I used to be a huge tire nerd and enjoyed reading about and researching them on TireRack and Consumer Reports. As someone mentioned, most mainstream brands have some hits and misses. Since the government put a premium on fleet-level fuel mileage, most automakers have gone back to putting crap tires on new cars. If they can save 1/8 mpg by putting a tire with no grip on a new car, they will do it.
I also really like Cooper tires. They are not necessarily top-of-the-line, but you usually get a very good tire at a very good price. If you're a value shopper, they should be near the top of your shopping list.
My general opinions on some others:
Kelly: Used to be a good value tire, like Cooper, but strictly my opinion, they've gone downhill since merging with Goodyear.
Michelin: Premium tires. Premium prices. As with most mainstream brands, some of their OEM tires sold with new cars are crap. Most of their after-market tires are good.
BF Goodrich: Hit or miss. Generally good tires at good prices, but you have to do some research to find the good ones.
Goodyear: Mediocre tires at premium tire prices. They try to sell you on the fact that NASCAR uses them, cops use them and school buses use them. Those are marketing deals that have nothing to do with quality.
Bridgestone: Some excellent tires, some crap tires. Never found them to be a great value, however.
Yokohama: I've had some after-market Yokohama tires that were excellent. I also had some OEM tires from them that were total crap. If you find a good one, they're generally a decent value.
Kumho: I'd put them a step behind Cooper. Again, just my opinion. Usually a good tire at a good price, but some of their OEM tires are not so good.
Continental: Some hit or miss but generally premium tires at premium prices. They make the only tire that's decent on snow that would fit my wife's Mazda6 and been very happy with them, although they were expensive.
General: Some hit or miss, but generally a good value brand. They also have some premium tires at premium prices, but they also have some well-priced tires that are excellent.
Pirelli: Again, some OEM tires are crap but they have some after-market tires that are really excellent. I had Pirelli P400s on one of my cars (I don't think they make that tire anymore) and still count as among the best tires I've ever had.
As someone else mentioned, Costco is a good place to buy tires. I've also been very happy with Discount Tire. FYI...They will rotate and repair tires free, even if you didn't buy them there. All they ask in return is that you give them a look next time you're shopping for tires. Really like them.
EDIT: Firestone: Hit or miss, but I'm on my second set of Destination LE2 and love them. Excellent light truck/SUV tire.
