Not-snow Tires: What to do?

Stein

Stein

Stein
Before I buy a set of WRX 5-spoke wheels (16"x6.5" fyi, and are they worth $175 if they were involved in an accident? They look fine but at least one of the front tires went flat), I want to make sure I'm going to have enough money for good tires.

Basically, I've found some tires for mid-$60s each, and then there's some for low 70s and some for 80 each.

Off of Tirerack, what is best to do? I'm looking to stay around these prices, but if there's something for $85 that is absolutely worth the $80 over something that's 60 each, or absolutely worth the $32 over something that's $72 each, then I'll invest the money.

Are used tires generally a no-no?

 
Are the wheels un-mounted? If so put them on a concrete cellar floor and roll 'em. If they are warped or bent you will know right away. Watch the hub mounting area and see if it looks "wobbly" as the wheel rolls. If they are straight offer 125-150. The worst he says is NO. Start low, work up.

I bought a set of used winter tires that were great. Used 'em 3-4 winters, sold them with the car and they have at least 2-3 more winters. I bought a set of used summer/allseason that I used for a summer, maybe two, but I payed accordingly. If the used tires are mounted and holding air, look for cracks on the sidewall, bulges or bubbles.

 
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I believe the tires are off, but I'm not sure. The pictures are of them on the wrecked car.

By the mounting area, you mean the 5 lug holes?

 
Yeah, and the flat place that mounts against where the lugs are on the car. If the wheel/spokes are warped, you could roll them, and the bead/rim/tire area might roll straight while the inner area might not look straight. My point is, don't just look at the outer rim, look them over closely. Watch for anything that looks like a crack, too.

I have bought 2 sets of used wheels, both in good shape. Again, look 'em over closely, twice, and then again.

 
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got it, thanks.

Now, what to do about tires
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?

 
I know this seems too simple, and I don't mean to be condescending, but if you have $300 to spend, buy $300 worth of tires. My point is If I were you, high shooler with limited funds, I would set an amount and stick to it.

And if you are shopping tirerack or any other web source, add the shipping and whatever it will cost you to get them mounted to your total. Some garages charge a little more to mount and balance customer supplied tires. ALSO SHOP YOUR LOCAL TIRE SUPPLIERS!! I have bought locally before for the same or less than a web source, and I spent locally, with someone that will support me.

Just my opinion.

 
I know sears will price match the Rack, but not if the Rack doesn't carry tire model "X" or whatever. I was going to check other places too.

 
Just get a used set already mounted and balanced. I've seen dozens for sale on craigslist. Hell, I remember posting 5 sets in that thread back in the fall. You're looking at a pair of dented up rims? Why bother messing with that when you can do it right in the first place and troll nasioc or craigslist for a set that's ready to bolt on.
Buy from Tirerack? Guess what you pay shipping. Buy seperate tires and find rims local? Guess what you're paying to mount and balance.

Used tires are fine. If there was an issue with them do you think anyone would be buying used tires from other members on this forum?

Didn' you post a few times saying you had a second set of 15'' rims? If you don't want to find snow tires already mounted on rims, just go to VIP or Tirewarehouse and get tires for your 15" rims you already have. 15''s are fine for winter, you only want fat tires when you run high performance all seasons, or dedicated summers.

I coulda sworn we had a huge ass thread that already covered winter tires back in the fall when everyone was zomg'ing about snow.

 
Well I specifically said "not" snow tires. I want all-seasons or summers. Also, the wheels don't look bad.

I'm looking for RS 5/6 spokes, WRX 5-spokes (because they're cheap
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), and LGT "snowflake" wheels. I finally found a set of WRX wheels close, but it sounds like I should wait for some with tires?

And also, if I could swap my all seasons onto new wheels I would, but my wheels are 15" and all the stock ones I'm looking at are 16."

 
durrr durrr durrrr I'm bad at reading comprehension. Wait for something used and ready to go to pop up. It's freakin' December. You don't need fat meats till spring.

 
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:I guess.
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Don't rush it dude. Nice summer meats would just sit in your room or in a shed in a stack anyway. Why blow your cash now and pay way too much when you can hold out for a good deal. When spring comes around you'll either have already found a killer deal on a used set, or you can start thinking about paying more for brand new stuff.

Being patient right now is win win. Don't forget "spring cleaning" is synonymous with "mad tyte discount yo"

 
Unless people are selling their summer wheels/tires now because they won't need them for a few more months...

What are Yokohama S-Drives like? And how will their total diameter compare to stock for my car? They're 225/50/16 and mine stock are 195/(ocrapifergot)/15

 
I bought my winter tires used from gclark in the summer and they are awesome! I trust the folks here in the club when it comes to buying, most here are trust worthy! Dan has a good point too, if you're getting new gear for the summer time, wait till the spring...super bargin-basement deals will be had fo shizzle.

 
i got Town Fair Tire to price match Tire Rack at their Portland store. Their selection isn't as good, but the folks were friendly and the price (sans shipping) was right.

 
if you find the rims to be ok then look locally for used if you really are tight for cash. but if you can go $80 a tire new i got some artic claws for my eclipse when i had that, they worked great and were 80 or 85 a piece. i liked them and my lil sis has them on the eclipse now..i gave her the car...also talk to your guy at your local shop and see if he will mount for a trade for some other service, or to pay him later when you have more cash so its not quite a dent at one time. i usually help removing the wheels, cleaning the tires to put on, balance and remounting the wheels. i usually get 10-15 off the usual mount balance price. hopefully he'll teach me to run the tire machine soon too
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Arctic claws are insane snow tires, I have pics of them in my car thread mounted on my car.

But for tires I've heard NEAD has some really good deals. Check them out, they're right here on this site!

 
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