429CJ-3X2
Elite Explorer
- Joined
- November 6, 2009
- Messages
- 1,643
- Reaction score
- 398
- City, State
- Des Moines, Iowa
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '01,'02, '04 Sport Tracs,
When I bought my '01 ST 4 years ago, 2 of the 4 Destination A/T tires needed to be replaced. The other 2 had some uneven wear, but plenty of tread, so there was no reason to replace them. Now 4 years and 30,000 miles later, the 2 old tires need replaced. I have no complaints at all about the Firestones. The 2 that now have 30,000 miles on them - all on the rear - still have most of the tread and are in great shape. The tread is more aggressive than I really need, but they're quiet and obviously wear well.
This seems like an easy decision. Need 2 tires, buy 2 tires. But I have an irrational aversion to Firestone tires based solely on the fact the Destination LEs (not LE2, which seem to be fine) that came on my '02 were not just bad on packed snow and ice, but terribly dangerous. Absolutely ZERO traction to start or stop. Worst tires I've ever had - in those conditions. Again, no complaints about the Destination A/T. Also it seems reasonable that the cycle of buying 2 tires at a time will have to end at some time.
The best price I could find online was at the local farm and home store - 2 Destination A/Ts mounted and balanced for $326, or I can get 4 Cooper Discoverer A/T3s for $645. The Coopers also get me a $50 gift card, so it ends up being $326 for 2 Firestones vs 4 Coopers for the equivalent of $595. The difference of $270 is just under the cost of the extra 2 tires alone without all the extra charges for mounting, balancing, warranty, etc.
Another factor is wheels. The clearcoat on the factory wheels on this truck is about half gone, and they're badly corroded. If I go with the 2 Firestones, I'll stick with the current wheels. If I go with 4 tires, I'll have them mounted on the very nice set of '02 Ranger wheels I have. Of course if I get the Coopers, I'll have 2 good Firestones I don't need.
I've managed to over complicate a simple situation, and would like some input. I've been thinking on this for months, and I'm no closer to making a decision.
This seems like an easy decision. Need 2 tires, buy 2 tires. But I have an irrational aversion to Firestone tires based solely on the fact the Destination LEs (not LE2, which seem to be fine) that came on my '02 were not just bad on packed snow and ice, but terribly dangerous. Absolutely ZERO traction to start or stop. Worst tires I've ever had - in those conditions. Again, no complaints about the Destination A/T. Also it seems reasonable that the cycle of buying 2 tires at a time will have to end at some time.
The best price I could find online was at the local farm and home store - 2 Destination A/Ts mounted and balanced for $326, or I can get 4 Cooper Discoverer A/T3s for $645. The Coopers also get me a $50 gift card, so it ends up being $326 for 2 Firestones vs 4 Coopers for the equivalent of $595. The difference of $270 is just under the cost of the extra 2 tires alone without all the extra charges for mounting, balancing, warranty, etc.
Another factor is wheels. The clearcoat on the factory wheels on this truck is about half gone, and they're badly corroded. If I go with the 2 Firestones, I'll stick with the current wheels. If I go with 4 tires, I'll have them mounted on the very nice set of '02 Ranger wheels I have. Of course if I get the Coopers, I'll have 2 good Firestones I don't need.
I've managed to over complicate a simple situation, and would like some input. I've been thinking on this for months, and I'm no closer to making a decision.