New tires tomorrow - 2002 Saturn L200

[[email protected]]

My 2002 Saturn L200 needs new tires. Tomorrow I plan on going to the Firestone store b/c I have a Firestone credit card (6 months same as cash plus 5% off for using the card!).

They have Affinity Touring's on sale, B3G1 free. Out the door, it comes to $340 installed, taxed, and disposed.

Is that a good price for four 195/65/15's? What is the consensus on the Affinitys?

 

[beast3300]

I don't like the new Affinity Tourings. They always look flat and ride like soggy cereal.

 

[dsmdriver2588]

did u take a look at tire rack DOT com?

 

[HWEaton]

I don't care what they say, that is not B3G1 free. What is th total price per tire w/o tax, how much is tax in your area, etc. Break it down for me.

 

[The Critic]

I just got an email from Firestone for employee pricing on all tires until 1/31, if you got the e-mail.

I would consider a set of Potenza RE960AS or Turanza Serenity in your size.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Consider 205/60-15. Better ride, traction and treadlife. Worth an extra $5 or so.

Here's a new tires, Firestone Precision Sport $66

HR rated 400 wear

205/60-15

 

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted By: dsmdriver2588
did u take a look at tire rack DOT com?


Yeah, Im a tirerack junky. The reviews were poor. But it looks like around a certain time, the reviews started looking good, like maybe Firestone changed the formulation of the tire or something?

Originally Posted By: beast3300
I don't like the new Affinity Tourings. They always look flat and ride like soggy cereal.


And that is the feedback Im looking for!!!


Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Consider 205/60-15. Better ride, traction and treadlife. Worth an extra $5 or so.

Here's a new tires, Firestone Precision Sport $66

HR rated 400 wear

205/60-15


Ok so my car currently has 195/65/15's. Whats the difference if I put on 205/60/15's? Is that a wider tire with less circumference? Or vice versa?
The tire looks good, sans the treadwear. 400?! What are we, in the stone ages? lol

 

[97tbird]

yeah it's wider with a smaller profile. overall diameter about the same, probably. your OEM wheels should be able to wear them, albeit with a bit of bulging of the SW...perhaps none.

Did you look at General Altimax HP from Tire Rack?

 

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted By: 97tbird
yeah it's wider with a smaller profile. overall diameter about the same, probably. your OEM wheels should be able to wear them, albeit with a bit of bulging of the SW...perhaps none.

Did you look at General Altimax HP from Tire Rack?


The different size tires wouldnt make my speedometer be off would it?

I did look at all of the tires at tirerack, but it has to be put on my Firestone credit card (the only credit card I have) They are offering 6 months same as cash, 5% off total purchase.

 

[mpvue]

check if the card only works on firestone tires; it might be good on any tires.
FWIW, the OEM affinity's on the L series were absolute junk. I had a '02 L200 and it used to hydroplane like crazy in the rain, and by 19K miles they were done. snow traction was non-existent.
IIRC, when I tried to get coverage on the treadwear warranty, Saturn told me to go to firestone; firestone told me OEM tires had a lower treadwear warranty than aftermarket. that tells me they made an inferior tire just for saturn.
BTW, 205/65 15 was the optional size w/ the sport pkg. it's about 1/2" taller. I would recommend that size.

 

[Audi Junkie]

I'd get Fuzions if you need Firestone and want a good price. Otherwise, just call and see if the have the ones I mentioned. Negotiate with them! Improve the size too. 205/60 is the upgraded size from 195/65 going from a Passat to Audi A4, for instance...same car.

 

[Audi Junkie]

205/60 is the same dia as 195/65 anyway, just meatier.

Most speedos run a hair high, a bigger tire will bring it back to more accuracy. We are talking single mphs here, not some monster truck tires. That whole speedo thing is way overstated.

 

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted By: mpvue
check if the card only works on firestone tires; it might be good on any tires.
FWIW, the OEM affinity's on the L series were absolute junk. I had a '02 L200 and it used to hydroplane like crazy in the rain, and by 19K miles they were done. snow traction was non-existent.
IIRC, when I tried to get coverage on the treadwear warranty, Saturn told me to go to firestone; firestone told me OEM tires had a lower treadwear warranty than aftermarket. that tells me they made an inferior tire just for saturn.
BTW, 205/65 15 was the optional size w/ the sport pkg. it's about 1/2" taller. I would recommend that size.


The firestone card is good for any tires/services at a Firestone store. So I could buy Bridgestone if I wanted.

 

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
I'd get Fuzions if you need Firestone and want a good price. Otherwise, just call and see if the have the ones I mentioned. Negotiate with them! Improve the size too. 205/60 is the upgraded size from 195/65 going from a Passat to Audi A4, for instance...same car.


I couldnt find 'Fuzions' on their website

I will definitely get the 205/60's over the 195/65's. Sounds like a good plan to me.

 

[[email protected]]

Ok so heres how it went down...

I called the tire store earlier about the 205/60/15's.. they only had Potenza Grid or something or others, it would be $110 more total (not a big deal to me at all!). The Potenzas only had a 40,000 mile warranty.

I got there at 5pm. Talked to the guy, hes sold me 2 other sets of tires already (Destination AT's for the Envoy & Affinity Tourings for our L300). He pulled up the computer screen and showed me there were 2 different types of Affinity Tourings - an old style (he said those were the bad ones that everybody gives bad reviews on tirerack about) and the new ones, which he said were of a totally different chemical make up and are warranteed for 70,000 miles (vs. NO mileage warranty for the factory installed affinities). He said I can bring the tires back any time w/in 30 days, for a different set of tires no questions asked.

It was the fastest tire install ever!! 30 minutes (there were 3-4 other people waiting too). The car is so much quieter and smoother now, definitely notice the different over bumps. Before it was kind of harsh now its not so bad.

Hope I didnt make a mistake and that the guy wasnt [censored]'ing me that these are a new design of the Affinity Tourings.....

 

[BGK]

I wouldn't be surprised this tire is related to the Bridgestone Pole Position 960 A/S. It also has a 400 rating and of course, Bridgestone makes Firestone. If they cost almost the same, I'd go with the Bridgestone. Costco has them.

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Consider 205/60-15. Better ride, traction and treadlife. Worth an extra $5 or so.

Here's a new tires, Firestone Precision Sport $66

HR rated 400 wear

205/60-15

 

[daves87rs]

I just noticed these come in my size..

 

[[email protected]]

So are my tires going to wear out to the wear indicators by the time I reach the end of my street? Is "affinity touring" some code name for overpriced tires made from the same material as pencil erasers?!?!?

Somebody please help subside my 'tire anxiety' so I can get some sleep here!! lol

 

[Audi Junkie]

More wear = less grip and vice-versa.

The improved ride over bumps is very noticeable when upsizing.

I went from 215/65-16 to 225/65-16, a bigger tire, on the Tiguan and it's SO much better. Wear should be better too, over a 195.

See, 65 series to 60 series is a different type of tire, sportier, H rating and lower wear...more grip. That's why you saw different models than the original ones. The G-019 is good, I'm sure yours are decent too. Going up from the [censored] 65 series models of tires is a big plus in itself, plus the other advantages.

 

[W115nut]

Saturn has very little sound proofing so a quiet tire makes a big difference. I have Michelin X Radial installed about two and half years ago at Sam's. They are still quiet, and handle well, have low rolling resistance, good wet and no hydroplaning with my 2000 LS (no ABS/traction control). They are not as comfortable ride as my Pep Boys Futura 775 were. I wonder if your Firestone Affinity is perhaps more comfortable, which is also important. My 2000 has stiffer springs than the later years.

Where is the Affinity Touring made? For my Honda Civic, I bought Sears Bridgestone Weatherforce Plus made in Argentina and it is better especially (snow & ice) than the Michelin Radial X (made in Italy).

I have been rather lucky that neither developed sidewall hairline cracks yet, like my previous Firestone Affinity, BF Goodrich Traction T/A H, and Michelin Weatherwise Sport (UK).

W115nut

Originally Posted By: [email protected]
Ok so heres how it went down...


It was the fastest tire install ever!! 30 minutes (there were 3-4 other people waiting too). The car is so much quieter and smoother now, definitely notice the different over bumps. Before it was kind of harsh now its not so bad.

Hope I didnt make a mistake and that the guy wasnt [censored]'ing me that these are a new design of the Affinity Tourings.....