Buying new tires for an older Toyota Camry

2003 Camry SE 4-cylinder, 135,000 miles. I'm ready to buy new tires, but I have to take the age/mileage of the car into consideration. A friend recommended against buying expensive tires, because of the fact that my struts, shocks, and other front end and suspension parts will likely be due for replacement sometime in the near future. And as these parts wear out and reach the end of their service life, they can cause excessive and uneven wear on tires. So his suggestion was to buy cheaper tires since "they're gonna get chopped up" by the older and worn suspension on the car.

I've had the car 8 years, I haven't yet noticed any symptoms while driving that any suspension parts need replacing. And the bounce test looks good. So what should my approach to this be? I want to buy some higher end tires... should I buy them and just "monitor the car closely" to make sure I replace any suspension parts as soon as they need it, to prevent any undue tire wear? And is that even possible... to be able to monitor the tread wear on your tires, and/or monitor the state of the suspension, in the context of what I'm referring to here?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

- Dave

Buy the best tires you would like to. The shocks would have to give out seriously to tear up your tires before you'd notice them. They and the wheel bearings are the most likely to give out. Just have your tires rotated often and have the guy check the suspension and wheel bearings at that time.

I am still buying the best tires I can find for my '96 Camry.

Dave,

I agree with Brian. If you are planning to keep the car and there are no problems with the car now, I would buy the best tires I can afford for the car. You can have the suspension looked at by someone you trust before purchasing and installing the tires, or ask the shop who installs the tire to check your suspension first. If you don't know of anyone send me a private email and I will try to recommend someone in the area. I also live in Wheeling.

Mike

Thanks Mike.

I tried to send you a private e-mail a few times... but the website throws an error.

Can you try to message me?