Does anybody recommend buying used tires?

[Green Shirt]

I've never bought used tires before, but am considering it because I need to replace my two front tires. I plan to get a new car in about a year, and I don't see why I should spend $300 a piece for new ones.

Does anyone have experience with used tires, either good, bad or indifferent?

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I would only buy used tires if the tire repair place I'm buying them from, recommended them.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

I've bought used tires when I as in a bad way financially, and they've generally worked well as a temporary solution. For a year, you should probably be okay.

Here's a handy guide of what to look for:

http://nickscarblog.com/reviews/tips-for-buying-used-tires

 

[Non Sync]

Personally, I would never buy used tires.

They are a critical to the safe operation of the vehicle. One factor in tires is the age of the tire. It was once recommended not to get the extra long mileage tires as the rubber would start to breakdown before the treads wore down.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

just check the tread

 

[RJDiogenes]

I've pretty much always gotten used tires. Of course, it's my uncle's tire shop, so I know I'm getting quality used tires.

 

[Amaris]

From what my uncle told me (he's an auto mechanic), used tires are only okay if the people selling them to you are reputable. You never know where some get their used tires, because some recaps will fall apart after a few months.

 

[RoJoHen]

I've gotten used tires on occasion, and I've never had problems with them.

 

[Starbreaker]

They're good if you're in a financial bind and don't drive long periods of time per day. You can often find some that are in great shape, too.

 

[urbandefault]

If you're in the US, look for Discount Tire. I just bought a set of four new 215/75R15s for under $300 out the door. I only drive my little truck about 5000 miles a year, so it was a no-brainer for me. My wife's car gets the heavy usage so we spend more on her tires.

One time my tires were slashed and I was in a bind, and I found a place close to work that had a good set of take-offs at a great price. I didn't want to buy used tires, but I had no choice at the time. It worked out ok, but I'd recommend talking to people you trust close by to find a reputable dealer.

 

[MacLeod]

If you're in the US, look for Discount Tire. I just bought a set of four new 215/75R15s for under $300 out the door. I only drive my little truck about 5000 miles a year, so it was a no-brainer for me. My wife's car gets the heavy usage so we spend more on her tires.

One time my tires were slashed and I was in a bind, and I found a place close to work that had a good set of take-offs at a great price. I didn't want to buy used tires, but I had no choice at the time. It worked out ok, but I'd recommend talking to people you trust close by to find a reputable dealer.

$300 for a set of 4 tyres sounds reasonable but for $300 a piece sounds more along the lines of what I would expect to be paying for a whole new wheel and tyre. As I just had to replace a tyre and it cost me about £65(US$100)

 

[Kirby]

I bought used tires when I was in college, and I also delivered pizzas at the same time, so they got a lot of wear. As others have said, just make sure you can trust the seller.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I've bought a used tire on one or two occasions when I only needed one. It was a case where the original couldn't be repaired & I didn't have a ton of money.

I just put 4 brand new tires on my Grand Cherokee. Sears had them priced "out the door" at $1200. My garage of choice had the same exact tires "out the door" for under $800.

It pays to shop around no matter what, but I wouldn't have gone to Sears in any event, I just checked online.

 

[Captain Ice]

I have purchased used tires in the past when in a bind. It turned out ok, but I would shop around. Unless you are driving something like a Corvette, $300 per tire is unreasonable. Just go over to Discount Tire and ask them for the least expensive tire they have.

 

[Green Shirt]

Thank you all for your input. I decided to bite the bullet and get a new tire from Tread Depot. All the local places, like Mr. Tire and NTB don't stock the cooper discoverer h/t, so online was my best bet. Not a bad price - $137 with shipping. That'll keep me going until I can replace my tires with a different brand. My used Envoy came with cooper tires, and I replaced them once - but they routinely lose 5 to 7 psi each month. That seem excessive, so I'm looking into other brands when it comes time to buy.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

The brand shouldn't matter, if you're losing pressure it was probably a bad mounting job.

I spent the extra $40 for nitrogen when I got my new tires. It prevents even the minor pressure loss you might expect over time.

 

[SPCTRE]

When it comes to operating and maintaining a car, there are ways to save money that I would recommend. Used tires are not one of them.

 

[Green Shirt]

The brand shouldn't matter, if you're losing pressure it was probably a bad mounting job.

I spent the extra $40 for nitrogen when I got my new tires. It prevents even the minor pressure loss you might expect over time.

But the pressure problem happens on all tires on two different sets. Its possible the rims may be to blame.