Topic: 2005 Forester: AVID ENVigor?

[awebber]

Earlier this week, we went to a local tire place to get the winter wheels taken off and the summers put on (they were stored there).

They pulled the summer wheels out and announced they were unusable. Why they chose to store unusable tires I don't know, perhaps they sell more tires that way (though I'm attributing to malice what can be explained by incompetence). They've agreed to store for free over the summer to compensate.

Anyway, they recommended Yokohama AVID ENVigor 215/60/16. Price is $146@ ($584 for 4) after a $15 rebate and including installation. We decided to research first (and this week's weather validated that and the tire seems well reviewed (mostly on TireRack.com which has the most reviews, though strangely the sales link says "N/A" for average reviewer rating).

I assume they're offering the cheapest of the H/V/W choices in this tire. Tire Rack's price is $87 (for the H) plus $48 shipping to Plattsburgh or Ogdensburg NY. That's $396 delivered to the border.

I figure sales taxes, new-tire taxes, disposal fees, etc., are extra (and the same) in both cases, and mounting/balancing/valves/etc. would be about $20@ if I go through TireRack (so $476 vs. $584). That's still $108 or 23% more expensive but there's a convenience factor (both of not driving over the border and of not carrying the tires around) and I don't have to worry about warranties (which I would if I buy from TR).

I have two questions, first is whether this is a good 3-season tire for an 05 Forester, and secondly whether I'm missing anything in my logic of TR vs. local. Neither 1010 or TT lists this tire.

Thanks!
=aw

[Nathan@1010tires]

This tire is now up on our site, as of a day or two ago. It is brand new so you will not find much on it. I highly doubt it is a far departure from the previous model H4s (and H4 before that). Most likely just your typical slight change in compound and tread design but overall quite similar.

Their price is decent actually, I could get them down a bit from the website probably but shipping will put it back to your local price.

http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?tirebrand=Yokohama&tiremodel=AVID+ENVigor

[awebber]

Thanks Nathan, I'm sure those tires weren't there two days ago!

I think I'll go with the local dealer due to the convenience factor (which is the unsubstantiated malice to which I referred).

=aw

[awebber]

So having said all that, is this tire a good match for the car? I do probably 80% highway 20% city and the only aggressiveness comes from it being an XT.

TR has 26 reviews of the H&V, 5 of the W. Why that's not enough for an average rating I don't know, but I can see they're well received [actually I see now that the 26 reviews have an average of 9.25, maybe the "not enough" is specifically the 215/60/16 size? I dunno].

One could go crazy trying to pick a tire out of the hundreds available. Am I wrong just to go with this one?

Thanks!
=aw

[Nathan@1010tires]

So having said all that, is this tire a good match for the car? I do probably 80% highway 20% city and the only aggressiveness comes from it being an XT.

TR has 26 reviews of the H&V, 5 of the W. Why that's not enough for an average rating I don't know, but I can see they're well received [actually I see now that the 26 reviews have an average of 9.25, maybe the "not enough" is specifically the 215/60/16 size? I dunno].

One could go crazy trying to pick a tire out of the hundreds available. Am I wrong just to go with this one?

Thanks!
=aw

I wouldn't hesitate on it, the old version was a solid tire (I actually have them on my car now as I had to take the 19" wheels back off since the lease is almost over) and I wouldn't expect anything substantially different from the new one. I would expect around 70k or so depending on how you drive, but not being real aggressive and with a lot of highway driving you will get good mileage out of them assuming you maintain them. Yokohama quality is generally very good.

[awebber]

Thanks Nathan, we decided to go with them. I appreciate your comments.

We decided not to take the Road Hazard coverage, since it only worked if the tire was irreparably damaged, and if one gets (say) a bolt in it (actually happened to me, they literally had to unscrew it to get it out of the flat tire), I'll need to buy 4 (but they'll only pay for the one with the hole, and only pro-rated).

Was that a wise decision? I usually don't go for extended warranties but this was tempting until we got through all the conditions. Or is the Road Hazard warranty something people tend to take? It was something like $8.50/tire.

Thanks!

=aw

[Nathan@1010tires]

Well, that's subjective really. You take a small risk without it, but it's small. Most punctures can be repaired. They wouldn't be selling it if they weren't making money on it, so on average they win if you buy it.

[awebber]

One last question, there's a note on the receipt, "Please return in 200km to re-torque wheel nuts" which I understand is a good idea.

Unfortunately my choice is to return after ~100km (maybe a little less) or ~600km, as I need to take a trip tomorrow morning.

Which is preferable? Or is it so important to be at 200km that I should borrow another car for the trip? (That would not be convenient). For me, the 600km is more convenient, if either one is reasonable.

Thanks!
=aw

[awebber]

The rebate is (from www.yokohamarebate.ca):

To claim your prepaid rebate card

Is this like a prepaid MasterCard? Or something else?

Thanks!
=aw

[toolatecrew]

One last question, there's a note on the receipt, "Please return in 200km to re-torque wheel nuts" which I understand is a good idea.

Unfortunately my choice is to return after ~100km (maybe a little less) or ~600km, as I need to take a trip tomorrow morning.

Which is preferable? Or is it so important to be at 200km that I should borrow another car for the trip? (That would not be convenient). For me, the 600km is more convenient, if either one is reasonable.

Thanks!
=aw

After 100km for sure.

My tire place recommends after 80 KM! I went back after about 100 and the lugs on one wheel have loosened notably (the other 3 were spot on)

You don't want to be taking a 600km trip without checking this first. Its a 2 minute check so get it done after 100 and then get it done again when you come back from your trip just to be safe.

[awebber]

Thanks, I used a different vehicle for the 500km trip and had the new install checked at almost exactly 200km. Guy just came out with a torque wrench (I assume) and checked them in the parking lot. He didn't check the locking nut on each wheel, does that matter? I thought perhaps they don't come loose in the same way.

Thanks again everyone for the advice, the tires are nice though it's hard to telling having just come off winter tires.

=aw