Tires: this is about to kill me!

[MelInKansas]

This is one of those cases where it seems the high-tech really isn't any better. Just give me a cheap old tire! Although even the cheaper tires again will be at least $600 for a full set... ugh. I guess we should start walking everywhere!

[Rene S]

My dad has managed a tire shop for 40+ years. He has bemoaned the fact that tire prices have increased a LOT due to the cost of rubber, which of course gets passed on to the customer. Special tires like run flats cost more and rarely, if ever, have sales.

You should be aware that if you order tires online, a place like Walmart will put them on, but you might pay extra for "outside" brand tires, so be aware of that when factoring your costs.

IMO, I'd get a price from an independent tire shop. They will give you a competitive price and service them should anything happen. Places like Tires Plus are convenient, but IME their overall prices are higher because they have more overhead. Also, I RARELY say this, but consider buying an extended warranty if it's available. I got one for my Michelins for about $12/tire, and it includes free repair, rotations, and replacement if necessary. I HAVE used all of these services over the years--including a free replacement on one of the tires when a crack appeared in the sidewall.

Just my two cents.

[Rene S]

You should be aware that if you order tires online, a place like Walmart will put them on, but you might pay extra for "outside" brand tires, so be aware of that when factoring your costs.

I guess I didn't explain this well. They will install them, but might charge more to mount and balance them because they aren't "their" tires. For instance, if a usual mount and balance is $20, they might charge $30. You need to ask ahead of time and factor in that cost.

[MelInKansas]

I guess I didn't explain this well. They will install them, but might charge more to mount and balance them because they aren't "their" tires. For instance, if a usual mount and balance is $20, they might charge $30. You need to ask ahead of time and factor in that cost.

Yes, I know about the cost of balance/rotate on tires if you don't buy them at a tire shop. Even though that is a long-term savings, I don't know if I'm going to factor that in to my decision so much because for example the Firestone shop is across town, and I doubt that I will actually take my van there for tire rotation. I will probably just pay to have that done at my usual repair place. That's worth the extra $20 or so I have to pay them in order to not have to make another trip and wait around for my van to be done and stuff. I could go to Firestone instead for my regular service, but we have had problems with some other repair places so I like to stick with the place where I know they will do a good job.

[mom2ollie]

I know nothing about run flats so it may be different for you, but the cheapest place here for me to get tires usually ends up being Sam's club when you factor in the tire price and installation. Somehow other places quote similar tire prices but they end up being way more by the time you have them on the car due to other fees. Sam's also includes road hazard protection for free which you would have to pay extra for elsewhere. I have had mine repaired there several times for free and when they were not repairable I got a discount off a new tire (how much discount depends on the mileage on the old tire). Worth paying for a sam's membership imo.

[hburnette3]

How about regular tires, no spare an AAA membership (or any auto club)? My AAA is about $100 a year for me and my husband and we always seem to get our money's worth.

[MelInKansas]

Hmmm... I would have to check and see if AAA would actually BRING me a tire and put it on - they would have to actually put it on the wheel which I am guessing is something they don't do. The thing is, if I get a flat without my husband there, I am not changing a tire anyway. I would mess it up. But I kind of think they do come out and change it, but you should have the spare tire with you.

[hburnette3]

Hmmm... I would have to check and see if AAA would actually BRING me a tire and put it on - they would have to actually put it on the wheel which I am guessing is something they don't do. The thing is, if I get a flat without my husband there, I am not changing a tire anyway. I would mess it up. But I kind of think they do come out and change it, but you should have the spare tire with you.

With the membership we have they will tow you anywhere within 200 miles free of charge.

[MelInKansas]

Ah yes, towing, that would be good too. Just have to wait around until they get there.