Cheap Tires

[DaFace]

I've got a 1999 Chrysler 300M that is basically a giant paperweight, but gets used every once in a while when both the wife and I have a need for a car. To give you the idea, I just changed the oil in the car after 6 months, and it had only driven about 500 miles or so in that time period.

Anyway, even though there's plenty of tread on the tires, they're all falling apart. Cracked and worn, going flat every once in a while for no particular reason and that type of thing. In short, they've got to go.

So...

I can get a mid-level Yokohama or Sumitomo set installed for around $625 total, or I can go the cheap route and get some crappy house brand (Primewell) that Tires Plus sells for around $500 total. I hate to put on a set of crappy tires, but I also hate to spend extra money on a car that barely moves - especially considering the tires would be worth about 1/3 the total value of the car at this point.

Recommendations?

[Brock]

I buy used tires for my crappy cars.

[BigVE]

WALMART. I got a set of lower end Goodyears for around 400 bucks last year.

[kstater]

I'd go cheap if you're only putting 1k on it a year. But then again, you're living in Denver, so the extra tread might be worth it. Your tires are dry rotted, will likely happen again.

[DaFace]

WALMART. I got a set of lower end Goodyears for around 400 bucks last year.

Problem is that it's a weird size (225/55R17), so there is no such thing as "cheap" for them.

[DaFace]

I buy used tires for my crappy cars.

Got any recommendations on where to look?

[2112]

Got any recommendations on where to look?

Costco

[kstater]

Got any recommendations on where to look?

Call the tire places and ask. Used tires are hit and miss. Some stores will have certain sizes, some won't.

[Skip Towne]

Used tires. Some dealers have them. Also salvage yards.

[DMAC]

Costcoor Sam's.

I always go with Eagle GT 2's.

[BigVE]

Problem is that it's a weird size (225/55R17), so there is no such thing as "cheap" for them.


Yeah, I didn't know for sure if that year of 300m had the bigger wheels or not. I would still check though.

[2112]

or Sam's.

I always go with Eagle GT 2's.

Does ChiefsPlanet have a group Costco membership?

[kstater]

Does ChiefsPlanet have a group Costco membership?

That'd be a lot of cards to pass out.

[Saulbadguy]

I'm a Kumho fan. Looks like they have the Kumho Ecsta ASX in your size. They run around 70-80 per tire.

[Miles]

Got any recommendations on where to look?

You may try Craigslist or Ebay to look for someone who sells them.

Used tires would by suggestion as well.

[Iowanian]

Salvage yard.

A bigger one will have those tires, taken from wrecks.

No more than you drive it, even if you have a match set for the rear, and one set for the front, you'll be fine, and save Hundreds. I'd guess $20/tire.

[DaFace]

Hmm...I'll have to see if I can hunt down any used options. Thanks for the recommendations so far - I'll check back in later.

[BigVE]

I'm a Kumho fan. Looks like they have the Kumho Ecsta ASX in your size. They run around 70-80 per tire.

Thats not bad.

[HemiEd]

Got any recommendations on where to look?

Sams, I was just there taking care of getting my Dad's tires rotated on his 99 LHS. It sure is a nice driving car! :) (same as 300m with a bigger trunk)

They had a pretty good selection of 17s, but they aren't as cheap as 14s and 15s yet.

[Donger]

Great tread. I've got to replace the tires on my car and the local car tire place wants $1,400 for the set. Sounds like a case of Big Tire to me.

[kstater]

Great tread. I've got to replace the tires on my car and the local car tire place wants $1,400 for the set. Sounds like a case of Big Tire to me.

What do you drive, and what size tires?

[DMAC]

Sounds like a case of Big Tire to me.That's what she said?

Meh.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compare1.jsp?sortValue=0&filterType=all&resultsNumberSelected=Y&displayResults=10&compare=true&autoMake=Chrysler&autoModel=300M&autoYear=1999&autoModClar=&vehicleSearch=true&compareList=&RunFlat=All&goWhere=%252Ftires%252FCompare1.jsp&minLoad=S&loadRank=2&minSpeedRating=S&sortCode=49750&width=225%2F&ratio=55&diameter=17&speed_rating=S&speed_rating=T&speed_rating=U&speed_rating=H&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&speed_rating=Y&speed_rating=%28Y%29&startIndex=0

[HemiEd]

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compare1.jsp?sortValue=0&filterType=all&resultsNumberSelected=Y&displayResults=10&compare=true&autoMake=Chrysler&autoModel=300M&autoYear=1999&autoModClar=&vehicleSearch=true&compareList=&RunFlat=All&goWhere=%252Ftires%252FCompare1.jsp&minLoad=S&loadRank=2&minSpeedRating=S&sortCode=49750&width=225%2F&ratio=55&diameter=17&speed_rating=S&speed_rating=T&speed_rating=U&speed_rating=H&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&speed_rating=Y&speed_rating=%28Y%29&startIndex=0

That is where I bought the "Blizzaks" for the Challenger, they are amazing tires.

[Donger]

What do you drive, and what size tires?

I just looked at the quote. It was for a set on Michelin something or other. I drive a 2002 VW GTI, 1.8T. Has the sporty wheels on it.

[kstater]

I just looked at the quote. It was for a set on Michelin something or other. I drive a 2002 VW GTI, 1.8T. Has the sporty wheels on it.

Yeah, the guy is trying to sell you some expensive tires. Buying tires aren't that big of deal, do a little research and go talk to a tire place.

[DaFace]

I'm a Kumho fan. Looks like they have the Kumho Ecsta ASX in your size. They run around 70-80 per tire.

Hmm...looks like I could get 4 of those from tirerack for around $350 shipped, plus $60 for installation. Not bad...

[kstater]

Are these the tires he's selling you?

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport+Cup&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=245YR7SPORTCUP&fromCompare1=yes&place=147

[Donger]

Are these the tires he's selling you?

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport+Cup&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=245YR7SPORTCUP&fromCompare1=yes&place=147

No. Primacy HP ZP or something. Thanks for your help, BTW.

[Donger]

Just so I'm clear, one can buy tires from anywhere and just take them to get them installed at a tire place, right? You don't have to buy the tires at the same place you get them installed?

[Simply Red]

I buy used tires for my crappy cars.

That

[Simply Red]

Plus you could probably get an actual brand-name that have little wear for about 40.00 per tire installed. At least that is the case at Ify tires in Duluth.

[Donger]

That

I couldn't do that. I'll have to have the little whisker things still attached.

[DaFace]

Just so I'm clear, one can buy tires from anywhere and just take them to get them installed at a tire place, right? You don't have to buy the tires at the same place you get them installed?

Yep. I've found that $60 or so usually covers basic mounting and balancing in the places I've called.

[kstater]

Just so I'm clear, one can buy tires from anywhere and just take them to get them installed at a tire place, right? You don't have to buy the tires at the same place you get them installed?

Correct. They'll charge you more to mount them if you don't buy tires from them, but if the offset cost is cheaper, it's worth it.

[Rain Man]

In all seriousness, if you drive the car 1,000 miles per year, just sell it. Your cost of insurance and depreciation and oil changes and occasional new tires is probably $100 a month or so. You could probably rent a car cheaper when you need two cars.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Just so I'm clear, one can buy tires from anywhere and just take them to get them installed at a tire place, right? You don't have to buy the tires at the same place you get them installed?

you can. just be aware you may be charged higher for the mounting so they can make some $$.

I got tires for our Milan from Tirerack and had them sent directly to the local installer so I never had to mess with them.

[Simply Red]

I couldn't do that. I'll have to have the little whisker things still attached.

ROFL

[Iowanian]

Most tire shops are going to want to sell you the tires too.

That said, go to a small mom-n-pop tire shop and they'll mount and balance them for you. The idea of providing good service in hopes you'll remember them next time...

[Bearcat2005]

DiscountTireDirect.com

[Miles]

Tirerack.com also has a list of dealers in your area where they can dropship them so you don't have to deal with receiving and transporting them for install.

[Skip Towne]

I wouldn't have the guts to bring my own tires to a tire shop than I would bringing my own steak to a restaurant.

[blueballs]

Just get a full size spare

[asdf]

Tirerack.com also has a list of dealers in your area where they can dropship them so you don't have to deal with receiving and transporting them for install.

I just did this for the first time ever - ordered tires on Tirerack, choose the NTB near my house for delivery and installation. Worked like a charm and saved around a hundred bucks over buying the tires at NTB. NTB was professional and courteous about the whole thing. The guy said they do several a week like that.

[DaFace]

Looks like I can get a set of 4 of the Kumho's that Saul recommended for $344.42 shipped. Once they're here, I'll find someone to throw them on for me for $60 or so, so I'll come out just over $400. Still painful, but much better than $625. Thanks to all for the recommendations!

[DaFace]

In all seriousness, if you drive the car 1,000 miles per year, just sell it. Your cost of insurance and depreciation and oil changes and occasional new tires is probably $100 a month or so. You could probably rent a car cheaper when you need two cars.

If I could snap my fingers and have a rental car appear, I'd certainly think about it. As it is, the times we use the car are when she's out for a rehearsal one evening and I need to get to the grocery store, for example. It wouldn't work very well to have to rent a car each time that happened.

[Rain Man]

If I could snap my fingers and have a rental car appear, I'd certainly think about it. As it is, the times we use the car are when she's out for a rehearsal one evening and I need to get to the grocery store, for example. It wouldn't work very well to have to rent a car each time that happened.

Pizza delivery, then. You could buy five pizzas a month.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Looks like I can get a set of 4 of the Kumho's that Saul recommended for $344.42 shipped. Once they're here, I'll find someone to throw them on for me for $60 or so, so I'll come out just over $400. Still painful, but much better than $625. Thanks to all for the recommendations!

look up an installer on Tirerack and have them shipped there. That will save you the hassle of handling them.

[rtmike]

I have a '00 300M that is my daily driver. I put a set of Goodyear Assurance on a couple years ago. I wanted them for their water dispersing capability but they really got through the snow Christmas week.

At each end of our block is a hill and the one end the front wheel drive rigs were having problems and two wheel drive pick ups w/o chains weren't making it up and all were parking at the bottom. I was worried cause even an inch of snow I can't get around with my chair. The ol' 300M walked right up, of course the tires were spinning and the traction light kept going off and on. This was about a foot of loose snow and you could see where the rigs were bottoming out.

But two thumbs up for this set of tires. Great in the rain, they cut right through the ruts on the freeway with standing water and now I have a new found respect for their snow capability.

Another selling point was the no interest for I think 90 days. That's how we buy a lot of stuff.

http://www.bigotires.com/extranet/images/products/35GDY7J_TripleTread.jpg

[ncCHIEFfan]

Dude, today I received 4 new tires, an oil change, and anual inspection for $315 at Texico

[Ebolapox]

In all seriousness, if you drive the car 1,000 miles per year, just sell it. Your cost of insurance and depreciation and oil changes and occasional new tires is probably $100 a month or so. You could probably rent a car cheaper when you need two cars.

jesus, if you weren't slaving him to death and paying him low wages, it wouldn't have come to this!

[RJ]

No Discount Tires in Denver? I'm a big fan of Discount Tires.

[DaFace]

No Discount Tires in Denver? I'm a big fan of Discount Tires.

I'm actually really confused about it. I ended up getting the ones Saul recommended here:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+ASX&partnum=255WR7EASX

I wanted to see if I could get them locally and found them at Discount Tire here:

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/findTireDetail.do?c=1&rcz=80229&ar=55&rf=true&rd=17&rc=CODINT&cs=225&dVeh=dVeh&tc=KUMHZ8&yr=1999&pc=33480&cf=false&vid=004991&sw=false

So I could have gone there, but it would have cost me around $268 extra for the same tire.

[Saulbadguy]

I'm actually really confused about it. I ended up getting the ones Saul recommended here:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+ASX&partnum=255WR7EASX

I wanted to see if I could get them locally and found them at Discount Tire here:

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/findTireDetail.do?c=1&rcz=80229&ar=55&rf=true&rd=17&rc=CODINT&cs=225&dVeh=dVeh&tc=KUMHZ8&yr=1999&pc=33480&cf=false&vid=004991&sw=false

So I could have gone there, but it would have cost me around $268 extra for the same tire.
I always get my tires at Sears, they are generally pretty competitive. You may give them a call about the Kumho.

[DaFace]

I always get my tires at Sears, they are generally pretty competitive. You may give them a call about the Kumho.

Na, already ordered em from tirerack. I could have asked specifically about the Kumho's, but they told me earlier the cheapest I'd be able to get away with was a buy 3 get 1 free deal that still totaled $630 for everything. I'm figuring I'll be at about $425 when all's said and done using tirerack and paying a place down the road to throw them on.

[Skip Towne]

On a related note, for a few years I kept having sidewalls blow out while there was a lot of tread left. It happened 7 or 8 times. So I started keeping 35 pounds of air in them and it hasn't happened since.

[Extra Point]

I bought 4 tires for the son's 99 Taurus a month ago. Affinity P205/65R15 60,000 miles rating: $480 from Firestone installed with road hazard, lifetime rotating and balancing. Wish us luck. I normally go with Goodyear, but they were $100 higher for a 50,000 mi tire.

[Bwana]

That is where I bought the "Blizzaks" for the Challenger, they are amazing tires.

I have four Blizzak winter dueler's I hang on my ford Super Duty for the winter season. They are the best snow tires I have ever had and I am a tire nut. They are proud of them, even with my connections, (I still have a tirerack wholesale account and most of the local tire dealers will still give me "car lot pricing") but are well worth it. Tires are something I have never skimped on. They are the only thing keeping you from sliding into the front of a big rig and or the ditch in the winter when you are on the road. With those things on there, you can climb a tree and they will keep you on the road.

Daface: If I would have seen this earlier, I would have said go look at tirerack as well, so you made a wise choice.

[Rain Man]

Dude, today I received 4 new tires, an oil change, and anual inspection for $315 at Texico

It may be a good deal, but I think DaFace's 3000 mile round trip would probably offset the savings.

[ncCHIEFfan]

You're right, I only travel maybe 10k a year in that ride.