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My daily driver cavalier(yeah,i know,but it was practically given to me and I know the maint. history) is needing new tires. tire size is 15". I don't have a lot of experience with car tires. I need something fairly cheap that is good in snow/ice/wet pavement but can stay on the car year round. I don't need a tire rated for 80,000 miles since i doubt the car will be running that much longer and if it is,it won't be in my possession!! thanks for the suggestions!!
You have a tire store you've bought any tires from nearby? They can steer you to the house brand or whatever they sell. Tires have the tread/temp/traction rating, so you can at least see a relative rating and decide if the $19 100/c/c Maypop is really a bargain against the $39 440/a/b Alsoran. You basically have to go out of your way to buy a bad tire in most cases. Tirerack also has reviews, and people who have cars like yours love to talk about their tires....
The Futura line that Pep Boys sells is a pretty fair tire. As far as I know it's still made by Kelly. I don't remember the other less expensive tire they sell but it is crap. Pep Boys has sales all the time like 4 for $99 (13" no doubt) buy 3 get one free ect.
Kumho seems to be a good tire from all the reviews at tire rack. I put a set on an 04 Jeep Liberty a year ago last Nov. They have worn very well, great traction in snow and handle better than the oem's, braking is better also.
It's tough to find a year-round tire that's inexpensive, and does well in snow and ice. The winter compounds are softer, and don't wear well on hot pavement, and may be noisier, due to their aggressive tread. As mistaken said, Kuhmo is not a bad deal. Our winter isn't too bad, so I've got a set (mounted on junkyard wheels) just for the wife's car for winter. My work truck has the high$ tires.