they = are cheaper in the long run. High quality tires not only outlast cheap = tires, they also outperform the cheaper tires day in and day out for the life = of the tire. The next time the UPS man brings you a parcel, = take a gander at his tires on his truck. Michelin or Bridgestone I = would guess. As a former fleet maintenance manager for a fleet of = trucks, I learned that lesson early on. If you think you are saving money initially, it is a harder lesson to learn when it comes time to = replace the tires prematurely. Pay the money for the Michelins, that is = the cheapest tire on the road, not to mention it will outperform cheaper tires. Fuel economy is improved as well, lower rolling = resistance. Noise generation is even lower. Why have a good = year with (your favorite brand X here) when you can have a great year with Michelin?