I am looking for a set of tires for my girl friend's Hyundai Elantra size 195 X 60 X 15. Firestone quoted her 50 dollars per tire for Primewells. I have never heard of this brand so I did some digging on line. I do not like the reviews of these tires with many saying they have had problem with them as well as a short life span. I do not mind spending a few more dollars per tire (about $65) for a bit more peace of mind. What will you recommend for an Elantra in Florida?
Put Primewells on her car (2005 Suzuki Verona) at 40,000 miles, to replace OEM Kumhos.
Started replacing them at 85,000 miles or so (long story, couldn't fork over for a full set at once.)
Ride: 8+ (a bit smoother than I like.)
Service: 10 (America's Tire Store. They know me there - the crew changes, but the same manager. He remembers the time someone tried to use a buzz wrench on my lugs, against mine - and by extension, his - express and specific instruction to not do so. I threw a loose tyre at the guy, and knocked him flat from 30 feet away...)
Price: 6-7 (for a "house brand," they seemed a bit spendy - but that Verona does take a weird size.)
Life: 7+ (I'd like to have gotten better than 50Kmiles out of them, but 45Kmiles wasn't bad, honestly. For the money, I'd like to have gotten a bit more.)
Handling: 8+ (Nice "stiction" to road surface, predictable when it rains in California for the first time of the season and all the oil comes up.) I do a lot of high-speed ramps...
Traction: 7+ (They do slip a bit on painted surfaces in the rain - when I have noted that other tyres do not. So, they lose a point or so here - else I'd robably have given them a firm 9.)
Overall? I'd say an 8+, maybe trending into a firm 9. I'm a LONGtime BFG fan - but the Primewells weren't bad for when I couldn't afford BFGs. A fella could do worse.
(
Nota Bene: I'm rough, nasty, and downright MEAN on tyres. I tend to push things to somewhat well past what the engineers intended, then maybe a bit more. I'm the sort of guy that likes to know if that "140mph" on the speedo is BS or useful, and I don't like doing it just in straight lines. I take freeway interchange ramps at 90+ in a 20+-year-old truck with a lift and off-road tyres. When I'm testing something, I wring it out
good! I feel I can honestly say I'm reasonably happy with the Primewells - although I tend to take reviews with a grain of salt. Being familiar with the ideas of SPC, I know it's possible to have a few "box fails" get out, to mask the good tyres. And, knowing psychology as I do, people are more likely to be found
kvetching than they are
kvelling...)
