Tires: this is about to kill me!

[MelInKansas]

I know tire companies have coupons, but none out right now for the crazy expensive run-flat tires that are recommended for our minivan. Any tips on how to get at least a better deal on my run-flat tires? Also we need to have them replaced in the next few weeks or month, so I really am up against a wall here.

Here's another quandry. So, the run-flat tires are needed because there is no space under the van for a spare (big feature of AWD model). We could save a lot more money, and maybe even get a better deal on them because there are more options, if we decided to get regular tires and then we would need to store a spare tire somewhere inside our van (blech). Do you think this would be worth the money saved? The other down side to run-flat tires is they wear out more quickly, although maybe 3 years is really all you can expect out of a set of tires no matter how good they are. I have had several people tell me that even though some tires are rated for 60,000 or so miles they never ever go nearly that far. We got barely 30,000 miles out of this expensive set of tires! We would save at least $200 if we go with regular tires (and again hopefully have to replace them less often).

We have a Firestone store, Burnett's Automotive, of course dealerships. I'd even consider driving to Topeka, KS if I could get a better deal (right now the best deal is $850 installed for 4 tires).

Welcoming any advice, or anyone with ways to get great deals on tires!

[tammyinwv]

My son has ordered tires from online, then had walmart put them on. You might check and see if you can get a better price.
Tammy

[cory11183]

Most places will price match and beat the deal by a percentage. Get a quote (in writing) from one, then go to each store until you get the cheapest price. To save gas money you can call for quotes then simply tell the next place you call that "Mr. x from this other place gave me this price, what is your best price installed."

Make sure the price given is "out the door" meaning all taxes, tire disposal fees, and other installation charges included

[kwhile0599]

We've ordered tires online too - Tire Rack - and had Walmart put 'em on too!!

Don't know where you are in KS - but I did put in Topeka w/100 mile radius - when I saw Merchants Tire has a printable q (good til 10/31) for Buy one get one free - that includes Pirelli (they make a runflat - but I don't know if that's your brand or if runflats are included - it just says Pirelli, Cooper....and more)

Also if Good Year makes 'em - they have a rebate on their website - 1 is up to $80 on 4 tires & 1 is up to $160 on 4 tires if you use your Good Year Credit Card & also saw there is a $10 per tire discount if you are military.

My last set of tires for my truck - I found at Sears Online - printed out the price & took it in to the Sears Auto Center - and the online price was WAY cheaper than the actual store price & they honored it.

I hope you can find a bargain!!!

[MelInKansas]

GoodYear doesn't make a run-flat tire. Thanks for the tips though, I will definitely do some online searching to see what I can find!

[cyhick]

Depending on the size & year of your van you may consider one of the tire racks that go on the back door.

IMHO I'd go for the regular tires to save money b/c those run flat are so expensive, plus most of the time you don't know when they are flat and may drive w/o knowing.

If you do decide to stick with them, see if you have a Cooper Tire place in your area, then see if they carry the ones you need. Cooper Tires often offer rebates.

Tracie

[434Teresa]

I dont think you will fine a coupons or much of a deal on those riun flat tires for not many people buy them

[meggers]

Couldn't you get 4 regular tires, but 1 run-flat for the spare? Or am I missing something? You'd only use it as people would use a donut tire...until you got the reg. tire replaced, right?

[mom2jessi]

Couldn't you get 4 regular tires, but 1 run-flat for the spare? Or am I missing something? You'd only use it as people would use a donut tire...until you got the reg. tire replaced, right?

This is what I was thinking... if you already have a spare you don't need to get another one with the 4 tires. Actually, if you do need a spare then just use one of the runflats that are on your vehicle and buy the 4 regular tires. We found Costco has the best deal locally on tires... not sure if you have one there.

[MelInKansas]

What a run-flat tire is, is a tire basically with a donut inside of it. So if the tire blows, there is a smaller donut type tire inside and you can drive on it, without changing a tire, with the same constraints as your donut/smaller spare, 55 MPH or less, don't go too far, etc. I actually did blow a tire once and I did drive on the run-flat tire at least a few miles to a tire shop. I was going faster than 55 though so I shredded it and had to buy a retread at that shop and drive myself to another shop that had my run-flat. My van has tire pressure sensors which are supposed to tell you if the tire is flat, but when I blew the tire it didn't tell me (the bumping did). I probably killed the sensor though, it was a really bad pothole!

I have to have all 4. If I had any that were not run-flat and that one blew then I would be stuck and not able to go anywhere because there is NO spare, no other tire to use (the other tires on the van, even run flat, would be needed in the positions they are in). The other option is again to have a spare tire floating around in the back of my van. I have never seen a minivan with a hatchback with a tire rig on the back of it, and I believe that is because if there was a rig and a tire on the back it would be next to impossible to open the hatch. You see the tire on the back of Jeeps or other vehicles that have a door that opens to the side instead of up. MAYBE I could strap a tire somehow on my luggage rack on the top of the van but then I couldn't pull into my garage.

Thanks for the thoughts. I am of the mind that we should buy regular tires and just deal with having a spare in the back. My husband thinks that would be a terrible hassle and whenever we go on trips we would hate having the tire in the back of the van. He's probably right... I don't know.

I will look for Cooper tire!