Used tires - where do you buy them?

[MoneyJohn]

Out of curiosity.

In many threads, someone comments they either got lightly used tires or suggest getting one. I wonder where do you get those (other than scrap yards) and is it worth the savings?

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Originally Posted by MoneyJohn
Out of curiosity.

In many threads, someone comments they either got lightly used tires or suggest getting one. I wonder where do you get those (other than scrap yards) and is it worth the savings?


What's your family's life worth?

 

[Rolla07]

Bought used once and I wont ever do it again. Not worth it unless you plan to get rid of the car very soon and your current tires are bald. Find a sale and buy new and you wont need to worry about them for a longer time. Think about mounting used tires twice or 3 times when new would cost you once.

 

[Eddie]

Check with tire dealer for like new take-offs. AWD vehicles need tires that are matched and if one blows a tire they need all 4 new and the dealer has 3 good one with 1/2+ tread remaining. Ed

 

[Jimzz]

I've found I can usually get basic Chinese tires for around the same price. So if someone needs tires now I try to find a decent looking Chinese tire online. This is usually for people that are just trying too get past an inspection as the car is on its last leg type thing.

 

[supton]

Craigslist. Although every used car I bought came with them already installed.

It's like everything else--you gotta run the numbers. What does a new set cost, between purchase, mount, balance? How long will they last? Now compare against what a used set will cost, then what will mount & balance cost. And how long will they last? Compare the cost per mile.

I suspect that "most" of us who go down the used path are gaming the system by doing our own mount and balance. And are willing to put up with the occasional bad tire (which would be money lost). IMO, most people would be better buying new and getting the long life with some sort of road hazard warranty for the slim chance of needing said warranty. "Big" money up front, but divided out over the long life of the tire, they are probably hitting the point of both low cost and low effort.

Just take into account how much you drive. If you are doing only 5k/year then you probably don't need high end tires, as they will likely age out before wearing out.

Also, if you do go down the used path, make sure you know how to measure tread depth, how to look for tire issues, and how to read the date code (so as to avoid buying old tires).

*

I took a gamble on a used set. $100 for a set of nearly new tires--someone traded in a car at some used car lot, the lot owner apparently didn't care so sold them cheap on CL. I snagged them, mounted them myself, paid a local shop $10 to balance all 4. $110 for a set? I only got 36,000 miles out of them but that was darn close the 40k I normally get. I haven't done that again as it was pure luck on that deal. I also do lots of high speed highway driving and so... I sleep better with "quality" tires. YMMV.

 

[atikovi]

Originally Posted by JohnnyJohnson
Originally Posted by MoneyJohn
Out of curiosity.

In many threads, someone comments they either got lightly used tires or suggest getting one. I wonder where do you get those (other than scrap yards) and is it worth the savings?


What's your family's life worth?


You have used tires on your vehicles right now.

 

[Fawteen]

Used tires? No thanks. Penny wise and pound foolish.

 

[Chris142]

I scored the 4 that are on my truck from in front of a guys house. He bought them for his jeep. Drove it home and didn't like the way they looked( too street,not enough knobbie). They still had the mold bumps on them and the date code was recent.

I paid $350 for $1200 worth of tires!

All the spares on our cars came from a used tire store near my work.

 

[atikovi]

Originally Posted by Jimzz
I've found I can usually get basic Chinese tires for around the same price.


I'd rather buy name brand Michelin, Goodyear, Bridgestone, etc. used tires than new Chinese ones. Whenever I see a set of Chinese tires on a car I'm looking at buying, I can't help but think what other maintenance did the owner cheap out on. If I see it has Michelin, Goodyear, Bridgestone, etc. I think it was owned by a car guy who took good care of his ride.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Used tires are fine, at least the ones I have purchased.
Sometimes people have to make choices on their purchases; money only spends once.
For maybe $25 to $40 each installed you can replace a dangerous tire with a decent used one.
I have helped numerous people do just this.

 

[ZZman]

A local tire store.

 

[skyactiv]

There are used tire shops in the larger cities in the bad areas of town.

 

[BJD78]

I have only put used tires on an old truck we used to have that never hardly left the city limits or drove at hiway speeds in extreme heat or interstate driving. Many people also go with used tires on their old daily "drive five miles to work" beaters.Used tires work fine for that type of purpose. If one does decide to go with used you certainly want to check the date and if they are getting to that 6 to 7 year mark look for a younger tire. Good idea to replace tires six years after their production date, regardless of tread life. The used tire shops here in Lincoln like Don's Tire or Big Red tire do not sell used tires that are over 5 years old. For many people, going with used tires over news is a short term thing until their financial situation improves. Or they have an old beater that is used sparingly and not driven at hiway speeds much. If one is doing a lot of a lot of driving or going on a long trip I would have more confidence in going with new tires. Wally's has several good quality tire brands like Douglas, Solarus,Mastercraft, Federal, Milestar and a few others that are not going to break the bank. Most are in the $45 to $80 range. Even when buying new tires it is prudent to check the date of manufacture. I have cooper CS3 on our Sonata with a DOT code of 1113 so even though they have 8/32 tread they are at the 6 year mark. A couple times a month I drive to Omaha on I 80 and I am going to replace them very soon, probably go with the Sam's club Michelan X tour brand tire.

 

[Kestas]

I've bought a number of sets from craigslist. With one exception, the tires have always performed well. The tires I buy are either brand new or have under 1K miles on them.

I always check the date code. I had to pass on a set of winter tires that were used for only one season..... 11 years ago!

I've also bought from bestusedtires.com.

Too often people on craigslist ask way too much for what they have. I don't understand the mentality of asking half price because the tires are half worn. I'd much rather be the one to wear the first half of the tires' life instead of the last half.

 

[jeepman3071]

My local independent tire shop has lots of used tires available. They are a mom and pop shop not a chain store. My sister has bought many used tires from them with great results. They only sell good condition or almost new tires for a fraction of the price of new. Most are takeoffs they get from cars that were totaled or scrapped. I wouldn't put them on my BMW for when I'm driving spiritedly through the mountains, but for a daily commuter they are perfectly fine. Just make sure to check the date codes.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted by MoneyJohn
I wonder where do you get those (other than scrap yards)
Most independent/mom and pop type tire shops usually sell them. Not the national chains.


Quote
and is it worth the savings?
IMO, no. If you're not in a hurry, you can find good deals on new tires and they will include warranty.

With that said, I did buy used tires back when I was a poor college student.

 

[Donald]

I bought a used tire on EBAY and it was fine. I needed one worn to match the other 3 on my Subaru with AWD. The Subaru AWD does not want one tire very new and 3 very old.

 

[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.

 

[AZjeff]

A friend's dad just bought a set of brand new take-offs (tires & alloys) from the Toyota dealer for $500. Who would have guessed?