by "Berang" (berang)
Published 03/28/2017 at 23:04
by "Berang" (berang)
Published 03/28/2017 at 23:04
Tags: tires
STARS: 6
Apparently it’s not common knowledge that buying used tires is a bad idea. Usually . Not all the time, but like 99.9% of the time. If you’re replacing your spare, or you need a tire for off-road use, or just to get a car rolling so you can move it: Sure, save your money, buy used. But for actual daily use, generally not a good idea.
Here’s the problem, tires can have all sorts of issues that make them unsafe, or at least give rise to annoyances in use - which are not visible just from looking at them. If you’re not totally clueless you can check simple things like the date code on the tire, the depth of the tread and look for cracking or dry rot. But there are also problems which won’t be apparent until you’ve mounted the tires, like whether the tire is out of round, or has a slipped belt, both of which will make your car ride and handle like crap. Ever bought a used car that pulled like it needed an alignment? Probably just needed new tires. Further these issues may be symptoms of worse problems like a tire that’s about to suffer tread separation.
Another issue is that tires get “used to” the vehicle they’re used on. If the tire was used on a vehicle with bad alignment, they wear accordingly. Put them on another vehicle, and it messes with its handling. Old tires can be bad enough when on the vehicle they’ve spent the last two or three (or more) years on, they’re even worse when you swap them onto a different one.
For the most part shops that sell used will be on the look out for obvious problems like aged tires, or unevenly worn tires from poorly aligned vehicles. And if they’re honest they’ll let you bring a tire back if it turns out to be a piece of shit. Not everybody wants to screw you over for a couple bucks. But on the other hand, some of them just want to clear up some space, get shit tires out of the way, and take some of your money at the same time. Basically getting you to pay them for your taking their garbage. So if you have to buy used, be careful and check the tires yourself, don’t trust that anybody else has.
Now when do used tires make sense? Replacing your ten year old spare tire. Replacing the dry rotted tires on your backyard project vehicle. When one of your tires got damaged but you don’t have money for a new one (or the other three are sufficiently worn that buying a single new one would be pointless). When you’ve got a fun-vehicle that is rarely used, or only used off road. When you want to try out a new tire, but you want to “sample” it first (even though for the reasons above this may not be the best idea). For your daily driver? Usually not a good idea. And even if you do get a good set of used tires for your daily, you’re still getting a used product, which won’t last as long or be as new, and which if it fails you’re usually SOL, and you’re going to be paying the mounting cost again when you replace it, so was the money saved really worth it?
Tires are about the worst part of a vehicle to cut corners on. Whether they’re new or used, there’s no point fixing a vehicle up if you’re going to put tires on that make it ride and handle like crap. I’m a poor-ass dude, and even I won’t settle for old tires, even if it means buying one tire at a time on each successive paycheck, that’s still money better spent and less time wasted than messing around with tires that may have been somebody else’s problem.
"Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch" (bman76)
03/28/2017 at 23:10, STARS: 2
I’ve never understood why anyone would think buying used tires is a good idea.
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
03/28/2017 at 23:12, STARS: 0
Because drifting yo. But actually, I bought a set for $30 to throw on whenever I’m in the mood for excessive donuts/sick drifts/slides/burnouts
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
03/28/2017 at 23:14, STARS: 2
Drift enthusiasts make up a substantial portion. Especially the guys who are serious about improving and competing, but are still at the amateur level
"Flavien Vidal" (flyingfrenchy)
03/28/2017 at 23:14, STARS: 1
Because you go through sets in less than 5000km anyway and when the tires you normally use are 600$ or more for a set, slightly used ones for 200$ is a pretty damn good deal?
It’s what I often do... I rarely treat myself with new tires. Only once did i end up with a tire that was pretty much impossible to balance.
"Berang" (berang)
03/28/2017 at 23:16, STARS: 0
Track use is a different thing altogether.
"XJDano" (xjdano)
03/28/2017 at 23:17, STARS: 1
I’ve bought used tires. I usually know what I’m getting, don’t expect them to last long, and usually a set of new tires are worth more than the car or another car. Just because I haven’t had problems with them doesn’t mean everyone will have my experience. I have used take offs on my daily now, but they were almost new when I got them.
I’d like to find a set of take offs for my wife’s van, (to have a second set of wheels) but no one upgrades a caravan.
"Berang" (berang)
03/28/2017 at 23:17, STARS: 2
That is a good way to get rid of shitty old tires.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
03/28/2017 at 23:19, STARS: 1
A previous employer of mine LOVED to get used tires every time a fleet truck was in need of some new rubber. There was one time, ONE TIME, when they miraculously scored a full set of used tires that looked like they might actually last a while. ...and then they decided to skimp on the alignment. It only took a few weeks for the front tires of that truck to show signs of uneven wear.
"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
03/28/2017 at 23:19, STARS: 2
I got lucky with used tires. I scored Michelin x-ice xi3s w/wheels for my old Soinc for $500. 2000kms on them, wheels looked new. For my Juke I found Toyo Observe GSi5 w/ wheels for $600. They had 2500kms on them, they new how 15,000kms on them & have been problem free.
I get why people are hesitant to buy used tires. You just need to be paitent, know what to look for, & ask lots of questions.
"Flavien Vidal" (flyingfrenchy)
03/28/2017 at 23:20, STARS: 0
I do understand it when you drive a “regular” car with tires that last 20 or 30000 km. Tires I use usually have to be changed after 5000km. That gets expensive. I rarely treat myself with new tires because of that. 600$ for a set that will last me 5 or 6000km? or 200$ for a set that will last 4 to 5000km? Especially with soft or medium compounds, lots of people throw them away with quite a bit of life left because they don’t perform as well as when they’re brand new. And if you’ve ever been to Japan, you’d quickly see that Japanese have some kind of soft spot for tires and change them constantly (I’ve never seen as many tire shop per inhabitant than in Japan lol).
If I were to have a car with very long lasting tires, I would definitely go for new tires all the time... But now, I stick with “good used” tires with 70 or 80% of thread left most of the time.
"Nothing" (nothingatalluseful)
03/28/2017 at 23:20, STARS: 2
Winter tires. I’ll buy them used. Most are up for sale because the owner sold their previous car and they don’t fit their new one. Most see low miles (except for people that keep them on year round).
The guy that bought my nasty old Primewell tires from the Cougar bought em to make his Mustang project a roller.
"Berang" (berang)
03/28/2017 at 23:21, STARS: 2
Very saving. Much economy. Wow.
"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
03/28/2017 at 23:21, STARS: 0
My last two sets of winter tires were both used and were flawless. Currently looking at a set of used All Seasons that I am going to look at tomorrow. If there is anything wrong with them I will walk away, but the guy claims 95% tread and if they check out $150 for a set of 4 vs. $300-$400 is a pretty good deal I would say!
"Berang" (berang)
03/28/2017 at 23:22, STARS: 0
If you know you’re going to get rid of them in short order, then you know you don’t need them to last.
"Flavien Vidal" (flyingfrenchy)
03/28/2017 at 23:24, STARS: 1
I rarely go to the track anymore as I’m now working lol... But japanese roads do turn a bit more than US ones for sure :)
"Flavien Vidal" (flyingfrenchy)
03/28/2017 at 23:25, STARS: 0
Yeah I bought my snow tires used too... I use them 3 days a year anyway so...
"Flavien Vidal" (flyingfrenchy)
03/28/2017 at 23:26, STARS: 0
No, but tires that take a beating do need to be in good shape and form... used tires can be problematic with that...
"Berang" (berang)
03/28/2017 at 23:27, STARS: 0
I don’t know, sounds more like your car is broken then. ;-)
"Berang" (berang)
03/28/2017 at 23:28, STARS: 1
Or just buy proper tires and be done with it.
"Flavien Vidal" (flyingfrenchy)
03/28/2017 at 23:29, STARS: 0
haha, it’s fine but a couple hours of mountain roads driving here is quite hard on tires...
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
03/28/2017 at 23:29, STARS: 1
My folks used to buy retreaded tires, total shit. We had them on a farm truck and they were okay but I never took that truck over 45 mph. Mom had some on the Buick and one came apart. It was nearly a disaster.
"Little Black Coupe Turned Silver" (littleblackcoupe)
03/28/2017 at 23:30, STARS: 0
I’ve been running used race scrubs on my car at the track for at least 3 years now and I’m still alive.
$400 a set compared to $400 a tire new? No comparison.
"Berang" (berang)
03/28/2017 at 23:35, STARS: 0
There are some good quality re-treads available today. The problem was that years ago (and I’m sure still sometimes today) a lot of places would retread tires that were already faulty to try and cover up problems.
"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
03/28/2017 at 23:37, STARS: 1
They were proper tires, winter was coming & I needed winter tires. The Michelins would have been $1,350 new(w/ wheels), the Toyos would have been $1200 new (w/ wheels). Both have been great w/o problems.
"Berang" (berang)
03/28/2017 at 23:37, STARS: 3
And you use these to commute to work every day on public roads?
Awesome, you properly understood the subject of the post.
"Little Black Coupe Turned Silver" (littleblackcoupe)
03/28/2017 at 23:40, STARS: 1
You made a post saying to never buy used tires. I pointed out that not all of them are so horrible.
"Berang" (berang)
03/28/2017 at 23:40, STARS: 1
Cool story.
"Berang" (berang)
03/28/2017 at 23:40, STARS: 4
You didn’t read the post apparently. Or it seems even the first paragraph.
"Berang" (berang)
03/28/2017 at 23:48, STARS: 0
Mountains are known to have that effect on tires, in Japan anyway.
"Berang" (berang)
03/28/2017 at 23:51, STARS: 0
Winter tires are a bit of a different scenario. Because they’re not supposed to last like or be used like summer tires or all seasons. Which means it’s less likely some numpty was driving around with them underinflated on a poorly aligned car for 15,000 miles before you got your hands on them.
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
03/29/2017 at 00:10, STARS: 0
The best way. That said with my 15x8 wheels even the most expensive top of the line, sticky tires I can buy are about $100-200 each, brand new. Can’t really complain compared to a lot of the people here dropping 1600 for mediocre allseasons haha
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
03/29/2017 at 00:15, STARS: 0
I bought my winters used, through a mechanic I know from one of his customers that only used them for most of one season. I’m pretty pleased with them.
"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
03/29/2017 at 00:22, STARS: 0
Why do I get the sense that you don’t own anything that can do a burnout? :p.
"Not a Sunburst Miata" (moezsayani)
03/29/2017 at 00:26, STARS: 0
Where do you find used race tires? I’m starting to track my BRZ more seriously and the MPSS just aren’t letting me push as hard as I want.
"SOCdriver" (socdriver)
03/29/2017 at 00:39, STARS: 1
My friend wanted to buy used to save a buck on his commuter car. I told him if he purchased used tires I would beat him to death with a tire iron on the 405. Costco had a tire deal that weekend and he got all new tires.
"Little Black Coupe Turned Silver" (littleblackcoupe)
03/29/2017 at 00:43, STARS: 0
I get mine from GT Racing Tires. http://gttrackdays.com/sell/ Their website is a little outdated and they never list their inventory anyways since it’s always changing. I know they have a large supply of fresh Hoosier R7s. Give Todd a call and see if they have something that will work for you.
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
03/29/2017 at 03:11, STARS: 0
Counterpoint: I mount my tires myself and look for recent tires with a lot of thread left.
1: Luck out on having the necessary equipment
2: Buy used tires
3: Profit! :)
A few weeks ago, I scored a set of less then a year old Pirelli P7s with 8mm of thread left for 200€. they came from a new car that had it’s tires changed for 4 season tires, since it wasn’t driven enough to justify a set of dedicated winter tires.
"Dru" (therealkennyd)
03/29/2017 at 09:53, STARS: 0
When my Jeep got a hole in the front tire that couldn’t be patched, I was kind of screwed. It’s a full time 4wd, so allowable variance in tread depth from one tire to the next is like 1/16 inch, so I couldn’t just buy one new tire, or even two, for risk of damaging the t case. I found the exact same tire used on eBay with tread depth within 1/32 inch. A gamble, sure, but being broke as a joke at the time, my options were few.
Now I’m just normal broke, so I’ll get a new set soon enough. But that got me through. YMMV.
"Jojo" (fred-of-the-woods)
04/24/2019 at 16:24, STARS: 0
Used tires are like used condoms.
1:Someone else got all the fun out of them.
2:They came off f or a reason.
3:You probably shouldn’t pick th em up with your bare hands.
"will.b.brown" (willbbrown)
04/26/2019 at 22:24, STARS: 0
I have only bought used tires for several years . I have six vehicles. They must meet all the criteria mentioned in the story plus the set must match and no more than 1 or 2 32nds tread depth worn off. I bought a set of 4 Michelins rated for 90,000 miles for $200 last year. And s everal other deals just like that. You’re not so smart.
"The Jalopnicktrinehead" (lenfan)
04/26/2019 at 23:04, STARS: 0
The author of this tire article is a crude talker and not a good student either. Good minds can observe, study and analyze subjects and information. Good used tires can be found and bought for a small fraction of the cost of a new tire. Buying a defective used tire is possible but like the last set of tires it is replaceable also. The value decision is, do you want to go through these steps “work effort” to arrive at a cost effective solution to your own budget answer. Used tires work. They are also fuel efficient. The number one problem with the used tire context is that the last half or third of the tread is harder than the first half or two thirds. The result is during wet weather the tires have less traction. Y ou could wind up arriving at the scene of a traffic collision like Chevy Chase slid directly into the front door of a local Wal Mart on a snow scoot dish at Christmas, and YOU could become directly involved with the accident for some strange reason also . Succintly , strange things can happen to nice people so be certain that you are a good and safe driver before deciding to pioneer good used tires. In conclusion, what we can say is, such a business experience just might do you some good, or maybe not. Only time will tell...
"The Jalopnicktrinehead" (lenfan)
04/26/2019 at 23:12, STARS: 0
I bought a set of Primewells once. I aired them three times up to this point (12 years). I still have them but with only 12,000 miles on them and considerably cracked I don’t know if I will ever be able to sell them. I don’t know what to do about it. They're really good tires.
"will.b.brown" (willbbrown)
04/26/2019 at 23:24, STARS: 0
Don't strain yourself
"Billy Yrigoyen" (billysspur)
07/13/2019 at 11:59, STARS: 0
I buy used tires when ever i need a tire and I've never had one issue with them. Never had a blow out never not been round no dry rot and the tread has been close to new