Our
latest ratings of ultra-high-performance (UHP) summer and all-season tires are now available online. (The complete report will follow shortly in the November issue of Consumer Reports magazine.) The story, and more than a few forum readers, notes that some highly rated models are comparative bargains. Among UHP summer tires, for example, we paid $112 for the impressive Hankook Ventus V12 Evo--considerably less than the $184 and $220 we paid for some models that scored slightly higher. That's almost like buying two for one when comparing the Hankook and the pricier models.
But not so fast. The price indicated is what we paid when we purchased the tires last November to do the test. Prices of nearly all tires have since gone up. Manufacturers often cite the increase of raw materials for this, but that's a story for another time. Regardless, prices are up about $10 per tire.
Of course, the price we paid is for the tire size we tested. Larger sized versions of the tires we tested cost more. Another challenge in listing price information is many tires don't have suggested manufacturer retail prices. Tire dealers and other retailers define the tire pricing. And if it's a newly introduced tire model, we often pay more to get it.
Checking the price of the Hankook Ventus V12 Evo in our test size online, for example, you could pay as little as $112 (as we published) to over $140. Some of the higher priced offerings also include a $60 rebate good through November 30. Some retailers offer free shipping and if it's tire dealership or retail store, they often include free mounting and balancing, typically a $75 value.
Bottom line: If you're buying new tires, shop around for the best price. But keep in mind that for a true comparison, the price should include not only the cost of the tires, but also shipping, taxes, and installation. Buying four tires at time is often the best deal for collecting rebate offers and getting free mounting and balancing from certain retailers. And depending on where you live, you may have to pay a disposal fee for your old, worn-out tires.
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Gene Petersen
