So I drive a 2012 hyundai elantra gls with the 16'' 205 tires.

On tirerack I found Continental PureContact with EcoPlus technology tires for $98 each. After shipping that's $110 each. My questions


1. Any qualms with buying from tirerack in general?

2. Is it cheaper to avoid the shipping cost and go with Mr Tire or Pep Boys or something locally? Many do the buy 3 and get the 4th free thing.

3. I live in MD where the weather is mild. 95% of my driving is highway. We get about 5-8 snowstorms a year, each between 1-6 inches, one or two will be 12'' or more. Should I get grand touring all-seasons, or ultra high performance all seasons?

4. I was thinking of just getting 2 new ones for the front and tossing on the older ones in the back since they only have 28k miles on them (they're AWFUL and that's why i'm getting new ones so i dont die this winter). Or does this defeat the purpose of getting tires if I'm gonna keep 2 tires on the back?

Thanks!

This post was edited by AspenSniper on Dec 23 2013 03:03pm

when i got my winter tires i went through my car dealership, he bought them from tirerack and did not charge me anything over cost. i don't even think i paid for shipping. and he let me forgo getting the tire pressure sensor, something that saved me money per tire and that firestone lied and told me they were mandatory and illegal not to have.

you drive a hyundai elantra gls, imo you do not need ultra high performance all season.

What do you think about changing all 4 as opposed to just the 2?

ive always had a rule of them that if you can change all four, you might as well. but that could be entirely incorrect.
i know with AWD this should hold true, but you don't have AWD so that doesn't really apply to you.

id think on a fwd/rwd car as long as you keep you keep them in pairs (both new in front) then you should be fine.
though if you have different tires in front and back it tends to look pretty ghetto.

1. Tire Rack ships from DE, you'll have them super fast. I live in in NJ and get them next day most of the time (even though I pay for regular shipping). I always order off them, never had even half a complaint
2. Possibly, depends on what specials they are running. Just call and ask for what the final price will be (mounted etc.). And you can also ask what they would charge to mount/balance tires you bring in. Most places will do it pretty cheap
3. Its a Hyundai, not a race car, you'll be fine with the Grand Touring A/S tires.
4. I would say it depends on how much you are changing. If they are 2 completely different style tread designs, or different tires (like A/S vs summer) I would definitely do the 4. If you are getting the same exact or (extremely similar) ones that are on the car, then you are fine to get them in pairs.

Take your internet prices to discount tire and have them match the price

These are the tires I want to buy: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=PureContact+with+EcoPlus+Technology&partnum=055HR6PUREC&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Hyundai&autoYear=2012&autoModel=Elantra%20Sedan&autoModClar=GLS

These are the tires I had that came stock: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Hankook&tireModel=Optimo+H426&partnum=055HR6H426V4&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Hyundai&autoYear=2012&autoModel=Elantra%20Sedan&autoModClar=GLS

Check out the "Surveys" to see the ranking on ice traction, steering, etc. The hankook's that came stock were ranked 32/32 dead last and the ones i wanna buy are 2/32, the only ones above it are the ultra high performance but theyll last 15k miles less than the grand touring continentals.