hint of road noise at speeds over 70 mph on interstate. Had to keep it short do to trans issues but trans did not leak like before.. But over all I really like this tire. 80,000 mile pro rated warranty. I will updated later about this tire but over all I like them right now.. But as for road noise most tires at high speed will give you road noise.But around town these tires are silent..So far a great tire.. The other type of Assurance brand is for all weather and they do great on snow and ice.. Triple tread type.. They run about 80-100 bucks a tire in my area..

2002 wind star SE need to replace tires old :popcorn: 215/65/R16

I think Windstars come in sizes:
205/70/15
215/70/15
225/60/16

My windstar rides on 235/55/17 Kumho tires I caught on sale at Tire Rack with a set of 17" Moda wheels.
The van handles much better than original and the comfort remains the same, I also like to keep my tire pressure at 38 rather than 35 psi. Because it handles the potholes better and saves me gas down the line, also due to the lighter wheels the steering and braking has improved as well. Recently I installed a set of KYB Gr-2 Shocks and Struts I got from[url="http://www.shockwarehouse.com/";] for $180 at 55,000 miles and the vehicle rides even better now.

well so far the vans rides nice with new tires michelin X radial DT 215/65r16

gary - thanks for the info and opinions. it's useful for someone like me that's totally ign'unt about tires!