My former neighbor (he just moved) is a store manager for discount tire, they make tons of profit and can easily afford to eat $50. I personally know he's sold $600 worth of tires for $300 and not taken a loss. Not much profit, but no loss.

The guy may be trying to sell off some stock that he has too much of, or isn't moving well. He might just want more room on the shelves. He may also be trying to meet a weekly/monthly/whateverly quota and it will take too long to get in the other tires. Or like you said, the specific model is sold exclusively by discount tire - which usually means bonuses are involved if you sell X amount of them.

 

I remember getting them to drop their price on some 716's by $20 a TIRE!!! They quoted me at $88/each and then i pulled outa "quote" for $68 from my work. They matched it on the spot.

 

OK Mr. Conspiracy Theory, why does the real reason even matter? They're giving you a discount. (And no, I do not work for Discount Tire, nor did they hire me to say this.)

 

It matters if they're sh*t tires. Plus inquiring minds want to know.

Thanks for all the fast responses - I appreciate it!

 

^ BEsides, selling tires today, or possibly losing the sale to someone who has the other tires in stock? Which makes the most sense?

Also, why the F would you but a "T" rated tire? Our cars require an "H" rating and by going cheaper, you're losing handling and traction. Why would you do that?

 

Also, why the F would you but a "T" rated tire? Our cars require an "H" rating and by going cheaper, you're losing handling and traction. Why would you do that?

Considering he thinks your explanation of how business works is a "conspiracy theory" it's pretty obvious he's just an idiot.

 

Got it. THanks for the simple explanation man, I knew you'd come through!

 

LOL, come on, be a little easier on our new members. I think I started it though... my bad.

 

Great info, thanks! I just wanted to make sure because it makes you wonder when somebody steers you towards something else and avoids telling you why you're getting an inexplicable discount.

 

I just realized he's paying $300 for tires. . . in the stock size? With the wrong ratings? Wow. . . I think Munky may be closer than we realize.

 

Wow, I guess new members aren't so welcome after reading more of these responses. Extra special thanks to Bob for the slamfest.

1. I didn't see a speed rating listed in SWorthams faq. Do I really need higher than a T (118 mph) rated tire?
2. Yes it's a stock size. I don't have money for new rims.
3. Every tire Discount sells except for the Barum costs over $300 total for a set of 4.

 

I just came from their site, There were 3 tires listed for less than $70. one of which was a Falken.

Speed rating is a huge misnomer. Our cars come with, and should stick with, an 88H rated tire. That T4 is not only a T rating, but also an 87, meaning the load rating is less as well.

When you install incorrect tires on a car not designed for them, you typically have a ton of tread squirm and the sidewall's do not carry the weight of tha car. What that translatres into is the car being extremely squirelly at any speed.

Comnsidering the CORRECT tires are less than these pos T4's, I'd go with those. The YK520's do havethe correct 88H rating, that may also be part of the reason he was steering you toward thsoe.

 

Let me clarify - over $300 out the door.

I would've thought that when you pull up your specific vehicle on the discount tire website, that it would not list incorrect tires for the vehicle. I'm glad I know better now.

I have the Falkens right now. They have great handling, noticeably better than the stock Michelins...but the tread is nearing the wear indicator at 37k miles (I rotate every 6k and balance every 12k) and the tires have no mileage warranty. I wanted to replace them with something with longer treadwear and a warranty so that I get prorating should they not go the distance.

 

Look for the KH16 Kumhos. I really don't think the Yoko's are gonna get you any better mileage, at least from what I've seen of the older YK420's.

HERE'S what you're looking for. The ASX's are agreat tire.

 

Go to tirerack.com - I plan to buy 4 Dunlop A2 Sports for $58 each

Size: 195/60HR15
Serv. Desc: 87H
UTQG: 460 AA A

As far as the load index here is the scoop on those numbers. Basicly going with a 87H tire your car will be rated to carry 4,804lbs which is 136lbs less than the stock 88H tire.

The higher the tire's load index number, the greater its load carrying capacity.

89 = 1,279 pounds
88 = 1,235 pounds
87 = 1,201 pounds
86 = 1,168 pounds
85 = 1,135 pounds

 

a while back before I had my elantra I actually walked back and fourth between discount tire and NTB getting them to beat each other's prices... eventually got some decent all-season radials for about $20 each (down from about $60 each) from discount tire.

that's what they get for building their stores next door to each other!

 

As far as the load index here is the scoop on those numbers. Basicly going with a 87H tire your car will be rated to carry 4,804lbs which is 136lbs less than the stock 88H tire.

While that's great and all, doesn't do you much good when it's 105 outside, you've got 4 people in the car and you're running the wrong tires. Putting them closer to their max weight may just be the difference between a Ford Exploder style blow out and making it safely to your destination.

 

What is the max GVWR our cars carry? I am pretty sure it is less than the 4804lbs of the 87H or even the 4940lbs of the 88H but it is raining its arse off here and I would rather not get wet to look at the plate. I would be more worried about the underinflation of a tire which is one of the things Firestone claimed with the tires on the Explorers, they claimed Fords recomendation for inflation was too low for the load they had to carry.

 

Considering tires are the most important thing connecting your car to Terra Firma, why would anyone CHEAP OUT to save a couple dollars? SEriously, how cheap do you have to be to save $8 and take the risk?

2900LBS FOR THE CAR, ANOTHER 800-1000lbs for passengers and another 100-150lbs for luggage. So that puts the car at close to 4200lbs.

 

The BFGoodrich Traction T/A H at $65 each also looks good.

Size: 195/60HR15
Serv. Desc: 88H
UTQG: 440 AA A

 

That's a great tire.

 

Falken Ziex 512's for $54 each from Discount tire direct with free shipping...
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...eDetail.do?mk=&yr=2002&cf=false&sw=false&cs=195&pc=28865&rd=15&vid=006679&ar=60
I have those on my stock aluminum 15" rims and I like them.

Fuzion tires in stock size for $44 plus shipping...
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...=H&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&speed_rating=Y&minSpeedRating=S
They're not bad; I put a set on my wife's Subaru a while back and they have decent performance, ride and quiteness.