Used tires - where do you buy them?

[Linctex]

I buy used tires all the time.

I generally avoid singles (unless the seller is reputable) because you can't infer much about it's history without seeing it's mates.

Buying a full set of 4 (where you can see all 4 have no uneven wear patterns) is usually the safest bet.

I have honestly been "burned" (per se) only once in 20+ years, and the tire store actually gave my money back (yes, on a used one!)

and another tire store swapped a "comparable" one for free.

- - - with 3 pickups, 5 tractors, a large dump truck, 3 cars, 3 trailers, and two motorcycles - - I am always in the market for good used tires.
I would spend a fortune If I had to buy new for everything.

 

[SatinSilver]

Discount Tire has offered to sell me some used tires for $200-300(4) and the size was even a little different. They keep them in the back stock area. I forget the exact price since it was a few years ago.

 

[Fitter30]

Tire manufacturers recommend replacing tires every 7 years. So if you go with used keep that in mind. Years ago i purchased a set of used tires that looked almost new. Had two flats in a week both didn't find anything in the tires. Then i purchased a new set.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

FB marketplace. CL.

We do have a place that advertises free used tires.

Of course when google went by they were getting their parking lot paved

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.3769284,-76.1523545,3a,75y,45.08h,67.51t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1immt0gd_Rv4wB6myClCFQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

 

[SirTanon]

They're all over the place in central and southern Phoenix. It's nuts.

I don't plan on buying from any of them, but I do pass them frequently while driving around town. Decent new tires are cheap enough - why would I want to buy used just to save a few bucks?

 

[PandaBear]

craigslist, mom and pop tire shops, immigrant non franchise tire shops, used car dealers, ebay (only check for local), etc.

Most of the time the savings are not worth it, unless you have one worn tire and need to match the set of 4 to the same one, and you found a matching one online. Or you are trying to find a matching set to return the car at the end of a lease, so new tire is a waste of money.

Originally Posted by JohnnyJohnson
What's your family's life worth?


Do you buy a new set of tire every year? every 2 years? every 3 years? Do you buy a new car every 3 years because new cars have better safety rating?

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted by ARCOgraphite
Drive behind a new car dealer service bay area . There is usually a pile of mostly half-worn tire there. Just don't take one with dayglo SLIME in it.


They may use them to outfit the worn out lease / trade in instead of brand new tires, don't assume they have to get rid of them for almost nothing.

 

[Pew]

I get them from either craigslist or FB marketplace. But I always inspect them in person before buying for punctures/damage/alignment wear. Off Craigslist I got a full set of nearly brand new 215/50r-17 winter tires already mounted/balanced on steelies for $200 because they didn't fit his FoST front brakes. Off FB Marketplace I bought another set of <3000mi used General Altimax Arctics for $200 because it didn't fit on the lady's new Rav4.

 

[Jim K]

nowhere

 

[Traction]

Unless they are fresh good quality take-offs, used tires cost so much more. Had a customer a few years ago that paid $100 for used 10 year old tires from a salvage yard with full tread depth that had sat flat, and he thought he scored a great deal. After mounting them, I saw a 1/2 inch of run-out in them and it took 1/2 pound of weight to balance. After a week he came back and wanted me to put new tires on. THAT would have been a much better deal after paying for mounting, balancing, and tire disposal twice!!!

 

[atikovi]

Drove 3 hours tonight to pick up these 2017 Jeep Sahara wheels and tires for my older Wrangler. Didn't even haggle on the price.

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/wto/6917896467.html

 

[Mad_Hatter]

Originally Posted by skyactiv
There are used tire shops in the larger cities in the bad areas of town.

Exactly.. I got a set of used tires for an old Ford Ranger I had, for $100 out the door. Picked up a screw not long after putting them on and the shop repaired it in just a few mins no questions asked. Since the truck was mostly a dump hauler and Home Despot runner, they lasted 3yrs before needing replacing... and I'm good with that.

 

[Jp267]

Facebook Marketplace always has tons of ads around me.

 

[litesong]

Originally Posted by JohnnyJohnson
What's your family's life worth?
Agree with you. We bought 7 new small-sized tires at real good deals (dealers wouldn't install over-sized tires). All good tires, but they still cost a choking $1000. Started getting nice Craigslist over-sized tires from owners just trying to empty their garages. 1) Two over-sized 40% used tires mounted & balanced on two sweet, 18 inch alloy wheels (just bolted on) for $60, which give the car excellent handling & braking. 2) Three over-sized 40% used tires mounted & balanced on sweeter, 18inch alloy wheels(just bolted on) for $50, which give the car excellent handling & braking. 3) Four Mastercraft 440 over-sized tires for $50, which lowered highway rpms by 240, & give the car excellent handling & braking. 4) Two Mastercraft Strategy over-sized tires for $29, which lowered highway rpms by 270, which give the car excellent handling & braking. 5) One over-sized spare (but never used), balanced & mounted on alloy wheel for $30. 6) One over-sized spare (but never used) tire for $20. 7) One spare (but never used) 70,000 mile tire for $10. 8) Six over-sized tires with well over half the tread remaining.....free. Yeah, the family is worth much more than small-sized tires, should be entrusted to save.