Car Parts Faqs - Buying used car tires--what do you think?

Buying used car tires--what do you think?

To replace the tires that came on my car with the same kind would be $135 per tire, so I want to buy some used ones just to last a while (my tires are almost bare; very little tread left) that are about $20 each... What do you think of this idea? The new but cheap from JustTires was $125 a piece AND they sold me the wrong size last time.

Public Comments

Go to Just tire or Pep Boys and get some new tires starting around 40. each, the used tires will likely be a bad call, the new but cheap will keep you for at least 40K miles, God Bless
This depends on the wear of the used tires. They may just be enough to get u through until you have enough money saved for new ones.
i would not recommnend buying used tirers at ALL. not all brands will cost $135. you can check around first, like pepboys, sam's, etc.
Please take no offense but I don't feel it is a good idea. It is like shopping for used underware. The risks far exceed the benefits.
in 35 years of motoring I have never bought secondhand tires, prefering to get a cheaper brand or a slower tire when I couldn't afford the best. The tires on your car at the moment may be a higher specification than you need. A tire which is designed for high speed is more expensive than one from the same manufacturer which is for a lower speed. A "V" rated tire is good for 150 mph but you may choose an "H" rated tire which is OK up to 130 mph. Q (100), R(105), S(113) T(118) and U(125) are also available. These are the highest speeds at which you should use each tire, the difference is because the tires heat up at different rates. A slower tire can be much cheaper than a fast one.
I would be very carful buying used tires. But if you do, here is what I would do. First, make sure the place you are dealing with is reputable and has a money back gaurantee. I would not even think of dealing with someone who does meet this qualification. After you have chosen a couple of good places, now check the prices. After checking prices, tell them you want to inspect the tires. If they give you any trouble about checking the tire, than there must be something wrong with them in the first place. If the do show you the tires, check the on the inside as well as the out. Make sure they don;t have any patches inside. Also, run your hand around in it carefully. Try to feel any abnormal surfaces. Also, check your hand and make sure that it is doesn't have any black "dust" on it. This indicates that the tire has been run flat over a long period of time and is not structuly safe. If the outside tread is even and in good shape, than you probably got yourself a good tire.
Extremely cheap tires for sale are not a good idea. Tire failures at high speeds can cause some serious damage to your care and you. New cars usually come with tires that are rated way beyond the speeds you will be going. If your rarely get over 70 miles an hour on the interstate then you can get less expensive tires. Go to a reputable tire dealer and have him give you a good price on the exact tire you need. The more you wait the more the price will go up. Tires are made from oil. Anyhow you want good tires with good tread especially with winter approaching. There are lesser known brands that are good tires. Continental Tires are probably the best for the price.
I'd never buy the used tires. Get the new ones. First, you never know what someone did to them before you got them. They could blow out right after you install them, then you'd have thrown away the 80 bucks on tires that do you no good, and have to buy new ones anyway. Second, if you intend to sell the car, the investment of the new tires will pay you back on trade-in or resale value. If you don't plan to get rid of it soon, then you better get the new tires... better to pay 135 each and have them last 3-4 years, than pay 20 each and have to replace them every 6 months.