Tires are a racket...

[DCIV]

Can we just talk about how the tire companies and everything surrounding tires is a huge racket? It’s annoying. First, there were plenty of companies that made tires that didn’t dry rot, but now day some how they all do. Second, I’ve had very few go the miles they say. Third, if they are over so old tire places arnt suppose to even put them on. Yet every time I go to get tires they cost out the ass!!!

The whole thing is a bunch of bull crap.


Coop

[aaronatstate]

I've never had a good quality brand name tire dry-rot. I'll give you that sometimes they don't get to the mileage, but there are a lot of factors that play into that. How much do you consider "out the ass"? I paid $232/tire for the all seasons for my RS (245/35R19) and $190/tire for the all seasons on my Stealth (245/40R18). Both are Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+. (Both should last around 50,000 miles)

Paid $209/tire for the wife's Explorer tires (255/50R20). Goodyear Assurance Weatheready. (Should last around 50-60,000 miles).

I don't think they are too outrageous considering the Bridgestone's I had on my Stealth previously were $225/tire in 2015, good for only around 20,000 miles, and not as good as the Michelins.

[DCIV]

That’s a lot of money!!!! 232 per tire!!! I’m not comparing to other tires I’m just saying that’s a lot for tires.


Coop

[Duck Vader]

Considering how important a good set is I think cost is well justified.

[ChargerX3]

Yea it’s a racket. Prices have been on the climb since 2008 ish when fuel prices spiked back then. Allowed for Chinese companies to come in with sub par tires and capture some of the market.

I was hoping to see tire prices drop with the latest Covid shut down and gas prices plummeting as they are related but we saw very little fluctuation.

I’ll agree that tire quality is not the same now either. Have a couple original tires from my dodge chargers. The rubber on those look better than most of my other vehicles after being in the elements for 5-10 years. Granted I find your higher quality manufacturers do hold up better over time compared to China or Asian built sets.

Anyways just spent $1100 on tires for my wife’s crossover. Ridiculous.

[DCIV]

Steve gets it. I remember when 400 bucks was how much it cost for good tires!!! Now yes wheel sizes were smaller but still. They have doubled to get good tires.


Coop

[ChargerX3]

Specialty size wheels are what really get you. Wife has odd 19” tires so we pay handsomely.

[aaronatstate]

[quote=""DCIV""]Steve gets it. I remember when 400 bucks was how much it cost for good tires!!! Now yes wheel sizes were smaller but still. They have doubled to get good tires.


Coop[/quote]

[quote=""ChargerX3""]Specialty size wheels are what really get you. Wife has odd 19” tires so we pay handsomely.[/quote]

It’s this. With big rims, wider tires, and a good brand you’re going to pay. They should last 50k though unless they are high performance summer tires. Sure I could get Riken tires for my stealth at $100 a piece, but they would be awful so it’s not worth it.

Tires for my SL2 Saturn (General tires, good ratings on tire rack) were $85 a piece. But they were 185/65R15 lol

[vr4]

[quote=""aaronatstate""]It’s this. With big rims, wider tires, and a good brand you’re going to pay. They should last 50k though unless they are high performance summer tires. Sure I could get Riken tires for my stealth at $100 a piece, but they would be awful so it’s not worth it.

Tires for my SL2 Saturn (General tires, good ratings on tire rack) were $85 a piece. But they were 185/65R15 lol[/quote]

Yes. Wheel and tire sizes these days are a big part. Stock size tires for my s10 range from 66 to 130 each.

Yes that's more expensive than I remember them being 25 years ago but if you take inflation into calculations that makes them 30 and 60 bucks in 1989 and 38 and 75 in 1995. Now things don't seem so.... Expensive.


The problem here is.... Have your wages doubled since 96 for your position and grade? I know mine haven't. Personally I'm making about double what I did back in 1997. Difference is back then I was working an entry level job. Not a professional with 20 years of experience and all certifications. Had my wages increased with inflation and my position I would be making about 4-5x what I'm making now.

[Chris GTO TT]

Yup wages in America have been stagnant for basically 40 years when you account for inflation.

[tabasco122]

I was rocking some Achilles atr sport 2’s on the sti and Wrx. After about 30k miles on the Wrx they were starting to get noisy when cold, but honestly for what I paid I can’t complain. Victoria has about 20k on hers and no noise yet, but I’ll probably replace with ps4s or something similar to see if we can avoid the noise. In honesty wouldn’t mind buying them again, I definitely got my money’s worth and they gripped nicely.