Drivers who haven't bought new tires in a decade or so might be surprised at the high cost. The options buyers have to chose from might also cause some headaches. Shopping around for a good deal is often the best policy.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — It's been a decade since I bought tires for a vehicle, so it was sticker-shock time when I saw the cost of new ones. I usually get rid of a vehicle before the tread wears out, meaning the price was less than $200 the last time I purchased a set.

I love my versatile, fuel-efficient '03 Toyota RAV4, and racked up 46,000 miles on a set of 16-inch Bridgestone tires before deciding it was time to let them go.

Even though I kept the tires inflated and religiously rotated every 5,000 miles as recommended, they cupped and developed an awful roaring noise. That problem started when the tires hit 40,000 miles, but I continued driving on them, oblivious to the road racket that drove my husband crazy.

Finally, I started shopping for tires, opting for Michelin because all the men in our family prefer that brand.

First, I checked with the Toyota dealer in Newport News, Va., and quickly learned that's not the place to buy tires — even with our salesman's discount. Including installation, I was looking at almost $700 for the set of four. Tread Quarters was about $20 cheaper.

I also priced tires at Sears, Sam's Club and Wal-Mart, and only the latter came close to offering me a decent deal — $635, including free rotation and balancing. In the meantime, I discovered Costco's online site where a tire selection menu allowed me to view four tire options to fit my little SUV.

You can also e-mail a tire adviser at Costco, asking for help, which I did. I promptly received a reply, suggesting four types of tires, each offering a different feature. I printed out all the information and carried it with me when I went to Costco to take advantage of the $60-off sale for a set of Michelins. I was prepared to spend $160 per wheel, but the tire manager assured me $147.88 would get me a Cadillac ride. For $609, I got all-season Michelins with free rotation, rebalance and flat repair. Now, I'm riding in quiet — not on air in my tires, but on nitrogen, which is supposed to increase gas mileage and improve tire life.