215/65 R16 seeking input on tire options

[PurpleT]

It is time to replace the tires on my 03 Camry I4/AT with 190K. Current tires are Cooper CS5 Grand Touring. Overall, I am pleased with how this tire performs, disappointed it has been discontinued, and would like to replace it something very similar. Current driving is a mix of city/highway. I normally get 50K out of a set of tires in this category. I live in KS so the tires must be reliable in all conditions. Areas of importance are ride quality with a preference for firm handling and lower road noise. Tires will be purchased at Walmart for ease of tire repairs/road hazard warranty if needed. I have read the reviews at Tire Rack for tires in this category and have also reviewed recent tire posts here on BITOG.

Looking for real world experiences with the following tires and how they compare to the Cooper CS5.
Open to other suggestions in the event I have overlooked a tire that falls within this category.







General Altimax RT45 - $132.00 Treadwear warranty 75K
Continental TrueContact Tour 54 - $158.00 (Currently $110 rebate) Treadwear warranty 80K
Falken Sincera SN250A/S - $122.00 Treadwear warranty 80K

 

[charbaby]

I realize that not all makes/models of tires come in every size.
Your 3 choices are great choices. But which is perfect for you?
And we can't pick your tire but we can help you in the right direction.
I liked my ol' Cooper CS5 too as well as my General RT43 but haven't had the RT45.

Have you seen the TireRack recent tire test of the tires you are looking for?
I think that an hours worth of video viewing is worth it over the next few days.
It may help with your decision. And TireRack did winter testing as well.
Each video is about 25 minutes each.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/continental-truecontact-tour-54
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/general-altimax-rt45

EDIT:
After reviewing these videos again myself,
your tire choices has me thinking that you've already seen these videos.
If so, good job. If not, you've made some good choices.

Just based on your 3 tire choices and only the 3
1) Considering the price and testing results, your choice in the Falken Sincera SN250A/S has the best mix of performance scoring & cost.
2) Otherwise, the Continental TrueContact Tour 54 are the top choice though more expensive.
3) The RT45 are a good tire and a good price but the others are better.

 

[skyactiv]

I'd get the Conti's.

 

[Boomer]

+2 on the Continentals.

 

[goofy]

Continental

 

[Passport1]

Had a set of Cooper CS5's on my Mitsubishi. It was a good tire but the mileage was disappointing. Purchased at Discount Tire so I had them properly rotated several times. Went back and DT prorated them and sold me a new set of Cooper Endeavor Plus at about half retail price. They are very good, even better than the CS5. There was also a Cooper rebate at the time so they were a great buy. Liked them enough that I put a set on my Ford Edge too.

Have a set of Continental ProContact Tx also on my Suzuki. Good tires if you get a set with a rebate.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

If snow/winter performance is important, consider all-weather tires

The Nokian Nordman Solstice 4 is on sale $109 at Walmart. Warranty is 50k.

 

[Kira]

I'm on 4 Cooper CS5 now and like 'em.
I'd get the Continentals as well.

 

[duck__dodgers]

all 3 are close

TrueContact cuz of the rebate. The "D" "W" "S" wear bar indicators are the icing on the cake.

don't get too obssessed with the TireRack reviews. The reviews are useful, but we don't know if TireRack has an incentive to be lenient on certain brands. Cuz I imagime TR/Discount Tire get incentives from manufacturers too.

 

[Capt W]

I had a set of Cooper CS5 Grand Touring on my 2005 Caravan between 2018 and 2024. Loved them, they were excellent in the wet, and they wore like iron. Finally replaced them after about 6-1/2 years and 66,899 miles. UTQG on those tires was 700AA with 70K-mile warranty, and they certainly lived up to that standard.

When the time came for replacement, I switched to the Armstrong Blu-Trac, ordered through Wal-Mart online. I like these tires so much, I've had them installed on three other vehicles since early 2024. In the course of my research and experience, the Armstrong tires' price/value relationship is almost impossible to beat.

For your vehicle, the Blu-Trac P215/65R16 cost $71.33 each. The UTQG is 700AA, and they ostensibly carry an 85K-mile warranty. A full set is therefore under $300.00, and if you're a Walmart+ member the mounting and balancing (with road hazard coverage) is $72.00.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Armstron...Tire/137638574?classType=REGULAR&from=/search

For those over 50, the Armstrong brand (with its Rhino mascot) was a staple in the US for many years. You'd see their signs and ads everywhere in the 70s and 80s. They are now based in Miami, with most of their tires made in Thailand. I'm not particularly thrilled with that, but again, the price-value is about the best there is.

For an older grocery-getter, these would be ideal for you...and easy on the pocketbook.

A good alternative would be the Goodyear Reliant from Wal-Mart. These are a 600AA tire with a 65K-mile warranty. At $78.00 each, they are a few bucks more than the Armstrong and are made in Ohio. I'd still opt for the Armstrongs in this comparison, though, as their ratings are better and my experience with these tires has been extremely positive.

Interesting to me is that nobody here has discussed any of the above-mentioned tires' UTQG ratings, and only a few have mentioned price. While these variables aren't the be-all/end-all, UTQG should be a key consideration for any tire buyer.

 

[barkingspider]

Of the 3, I would get the Continentals. Personally, I would get Pirelli P4 or Yokohama Avis touring

 

[Capt W]

Here are the UTQGs and warranties for the tires mentioned above:

General Altimax RT45: 700AA, 65K-mile
Continental True Contact Tour: 800AB, 80K-mile (notice "B" temperature rating)
Falken Sincera: 720AB, 80K-mile (also B-rated for temperature)

Nokian Nordman Solstice: 500AA, 50K-mile


Do the math on price versus ratings and warranty. Armstrong is the deal of the century in your case, with the Goodyear Reliant a close second.

 

[walterjay]

In Texas heat I would go for an A temp tire. I don't know anything about Armstrong but seems like the Goodyears may be decent.

 

[Astro_Guy]

I've had good luck with the Continentals on several vehicles and enjoyed joking with my aged MIL the DWS stood for "Dancing With the Stars."

 

[charbaby]

I’m not against buying the TrueContact TOUR 54, buy what you want/need. But look at it this way!
The money you’ll save on the Falken tires compared to the Continental tires will easily pay for your mounting & balancing and taxes on your 21-22 year old Camry. I mean, how much longer can the Camry last in salty winters.

 

[MCompact]

I’d go with the Contis.

 

[AutoMechanic]

Out of those picks definitely Continental. On our 2004 Camry we have always ran Michelin Defender, Pirelli P4 or Uniroyal Tiger Paw all of which were and are fantastic. Currently it has the Tiger Paw tires on it which are amazing tires and actually don’t do bad in the heavy rain or snow.

 

[PurpleT]

Thank you to those who took time to respond. Finally have time to sort through the information and select a set of tires. Tough to make an apples to apples comparision these days. The reccommendations/input is appreciated.

 

[FZ1]

It is time to replace the tires on my 03 Camry I4/AT with 190K. Current tires are Cooper CS5 Grand Touring. Overall, I am pleased with how this tire performs, disappointed it has been discontinued, and would like to replace it something very similar. Current driving is a mix of city/highway. I normally get 50K out of a set of tires in this category. I live in KS so the tires must be reliable in all conditions. Areas of importance are ride quality with a preference for firm handling and lower road noise. Tires will be purchased at Walmart for ease of tire repairs/road hazard warranty if needed. I have read the reviews at Tire Rack for tires in this category and have also reviewed recent tire posts here on BITOG.

Looking for real world experiences with the following tires and how they compare to the Cooper CS5.
Open to other suggestions in the event I have overlooked a tire that falls within this category.







General Altimax RT45 - $132.00 Treadwear warranty 75K
Continental TrueContact Tour 54 - $158.00 (Currently $110 rebate) Treadwear warranty 80K
Falken Sincera SN250A/S - $122.00 Treadwear warranty 80K

I would pick the continentals with the $110 bucks back.

 

[skaughtz]

Continental makes a great tire. Period. If you are willing to spend the money for them you will get a quality tire in every aspect.

Last month I put a set of four Armstrong Blu-Trac PC all season tires on my 2007 Camry (215/60R16). I paid $252 before mounting and balancing. The jury is still out on how they handle in the snow because we have not gotten any yet, but otherwise I do not have a single negative thing to say about them. They are rated for 85k miles and reviews that I have seen support the idea despite the low price. If my Civic needed new tires right now they would be the only option that I would consider.