This tire was on the van next to me at Verizon

[Challenger71]

Perhaps they are all future drag race superstar hopefuls?

Seriously, as SRT8 stated, it will get worse so you must become very defensive while driving and avoid driving in packs at all costs. I see pack driving more frequently than anything.

 

[KrisZ]

I think we will see this more often. We have econoboxes these days coming with 16-17 inch low profile tires, these will cost a lot to replace, so if people don't change the regular siezed tires, imagine thair reaction when it comes to replace those low profile babies.

 

[PeteTheFarmer]

"That street-legal racing-slick look without the expense!"

 

[Astro14]

For decent snow traction, you need 6/32" tread depth (snow tires are best, but regardless of tire type, you need 6/32"). For decent rain traction, you need 4/32". The wear bars show up at 2/32". This set? I would have to say 0/32" - good traction on clean, dry pavement...but that's it...

Economic times may be tough...but times are going to get much tougher for that family after a major crash caused by negelected tires...

My Dad used to say, "it's the cheap man who spends the most"...

yep.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: KrisZ
I think we will see this more often. We have econoboxes these days coming with 16-17 inch low profile tires, these will cost a lot to replace, so if people don't change the regular siezed tires, imagine thair reaction when it comes to replace those low profile babies.


No kidding. My fiancee was mad as anything when she found out how much 185/55-16 or 205/50-16 tires for her Fit will run her in the spring. $500 minimum for bargain-basement junk, $600 for a proper set of performance all-seasons. I hope we get more than the 28k miles we got out of the OEM Bridgestones.

With that tire cost plus whateve profit-maker TPMS fees get added on, it'll be expensive to do tires going forward. It's almost worth it to swap to the winter rubber and bring in the wheels loose so that way the retailer is more hesitant to charge any TPMS related fees.

 

[eljefino]

Around here that van owner would burn up the phone lines looking for the cheapest new tires around. The local gas station carries these awful Chinese things with about four mold seams on the tread that barely line up.

The idea of used tires doesn't cross anyone's mind. Lest I jinx myself I know where I can get good 14-15 inchers with 9/32" for $5-10.

It's not Craigslist.

Those morons think all the road hazard fees, probably TPMS also, and mounting adds value for the next buyer. Especially funny (sad?) are people who find 13 inchers in their basements left over from their 80s Escort and ask $50 each...

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: eljefino

Around here that van owner would burn up the phone lines looking for the cheapest new tires around. The local gas station carries these awful Chinese things with about four mold seams on the tread that barely line up.

The idea of used tires doesn't cross anyone's mind. Lest I jinx myself I know where I can get good 14-15 inchers with 9/32" for $5-10.

It's not Craigslist.

Those morons think all the road hazard fees, probably TPMS also, and mounting adds value for the next buyer. Especially funny (sad?) are people who find 13 inchers in their basements left over from their 80s Escort and ask $50 each...



Yikes!

 

[JustinH]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
I think we will see this more often. We have econoboxes these days coming with 16-17 inch low profile tires, these will cost a lot to replace, so if people don't change the regular siezed tires, imagine thair reaction when it comes to replace those low profile babies.


No kidding. My fiancee was mad as anything when she found out how much 185/55-16 or 205/50-16 tires for her Fit will run her in the spring. $500 minimum for bargain-basement junk, $600 for a proper set of performance all-seasons. I hope we get more than the 28k miles we got out of the OEM Bridgestones.

With that tire cost plus whateve profit-maker TPMS fees get added on, it'll be expensive to do tires going forward. It's almost worth it to swap to the winter rubber and bring in the wheels loose so that way the retailer is more hesitant to charge any TPMS related fees.


Take a look at Sams club. Its worth the 40 dollar membership if you don't already have one. Just watch their website, a few times a year they will have "instant rebates" on certain tires, which usually means that you end up buying 3 tires only and they give you the 4th one.

Their deals are usually only on BFG or Michelin tires, not so much on the cheaper goodyears.

 

[JustinH]

Originally Posted By: bigmike
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
There are used tire places that will sell you a used tire with remaining tread mount and balance and install the tire for around $30/a piece. There are at least 4 or 5 that I know of on the same side of town. ....


Heck no! I can't afford no $30 for a tire. I gotta' have unlimited text and internet on my phone that I just paid $120 for this month here at Verizon. Tires? unimportant. Text messaging? Necessity.

/Sarcasm


Let's not forget cable, satellite, designer shoes or clothing, a vehicle they can't afford, etc..

I see the same expenses being paid by people with children that look dirt poor too. My wife is a school teacher and sees children dressed like they live in the street, but their parent's pay for all the amenities listed above. Priorities are misplaced and several think I'm expected to feel pity? No thanks.


I see this quite a bit, I live the next neighborhood away from a very well to do area. People don't know what they would do without their $140/month television package, their iPhone plan, and dining out three nights per week. It's a shame really. My parents dressed me in Kmart clothes when I was young, and we learned the value in keeping them clean and making them last.

 

[Errtt]

The new pebble resistance tread pattern. No pebbles stuck between the tread - looks like it works.

 

[IndyIan]

Around here you can get 1/3 worn snow tires for $15-20 each. I bought a set for the Tracker for the summer as I want a bit better grass and rain traction than an average all season and I don't want to spend big money for real off road tires which I don't think will work any better for my uses.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
And we think that cars should have wide, low profile and EXPENSIVE tires when people cant even keep more standard sizes?



I prefer the better handling characteristics and looks of these types of tires. That patch of rubber is important.I do not like the overkill tire/rim packages you see like the 24" stuff.

But, yes you make a point, I can afford my tires, if I couldn't I wouldn't buy the car or the tire option. Problem is, other people will rather pay the cell phone and designer clothes bills over anything related to their cars. Kind of like the folks who bought too much house and had to foreclose.Sad thing is, that van could probably get a set of 4 low priced, but decent tires from Discount Tire for under $400.

 

[rpn453]

I recently replaced a set of winter tires on my mother's car that averaged 8/32 tread depth, because the studs and sipes weren't great anymore! Big improvement on ice and hard pack snow.

 

[mailman74]

Originally Posted By: tig1
This also happened to me recently. I was waiting in the car for my wife to pick up a couple of things at a milk store and noticed the car next to me had tires with no tread, and the front left had cord showing. When the woman came out I rolled down the window and mentioned to her about the bad tire. She thanked me, but said she just doesn't have money for tires. I felt sorry for her. Must have a hard life.
I feel for people like this we had hard times growing up its not easy when you cant meet your needs.

 

[Mr_Joe]

Yes, plenty or marginal tires out there on the road. Just hope your not near them when the have problems,while driving that is. I have helped people change flats a time or 2.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Originally Posted By: mailman74
Originally Posted By: tig1
mentioned to her about the bad tire. She thanked me, but said she just doesn't have money for tires. I felt sorry for her. Must have a hard life.
I feel for people like this we had hard times growing up its not easy when you cant meet your needs.


If you are diligent, you can find tires without spending a lot of money.

I just scored 4 "new" BFGs in 17" for free. I bought a set of Mustang take-offs for $333 on EBay and will sell the rims to break even.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...K%3AMESELX%3AIT

 

[Mr Nice]

Some people are so tight on money they can't afford the least expensive set of new tires for their vehicle.

 

[FordSVTGuy]

For some it is a constant struggle with finances. Don't neglect the car if it is your lifeline to a job or getting you back and forth to the grocery store. Get rid of cable and your cell phone for three months and you will have enough for a respectable set of tires that will last.

 

[Colt45ws]

Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
And we think that cars should have wide, low profile and EXPENSIVE tires when people cant even keep more standard sizes?



I prefer the better handling characteristics and looks of these types of tires. That patch of rubber is important.I do not like the overkill tire/rim packages you see like the 24" stuff.

But, yes you make a point, I can afford my tires, if I couldn't I wouldn't buy the car or the tire option. Problem is, other people will rather pay the cell phone and designer clothes bills over anything related to their cars. Kind of like the folks who bought too much house and had to foreclose.Sad thing is, that van could probably get a set of 4 low priced, but decent tires from Discount Tire for under $400.

+1! I run 18s in the summer, but I can afford it. Worst case scenario, I have the factory 16s with snows that I could throw some all-season 225/60R16 on, which are everywhere for $60 a pop.

 

[Craig in Canada]

Originally Posted By: FordSVTGuy
For some it is a constant struggle with finances. Don't neglect the car if it is your lifeline to a job or getting you back and forth to the grocery store. Get rid of cable and your cell phone for three months and you will have enough for a respectable set of tires that will last.


Also, don't forget that driving an unsafe vehicle doesn't just affect that vehicle owner. If you forego organic groceries, dining out, let a leaky roof slide or cancel your HD you only affect yourself. If you hit the road with bald tires you could just as easily kill me and my family and not just limit damages (financial or personal injury) to yourself.

This, in my mind, gives higher priority to road safety equipment and I wish that mandatory inspections would pull unsafe vehicles off the road. You're better off on the bus than dead. I have empathy for people enduring "hard times", but that doesn't give you the right to endanger my loved ones.