Used Tires Yea/nay?

"Agrajag" (Agrajag) 12/05/2013 at 23:24 • Filed to: 9c1

0

31

I'll most likely be selling this soon, and it needed tires badly. I went with used. Did I do wrong? It now has 3 out 4 matching tires which is driving me crazy. It would appease my OCD more if all 4 were different from each other. I'm usually super picky about the tires I get.

It is nice to drive it again though. Everything about it is so smooth. At highway speeds you are barely pressingthe throttle, it's great.

This is why I wasn't driving it.

PS9 > Agrajag 12/05/2013 at 23:27

2

Used tires are always a no-no for me. Here's my rule of thumb for car parts; if it fails at the wrong moment, could you/your passengers die as a result? If so, don't skimp.

Money everywhere is tight right now, but do everything in your power to keep away from used tires. They are a cheap band-aid at best.

dogisbadob > Agrajag 12/05/2013 at 23:29

0

In an emergency, there's nothing wrong with them. I have a used tire as a spare (I'm fortunate enough to have a full-size spare)

dogisbadob > Agrajag 12/05/2013 at 23:29

1

awesome hood ornament

thebigbossyboss > PS9 12/05/2013 at 23:30

0

Disagree. Used tires are like anything. Sure there is crap out there. That's why you bring a coin to check the tread depth. You're going to get them mounted at a shop anyways to your rims, so if there is some type of ridiculous problem, or they don't either hold air or bulge like mofo's the shop will notice.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > dogisbadob 12/05/2013 at 23:37

1

I also have a used as my spare. didn't want to spend full coin on another 37" tire. Never used it but its held air for over 2 years so I'm happy.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Agrajag 12/05/2013 at 23:38

0

Oh god...that DARE front plate..

Agrajag > PS9 12/05/2013 at 23:39

0

Normally I'm the same way. They weren't CL specials or the like. I got them through a tire shop, and they are in almost new condition, and good brands. If I decide to keep it I will definitely get something decent on there though.

Agrajag > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 12/05/2013 at 23:40

3

It's an old police car, that I bought from a retired police officer. I felt I should leave it on there.

PS9 > thebigbossyboss 12/05/2013 at 23:40

0

Correction: Used tires are like anything used. Because they are worn, they are significantly less safe than a new tire would be. A mere tread depth check is not going to tell you whether or not the tire is too old to be safely used again. It's not going to show you those nigh-invisible dry rot lines that grow to huge cracks like in the OPs picture. You can't always count on issues with catastrophic potential to make themselves blindingly obvious because sometimes, they fail to be apparent until it's to late. Life comes at you fast.

Agrajag > dogisbadob 12/05/2013 at 23:42

2

Thanks. Here is a better pic.

Birddog > Agrajag 12/05/2013 at 23:43

2

I haven't bought "new" tires in close to 10 years.
The key, before they mount any used tire, is to look at the DOT code(age), tread wear, sidewall issues and to look inside the carcass for odd stuff like crumbling rubber.
If you're selling soon you should make sure the buyer knows they need new shoes all the way around.

Agrajag > Birddog 12/05/2013 at 23:45

0

The few people asking about it(all friends) I made well aware of the fact it needed tires, among other things.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Agrajag 12/05/2013 at 23:51

1

I usually always go new. HOWEVER, I am leasing my 2013 Civic. 3 years, 36,000 miles. You will need tires right around the end of the lease. I see myself putting them on to save some money and leave the dealer happy. Otherwise, I'd say go new. Also, that only 3 mathing stuff would piss me off. Either all or none match.

Agrajag > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 12/05/2013 at 23:54

1

I started at the drivers side. "Okay, those two match." Walk around the front. "That one matches." Looks at passenger rear. "Son of bitch bastard."

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Agrajag 12/05/2013 at 23:55

0

I'm just lucky becuase my Civic is a bse LX, it has 15"... the tires new cost $62 a piece at TireRack... so it may be cheaper to ge tnew ones.. I just don't want to help the dealer like that (since I will not be buying her after 3 years)

Agrajag > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 12/06/2013 at 00:01

1

That is a good price. This is also 15's, but cheapest I could find new were $85 each. Ended up being $120 for all 4 installed.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Agrajag 12/06/2013 at 00:06

1

Being from the 21st century, fuel economy is everything... it has these bad Firestone Fuel Fighter low rolling resistance crap... they are so thin... but for the price

Takuro Spirit > Agrajag 12/06/2013 at 07:35

1

I run used tires on the Camry during the warmer months. So long as there aren't any repairs done and the mount and balance okay, I don't see the harm.

I have the added bonus of working for a shop, so I know where and what the tires came from, so there's that though.

Slave2anMG > Agrajag 12/06/2013 at 07:50

0

How many miles on the beast? Condition and all that because inquiring jalops wanna know....

OtherBarry > Agrajag 12/06/2013 at 07:58

1

I get used all the time now. Take offs are CHEAP!

Agrajag > Slave2anMG 12/06/2013 at 09:03

0

Approximately 114k. Digital speedometer and odometer stopped working in the 112k area.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > Agrajag 12/06/2013 at 10:09

1

If you are selling, that is pretty much what I would do. The stigma of the used/not matching tires thing is non car people doing it. Like when I bought my Accord, 3 tires were 155's, and there was a winter 185 on the back, which had a cracked sidewall. I was like, wtf is this shit? As long as they aren't too old, got some tread, and are the correct tire for the season you are golden.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 12/06/2013 at 10:11

0

I've always wondered, why would someone lease as opposed to buying? I'm actually very curious because I've never heard it from someone who has leased a car before.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom 12/06/2013 at 11:32

0

My Civic, Chloe, is my first car. We (myself and my grandma, who i "share" the car with every few months) were looking for months. Our budget was around $6500. Honestly, the cars were shit. Scams and lies and falling apart. Nothing someone would want for that much money (except for this Volvo 240 which I fell in love with, but grandma said no becuase it was too slow). Anyway, after giving up, we decided to consider leasing. I have a 2013 LX sedan with the auto (grnamda won't drive stick) and got it for $200 a month for 36 months. That equates to $7200 over three years; only $700 more than my budget. I'm getting around 35 MPG city in it and all my repairs are covered by warranty. Virtually any used car would have most likely cost more in gas or repairs alone. For a first car, it was a no brainer. Plus, it is cheaper to insure since I get discounts on insurance for things like ABS, backup camera, multiple airbags, etc.
Is it boring? Yes. Is it fast? Not really. But, for three years, it'll be fine. After the lease, I will be 18 and can get anything I want...
For some people, it isn't great. I get 12000 miles a year; but my school and work are not far; I put about 600 a month on.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 12/06/2013 at 11:39

1

You know when you break it down like that you can't go wrong. I have never though about leasing before because you have to give the car back, but if you are young with a small budget it does make sense. And + many for naming your car and having a civic as your first, my first was also a civic, granted it was an 89 hot hatch but still. And to be honest you can't really go wrong with a civic, they are always a safe bet. What you looking at for your next?

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom 12/06/2013 at 11:53

0

I wish they had the hatch in America.. and for what it is, it is great. I love having Bluetooth, backup cameras, and a ton of visibility. For my next car, I'm hoping for a convertible. I love them. Most likely, it'll be a Volvo C70 (hopefully a newer one with the hardtop). I also love Volvos.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 12/06/2013 at 12:11

1

Volvo's are pretty awesome, I was pretty pissed when an 80's DL 240 for 700 bucks got away from me, and you looking for a soft or hard top? And how is it having a backup camera? I have never owned a vehicle with one before

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom 12/06/2013 at 12:21

0

I looked at so many of them.. I almost got a 1998 V70R (with an auto so grandma would approve) with 120,000 miles and one owner, but it $500 over budget and was sold before I could look at it. Jet black with black suede; I was in love. The 240 was awesome for $1500; I loved the blue cloth. I like the hardtop since they are more coupelike so quieter with the top up and less leaks.
The camera is really nice. It has a wide lens, so it can sometimes see around cars that you cannot. It really comes in handy though when parking. THe spots when backing out are tight and sometimes you cannot judge your distance from his bumper to yours. It clearly shows. And parallel parking is nice since it always shows curbs. Plus, insurance discount!

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 12/06/2013 at 12:23

1

Yeah Volvo's dont last long where I'm at either (DC).

And that is awesome, I usually only own old cars so backing up is somewhat difficult sometimes, and I don't get any of those awesome discounts, because out of 3 cars, only one of them has airbags.

thebigbossyboss > PS9 12/06/2013 at 13:27

0

I am not advocating he buy bald tires. If you are worried about the tire being old, you can always check when it was made on the side wall, which will tell you the month and year of manufacture.

mcseanerson > Agrajag 12/10/2013 at 00:48

0

The only time I don't buy used is when traction is really important and I'm replacing all 4. Most of the time the used tires are fine but for winter driving on the highway or performance driving I would go new but only if you buy all 4. I hate buying 1-3 new tires and having mixed age of wear and/or brands.