SA4 All Season

[johnsmellsalot]

Are the SA4 tires from Discount Tire any good? I'm considering them because they are cheap and they are the only tires with the OEM speed ratings (S). I don't care about handling.

Currently, I have the Michelin Destiny tires (speed rating T). My car is a 1999 Buick Century. The size is 205/70/R15. I keep them at the recommended pressures (30 PSI). I check them in the morning when the sun isn't shining on them.

I really like the Michelin Destinys. They have a really smooth, quiet ride. They still have 8/32" of tread. They are the first set of tires I've ever purchased. I'm 19. I probably might get them again when they wear out.

 

[sciphi]

How come you're wanting to replace the current tires on your Buick? If yours have most of their tread and aren't suffering from dry-rot, I'd wear them out.

Also, speed rating doesn't mean a heck of a lot until you're driving far faster than that Century is capable of achieving, or hot-lapping it around a racetrack.

 

[229]

The SA4 is not nearly as good as what you are running now.

 

[chad8]

Sa4 tires are made by the kelly tire division of goodyear.
I never liked kelly's and have had 2 former discount tire employees tell me that the reason they pushed kelly so much was the profit margin and some times a little promotional bonus.
I believe that kelly uses Belle tire as its main marketeer currently so they have discount push the sa4 brand as not to compete with another local retailer.
Personally , I would avoid both.
Michelin, continental, pirelli , hankook , seem to be tops right now.
toyo, uniroyal, goodrich, kelly , goodyear (with exceptions) , firestone/brigstone , and most of the china brands are a notch lower.
I am running uniroyals, michelins, hankook, firestones , goodyears and cooper dean tires right now on 6 cars and trucks so I have no real brand loyalty. I just do a lot of reading.

 

[johnsmellsalot]

I don't plan on replacing the tires anytime soon. They have a 80,000 mile warrenty. I was just wondering about the SA4 tires because I've been noticing them on alot of cars lately. Lower speed ratings have a smoother ride but less handling.
Originally Posted By: sciphi
How come you're wanting to replace the current tires on your Buick? If yours have most of their tread and aren't suffering from dry-rot, I'd wear them out.

Also, speed rating doesn't mean a heck of a lot until you're driving far faster than that Century is capable of achieving, or hot-lapping it around a racetrack.

 

[sciphi]

Ahh. Likely they're one step up from bargain-basement quality. They're probably black, round, hold air, don't blow out over a pothole, and will last for 30-40k miles before needing replacement again. Likely they sacrifice rain and winter traction to be cheap.

That's my opinion, which is informed by having experienced cheap tires on several cars in NY winters.