Used tires vs new conundrum and questions

Status
Not open for further replies.

bill3

Junior Member
Jan 28, 2008
17
0
0
My best friend is a girl who is currently in nursing school, money is tight, also, her sort-of husband (long story) doesn't much like me, or even know she really has contact with me anymore, we all used to work together and it's a long story...

Anyways husband guy is a bit of idiot IMO and doesn't much take care of her so to speak, but she stays with him, it is what it is. Ok the point is they have 2 vehicles, one is late model (that he normally drives to work) and the other is a crappy beat up 98 4runner that is usually left to her and the kids (she has a 1 yr old and 6 yr old). Knowing this car is somewhat unsafe she basically tries to only drive it when necessary, but sometimes it is.

Anyways the 4runner has 4 really bald tires on it, really bad. Husband guy as mentioned is an idiot and almost certainly will never do anything about it, they are always "broke" even though they both have pretty decent blue collar jobs, because he handles the money and spends it as fast as it comes in. The 4 runner sat with a minor electrical problem in their apt parking lot for like 6 months before he even bothered to look at it as he's lazy and plays video games all day when not at work. Recently one of the tires went flat and again he let it sit for like 2 months until naturally one day they needed two vehicles and had no recourse, he "fixed" it by dumping a can of fix a flat in it.

Too add to that the 4runner has other issues, apparently she says it's hard to steer (power steering going out I assume) and has a pretty bad oil leak. She claims it runs generally well besides those though.

So, reluctantly given the hubby situation, and understanding she is getting through nursing school, and worried about the safety of her and her young kids on those bald tires, I decided to help her out, over the last few weeks I've been exploring options to help her out and get some decent tires on the vehicle (especially before it gets cold/rainy/slushy, we live in Texas). Now, given the shape the vehicle is in, I dont feel like it's necessarily worth it or wise to drop $440 on brand new tires for it. It could stop running tomorrow, or dumb hubby could grow a wild hair and decide out of the blue to sell it (apparently he almost did a few weeks ago, even though they have no other transportation options and REALLY need 2 vehicles given they both work and attend school). It's one of those things were the car itself you feel like is barely worth $440. Not only that but I'm not rich myself, and not hankering to spend any more than necessary.

SO I went looking for used tires, called around, chains dont seem to have used tires in popular sizes, found a couple used tire places in the seedier side of town, one of them had 4 tires in the size I need for $45 apiece, on inspecting them though all 4 have completely different tread patterns. One of them has a lot of chunky tread in very...odd pattern, the other three dont have too much tread, better than the current tires of course, if I was to guesstimate on the three maybe they have 4 or 5/32 tread? They are definitely above the wear bars, but not by a huge amount either.

Also I tried to research if the different tread patterns on the used tires would be an issue via some googling, results mixed. Some say yes others no.

So yeah, I'm not thrilled with any of my options here about these tires, any advice? Should I go for the used ones, or maybe just put two brand new ones on (should run about $220, about $110 per for new tires) for now to lessen the hit on pocketbook?

Late edit: After writing this post I was googling more and found these http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-New-235-7...fb8b8e9&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=201092842979 May be a good middle ground if anybody has comments. Kenda seems to be a low cost chinese brand but what little customer feedback I've found on them on the web so far looks good. Surely better than her current tires.
 
Last edited:

natto fire

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2000
7,117
10
76
I'm not sure if this is an L&R thread or a Garage thread. If the latter, then tires are VERY important, and the route you are trying to pursue will be either fruitless or you will get ripped off. Any used tire place I have ever seen is located in a ghetto and playing to impoverished people to try to make a buck.

If I was in your situation (hope I never am) then I would just tell her, or the boyfriend that tires are very important, and not to bother buying an SUV if you cannot afford to put decent tires on it.

Not sure how else I can help, as I have been there trying to help a dumbass friend who thinks tires literally grow on trees. Most tires have very little natural rubber, FYI.
 

eng2d2

Golden Member
Nov 7, 2013
1,007
38
91
Too bad you could have bought new tires 2 weeks ago for the price of the old ones you quoted. For the vehicle condition you mention you might try craigslist. YOu might also find some cheap korean or chinese new tires for it. Try discount tire direct.
 

bill3

Junior Member
Jan 28, 2008
17
0
0
If anybody cares I think I've decided to go with Discount tire (the chain, not online). They quoted me 340 for 4 and 170 for 2, new, installed out the door, on the phone. Which isn't horrible. They also told me they charge 25 per tire to install if you bring your own tires! Which I had assumed $12-$15 for that. Maybe some mom n pop's charge less to install tires but I'm not going to mess with it too much.

$25 per pop to install makes used/online tires not much of a deal. $45 used tires (which basically looked like crap) become $70 after install, where Discount is charging me only $85 each to install brand new ones.

Edit: for Butch1 who just posted, thanks but that price is for "asheville", when I put in my zip those same tires become magically $67, and for 4 installed $364, and as above I was already quoted a better deal.

While $340 is a lot to put into a junker car, at least the fact it's $100 less than what I had assumed the cost would be for new tires softens the blow.

Anyways this sees to make the most sense out of the options I have. At least this way they are new, safe tires etc.
 
Last edited:

BUTCH1

Lifer
Jul 15, 2000
20,433
1,769
126
If anybody cares I think I've decided to go with Discount tire (the chain, not online). They quoted me 340 for 4 and 170 for 2, new, installed out the door. Ehich isn't horrible. They also told me they charge 25 per tire to install if you bring your own tires! Which I had assumed $12-$15 for that. Maybe some mom n pop's charge less to install tires but I'm not going to mess with it too much.

$25 per pop to install makes used/online tires not much of a deal. $45 used tires (which basically looked like crap) become $70 after install, where Discount is charging me only $85 to install brand new ones.

I think the $25/tire deal is a big "fuck you" to tirerack LOL.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.