For those who opted to replace their tires: would love your feedback

[Swordsmith]

I don't see any reason to keep the Hankooks. They are honestly that bad; I won't put them back on my wheels, I won't try to sell them to some poor sucker. I can see someone driving on them till they wear out, in order to save money, but if they're replacing them, getting half decent all weathers won't cost any more than the postage it would take to get my Hankooks, even if I tried giving them away.

 

[$ub$onic]

See, I never had a issue with the oem tires (15's)

There are better tires out there but It was not like. These are junk and need to get new ones ASAP.

They are not worn out and I am replacing them next year with Goodyear eagle gt.

But for what $64 I think a tire for my 15's. I would run them again if I had to.

 

[pounamu]

All righty, I've got an update.

I called several local tire stores, and unfortunately, the General Altimax HP is being discontinued. No one knows exactly what it's being replaced with, but they suspect it's General Altimax RT. But since these tires are so new, no one was able to give me adequate feedback about them. I tried finding Continental DWS and was told that they're not available in my size.

So, I asked for recommendations. At the first store, I was told that Firestone Precision Sport is a good tire for my needs, but after looking at the photo, I wasn't convinced. I called the same store again, got a different salesperson, and was told that the Firestones are a bit of a step up from the Hankooks, but not enough to justify the cost. They said I'd be better off just getting winter tires. They recommended Blizzaks.

I decided to call another store to see what they would say. The salesperson recommended 3 options for all weather tires: Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread (with a rebate, I'd be looking at about $630 for a set of 4 (quite a bit above my budget, frankly); Goodrich Advantage TA (they're about $109 per tire, so would end up $519 plus tax); and Yokohama Avid Ascend (these would run me $417 plus tax, but she honestly said that, while better than the Hankooks, they may not be as big a step up for winter as I might want). I decided to spend tonight looking at reviews and seeing what you guys think. Honestly, at this point, and based on the reviews I've seen, I'm leaning towards Goodridge Advantage TA. Many people comment on the great snow and wet weather traction, and the price is right. The Goodyears also get amazing reviews and frankly they're probably somewhat better in the snow, but the price is super steep, and I wonder how they perform in warm and dry weather.

PS, all quotes include free rotations and other maintenance / 30 day guarantee related stuff you usually get at places like Sullivan Tire.

 

[ahtoxa]

Goodyear assurance triple tread was my runner-up choice. You can't go wrong if you cannot find Altimax HPs locally and don't want to deal with ordering them from tirerack.com.

 

[pounamu]

Thank you! My only concern is that they are so, SO pricey...
I'm also looking into ordering the Altimax HP online, just need to confirm with my local mechanic that he agrees to accept them.
You guys are so great, I really appreciate all your help.

 

[Chrish051873]

i put the comfort tred on my sonic about a month ago, i got them at sams club, they were expensive as heck.

All in all i like the tire, smoothed the ride out slightly, bumps are still there, as they will always be there, but the joltiness(is that a word?) or the sharp and abrupt feeling of a bump is kinda smoothed out.

but as i said, they are a pricey tire, i think i walked out paying close to 900 after all said and done.

I will add to that and say, i did not like service i had, had to go back for a re-balance, and they said that they were very hard to balance.
I don't think that's my fault, but whatever, i still dont like the way they are balanced and may pay a "tire shop" to balance them for me.

 

[pounamu]

Thanks you Chris, this was interesting, because I've been angsting about those tires, but I just think they're too expensive.

I called my local (and highly recommended) mechanic and told him about wanting to order Altimax HP to be shipped to him. He said it's ok, but he did some research and said that, since the car is so small, it makes more sense to install winter tires. He said that the difference with the Altimax HP wouldn't be huge, in terms of the winter performance, from the current tire (he did agree that the Hankooks are at the bottom of his list). I totally get what he's saying, but, apart from not wanting to pay $100 twice a year to re-install the tires, I have nowhere to store a set of tires (I live in a city studio apartment). He also pointed out (and it made sense) that, since the HP model is being discontinued, I need to think about what I'd need to do if I blow a tire. He also said that between the Altimax HP and the BF Goodrich TA, I'm probably better off with the Altimax, when it comes to snow performance, because the BF Goodrich TA is a more sporty tire.

I appreciate his honesty, and in the perfect world, I'd go for a set of snow tires and a nice set of summers, but having nowhere to store them and not wanting that expense of installing them twice a year, I'll just have to stick to a good set of all weathers. Do you think it makes sense to order 5 Altimax HPs in case I "blow" one of them (especially since they're being discontinued)?

 

[ahtoxa]

, i think i walked out paying close to 900 after all said and done.

The hell? Install for all 4 is normally between $60-100. So you paid, what, just about $200 a tire? That's asinine. Tirerack has these for $109 each in the Sonic's size.

 

[Chrish051873]

Thanks you Chris, this was interesting, because I've been angsting about those tires, but I just think they're too expensive.

I called my local (and highly recommended) mechanic and told him about wanting to order Altimax HP to be shipped to him. He said it's ok, but he did some research and said that, since the car is so small, it makes more sense to install winter tires. He said that the difference with the Altimax HP wouldn't be huge, in terms of the winter performance, from the current tire (he did agree that the Hankooks are at the bottom of his list). I totally get what he's saying, but, apart from not wanting to pay $100 twice a year to re-install the tires, I have nowhere to store a set of tires (I live in a city studio apartment). He also pointed out (and it made sense) that, since the HP model is being discontinued, I need to think about what I'd need to do if I blow a tire. He also said that between the Altimax HP and the BF Goodrich TA, I'm probably better off with the Altimax, when it comes to snow performance, because the BF Goodrich TA is a more sporty tire.

I appreciate his honesty, and in the perfect world, I'd go for a set of snow tires and a nice set of summers, but having nowhere to store them and not wanting that expense of installing them twice a year, I'll just have to stick to a good set of all weathers. Do you think it makes sense to order 5 Altimax HPs in case I "blow" one of them (especially since they're being discontinued)?

I think if i had to buy tires again , i would probably still buy the same tires, comfort tred, but i think i would buy them somewhere else.

lets not forget they are a 70-80 thousand mile tire.

also there is a 80 rebate now too.

just dont got to sams club, lol

 

[Chrish051873]

The hell? Install for all 4 is normally between $60-100. So you paid, what, just about $200 a tire? That's asinine. Tirerack has these for $109 each in the Sonic's size.

even on goodyears website, they start at 183.00

then throw in mount & balance, tax and there you have it.

Assurance ComforTred Touring Tires | Goodyear Tires

 

[pounamu]

Called General Tire to get a definitive answer about the Altimax HP being discontinued. Was assured that it is NOT being discontinued. What on earth are all these tire dealers smoking? Was also told that the RT is in no way a replacement for the HP, but a totally different tire. My guess is that the tire dealers are trying to sell the newer / more expensive tire. Why would they say it was being discontinued??

Anyway. I ended up ordering the Altimax HPs from Tire Buyer, to be delivered to my mechanic. Just looking at the treads on these and the Optimos, I honestly have no idea how I even got home in that snow storm the other night. The Optimo is a summer tire, at best.

 

[ahtoxa]

You'll like them. As I said, they will feel just a bit mushy for the first 200-300 miles, but not in any unsafe way. You'll just feel the difference. That mushiness will go away after the few hundred miles and they will be fine.

I was put off by that at first, but research showed that it's a break-n symptom that goes away.

 

[pounamu]

Thank you! I'm looking forward to a better performance all around, and especially to making it through the winter!! I really appreciate your recommendation - I'll make sure to update next week once the new tires are on the car!

 

[007CobaltLS]

Just in case anyone cares, the Arctic and the iPike are the same tire, same tread, just badge engineered. I just put a set of the Arctic's on my 15's on Sunday, because I got them cheaper, we had both on the shelf.

I actually disagree....while they are nearly the same tread, I have owned both and I had the Hankook's first...the Arctic's are on currently and I think the Arctic's are worse. Ice traction is where I noticed the difference...both do just fine in everything else, but on ice...especially from a stop at a light or something of the likes, the Hankook's gripped way better. They wore better as well...I sold them with decent tread left (1/2 to a full season remaining) and my Arctic's will be gone after this winter.

Both sets were on the same car...I had the Hankook's for 3 seasons before selling them, the Arctic's are on now and this is the third season.

The funny thing is I had the same mindset as you (for buying my second set of winter tires), but in reality my Hankook's were cheaper by a long shot. Back when I bought them Discount Tire Direct offered $100 off any set of wheels and $100 off any set of tires...I bought steel wheels with the tires and saved $200 plus they mount and balance and ship for free with no tax...I paid $291.00 total. Best purchase of my life and I wish Discount Tire Direct would do it again, but they learned their lesson as I've never seen the offer again.

 

[TheFallenAngel12]

with the stock hancooks i was loosing air every week in one tire or another. Last winter with them was Horendous!! Almost got into so many accidents. slipping and sliding all over the place. hated those tires with a passion. this summer i bought me a new Set of Tires when i got my new Rims. I bought me a nice set of ::
BridgeStone Turanza Serenity Plus (Grand Touring All-Season) Low Rolling Resistance, Blackwall, 205/55R16 (23Lb's/tire)

Upon installing these on my Sonic, I saw Improved Ride Quality... Improved MPG... Quieter Ride... and no More Leaking Air!!! and So Far this Winter, i have seen MUCH better Handeling and grip in the snowy slushy conditions here in northern ohio. I turn off both the Nanny's (Tc & Sc) and have seen a HUGE difference in the way the car drives and handles now. Love It! Got mine off of Tirerack.com and they mounted them to my new rims for me too. so all i had to do is install them when they came and learn the new tire sensors to the car. Done.

 

[Ever Victorious]

Wow... ok, so I underestimated just how horrible those stock Hankooks are in the snow. a whopping 2" caused me to slide a little and activate ABS, coming to a gentle stop from a screaming 10 MPH as I was coming to the main road.

They've been fine in the wet and dry, nothing spectacular... but I'm definitely going to replace them by next winter (assuming what we got was the only snow event we have this year), probably with the Goodyears I like.

 

[steadite]

I recently put Goodyear Assurance on my Sonic and it's SO much better in the snow it's like a new car. It was dangerous in the snow with the stock tires IMO.

 

[pounamu]

OK, an update. The new tires (Altimax HP) were installed today. I took'er out for a test drive, city / highway. Wow, holy improved ride quality, Batman! It's more cushioned, but still in a very focused, firm way. Feels a lot more connected to the road. A lot less jarring and jittery than the Hankooks. And can I just say CORNERING? The car is a lot more stable through the corners now. Nice and grippy, it just feels a lot better planted. I feel a lot safer in it now. You really don't realize how crappy the Hankooks are (especially if you don't get out in the snow much) until you put decent tires on your Sonic. And I so agree with the snow driving comments - the original tires are dangerous, period. But even if you don't need snow performance, the increase in overall performance and quality is amazing. Most definitely worth the money.

In the end, I paid about $280 for the tires from Tirebuyer (includes a small discount and tax / shipping). Anohter $100 to my mechanic for the installation. Kept the Hankooks and will try to sell them on Craigslist; if no luck then I'll just dump them. Oh, and since Fedex screwed up the delivery (they delivered three out of four, I guess they thought I was driving a tricycle?) I got a fifth tire for free from Tirebuyer (highly recommended, btw). All in all, compared to any other tire store, I probably paid about $150-300 less, depending on the tires.

I still have to test them out in snow and rain, but I'm pretty hopeful. These babies have some deep grooves

Ahtoxa, you are a god among men. I could just kiss you (and you too, Trevor!)

 

[ahtoxa]

Glad you like them. They will feel even better in a couple hundred miles when they heat cycle a few times and the mold release agent wears off. I've had mine in the slush and ice since then and they worked very well.

 

[ScarabEpic22]

I put the Altimax HPs on my grandma's 96 Lexus ES300 and was very pleased with their traction, ride, and noise. They were a little squishy for my liking, but I only put them on to sell the car as the old tires were shot so I put maybe 100mi on them before selling the car.

I absolutely despise the stock Hankooks on my Sonic, once I can save up the $$ Im going to ditch them and stick some 18s on my RS. Ive got my TBSS for winter/snow duty so I dont care about snow traction, just want good wet/dry, sporty/firm/responsive ride, and low noise (if I can).