I swear by the michelins. I run the destinys on my PA

Again, if you need tires, and are looking for a stiffer sidewall to help handling, that'* one thing. But if you are expecting to swap out tires, and suddenly change a mushy suspension into one you can toss around corners, tires really aren't going to help that much.
One thing Buicks especially are in need of, is bigger anti-roll bars. You are tossing around a lot of weight in a corner. Some cars don't even have a rear bar at all. My stock FE1 equipped LeSabre didn't even have a rear bar at all.
A LeSabre or PA isn't going to have the handling character of a similar Pontiac Bonneville. The Buicks were built for comfort and soft riding suspension. Pontiacs were built with a bit more handling capability in mind. Buicks biggest rim was a 16, Pontiacs used 17s. Pontiacs used stiffer anti roll bars. It changes the ride quality, but you can't change handling without affecting ride quality.
There'* nothing wrong with changing out the tires, but you have to figure out what you really want the car to do. Just re-reading your first post, tires alone are not going to get you to your goal. If you want the car to be stable on twisty roads at 70mph, you are going to need a lot more than just a stiffer sidewall and marginally wider contact patch. You are going to have to change the suspension around a bit to accomplish what you are expecting.

I was considering Michelin when I have to get new tires, have you tried, or heard anything about the HydroEdge'*?
I have a lot of rain in the spring/summer, and a little snow during the winter, so I want the best traction/braking control tire I can get, they are a little pricey at around 125.00 and up per tire, but I think they sound like they would be worth it.

First of ALL Thank you for all the great suggestions & info/ inputs!
Ok So I am going tell the story here..it turn out that the tires that came on my PA were 11 years old!! Aged tires can be dangerous and mine had dried out & cracking!

From the ABC news story: (aged tires a driving hazard?)
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/aged...hazard-4826897
I learned how to read the DOT code and then knew my tires were 11 years old!
Look at the date before you buy your tires folks! My new ones are 4011 (week 40 of 2011) so they are fairly fresh!
So I did buy the Michelin Destiny that Can Tire Was clearing out @ $114 each! Reg $195
Total installed & balanced with all costs incl tax was $154 each. They have a tread wear of 725 and 130,000 km warranty. (I normally change out at 35 % anyways)
The interesting fact is these tires do have a good firm sidewall and Really try to get the treads to lay flat by Michelin Stress Equilibrium Casing™ technology.

Anyways it now drives great ( had 4 wheel alignment done a week ago) very solid at 34 psi, strong & quiet. Will see how they grip when it next rains! Stayed wit 225-60R-16 for fuel economy as well.


It needs front brakes soon and may do the front Quick Strut (monroe) next too!
I agree suspension makes a huge difference in performance & handling!
Will see if I got sway bars too..another topic for another day!
I am liking the safe tires and feel almost ready for a long 1000 mile trip soon!

Glad to hear the Michelins worked out for you! I will be needing tires soon, I may try a set of the destinys myself. I thought I read somewhere that the PA Ultra with the supercharged motor had a stiffer suspension and bigger sway bars than the standard PA. I am 52 and have grown old enough to apprecaite the smooooth ride of the PA but, there are times I wish it cornered more like my SSEi. I have given thought to checking into putting bigger sway bars on the PA. Does anyone know if such a sway bar exists and where I could get them?

I am not sure if the Destiny are a exclusive product For Canadian Tire or not.
There is also the Harmony by Michelin ( same tread) just thought I would mention that.
http://www.michelin.ca/tire-selector/name/harmony-tires

Sadly with replacing your struts you will need another alighnment..Just so ya know.but tires look good glad you found something your happy with

Just an update with 3" snow/ice/slush and the Detiny tires.
Even uphill and stopping they bite down & get ya going! (nice)
Most new tires perform well when new, but after they wear down no so much.
I will say the treads left in the snow are impressive with multi-slot type bite pattern, I expect these to be a very good tire all around.

My Dad bought the same tires, 6 years ago, the Michelin Harmony, and we had years of treadwear out of those. Drove them in 2 winters before he got snow tires. When we took them off for the last time, they were scrapped. All tires wearing smooth, and even, and near bald! He was very happy with them.


Make sure you rotate them frequently and keep the car maintained and aligned.

I wanted to update this thread regarding the Michelin Destiny tires now almost 4 years later.
With alignments & rotations, 40k miles on them, they have worn extremely evenly, and are reading 8mm or 9 or 10/32nd'* tread still remaining, almost like new !!
I kept them at 35psi and by the way they are M+* rated with traction A.
I know they will still...

Just Fine.
Our mountain passes require the M+* rating for winter travel.
It is a good idea to find an all season radial that has the M&* rating for winter confidence.
Of course a dedicated set of snow tires are best. The PA though has done great with the Detiny'* overall.
It should be noted the Detiny'* were discontinued, and that is a shame, cause the sidewalls are way thicker than the new Michelin Defender'* they are currently offering.
The Michelin site lack decent specs, what comes with M+* rating in all season radials has to be investigated..carefully!