Used tires an option?

Sleipnir

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I'm getting ready in a couple of months to purchase a newer car. Right now my 21 year old car badly needs new tires. Does it make more sense to buy used tires if I can find a set, or to buy "economy" tires from a dealer? FWIW my current car has a very small resale value and I will likely try selling it myself. The new car will be newer, but used not new. Another consideration is that, compared to most people, I drive very little: +/- 5000 miles yearly so in two months usage will be minimal.
 
My gut reaction is that while you won't make back the cost of new tires, you might be able to get enough of it back (i.e. keep the paperwork and show it to the buyer) to come out money ahead over purchasing of used tires. New tires might also increase the sales appeal.

In my mind, used tires scream safety hazard.
 
I'd suggest economy new tires.

The only time I ever recommend a used tire is if you blow one tire and you want to try and match the tread depth so you don't have one new tire.
 
most off brand tires now a days are made by a name brand company so you could find a cheap set of off brand tires and be ok
 
I ran used tires for years. I would only buy them if I could find a complete set. A lot of times, someone comes into a shop and buys new rims or tires and the old set is perfectly fine for another couple years. The cost was usually about half of what an economy set of new would cost.
 
considering most new tires are made in China today, I'd definitely look for a set of decent used name-brand tires with a recent manufacture date, no plugs or patches, and at least 5/32" of treadwear left. I paid $100 for my last set of used tires for a car that I was selling and they looked almost new.

How to read a tire's date code https://www.tirebuyer.com/education/how-to-determine-the-age-of-your-tires
 
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I use to run used tires. I had a friend that ran a tire shop an when someone who never rotated their tires would come in for a set of 4 I’d get the rears and put them on the front of my car then move my fronts to the rear. I lasted a long time doing that.
 
If you can luck up and find a decent used set....awesome. It may just be easier to get a cheaper new set. Last time I bought a new set of Nexen tires, which were considerably cheaper than Michelins....at 6000 miles I have no complaints.

Maybe check in with places that sell aftermarket/custom wheels, a lot of their take offs are in good shape.

What size tires do you need?
 
with that size, since 16s are generally standard on almost all new compact cars....I'd probably buy new for less than $250

Easily. I bought a set of hankook that size at sams club, mounted and lifetime balance for round $300. I'm sure no names would be much cheaper.
 
I’ve had good luck with used tires. Knew a guy a long time ago that had a small auto repair shop and he would sell me tires for $5, or give them to me when I would come hang out. I always had a spare, and kept them sorted by tread depth. I drove a 97 ranger and never put a new tire on it in four years.
 
It wouldnt make sense to me to buy new tires. As little as the OP stated he drove, a used tire would be fine. Especially if a newer car is in the very near future
 
NEVER BUY USED TIRES. Never buy cheap tires either. You are still putting things your most value in your life in that car, you and your family.
The book value of the car is immaterial. Quality tires don't have to break the bank.
Buy based on handling, stopping ratings and particularly wet traction ratings.
You don't need high performance racing tires. But something like the Continental Control Contact A/S are very good tires, will last along time, and maintain their traction rating wet and dry. They do well in sloppy stuff too. I have them on my Veloster. And they will be the next tires for my wife's Charger.
 
Last set of tires I got for the car were from Walmart.com. Had them sent to local Walmart, arrived in 2 days, and put on for $10 each with lifetime rotation and balance. Paid $24.95 each for the tires (discontinued model). Make sure they are "sold by" Walmart, if they are sold by another vendor THROUGH Walmart.com, then they'll charge you $20 or $25 to mount/balance.
 
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