tell it to me straight, how bad do I need snow tires? (Spokane: appointed, home)

[rgb123]

...and I officially want to move somewhere I can take public transportation to everything...

[rgb123]

Originally Posted by Drover

$600 is probably as good as it's going to get. Does that happen to include a set of steel rims so you don't have to un-mount/re-mount tires on rims every season?

I know Discount Tire will match anyone's price on the sale price of the tires. On a recent set of tires I had them install, I saved $40 by bringing in the Tire Rack price including shipping. I got Tire Rack's price along with Discount Tire's instant service -- didn't have to wait for Tire Rack to ship 'em to a shop and then set up an appointment and all that. If they hadn't had 'em in stock though, I'd have just got 'em from Tire Rack, which is what I did for a different set for my other car.

okay....I did it, I have an appointment at Discount Tire. (too bad it's on Friday and we are in the middle of our first snow storm and I have to work in the morning...)

How does the discount work? because it looks like the tires I ordered online from discount tire (not yet paid for) are advertised on their own site for cheaper, just in another area (ohio). I guess though it can be an online source and doesn't have to be in Spokane?

[elousv]

I have walked in with a printout of a competitor's price and they matched it instantly. Her is the link to the "certificate" Certificate for Repair, Refund or Replacement - Discount Tire. They also will rotate and balance for the life of the tires and swap out your snow-regular when the seasons change. I don't work for them. I have had good service at Les S. in Rathdrum also.

[Xanathos]

When I lived in Spokane, I drove a 1969 GTO Judge. Rear wheel drive, no ABS, way too much torque for icy roads, too heavy to stop as fast as the cars around me, etc. Pretty much the worst possible car for winter driving. I never once had snow tires on them, and never once wished that I had em. I outfitted that car with Z-class racing tires, and they always worked for me just fine, even through the giant ice storm of 96 or 97, whenever it was.

[rgb123]

Originally Posted by elousv

I have walked in with a printout of a competitor's price and they matched it instantly. Her is the link to the "certificate" Certificate for Repair, Refund or Replacement - Discount Tire. They also will rotate and balance for the life of the tires and swap out your snow-regular when the seasons change. I don't work for them. I have had good service at Les S. in Rathdrum also.

is the certificate worth the price? I mean, if I want to get my tires swapped at the end of the season but have no other problems with the tires?

[elousv]

I have been buying them ever since the time I ran over a huge spike that went through the sidewall ruining the tire. I have used it over the years. I could not tell you if it has paid for itself overall, but it is just another form of insurance. Some of my tires cost $350 each so it is worth it to me.

[mistyriver]

Personal fan of Les Schwab here. Snow/studded tires make a huge difference. My new Subaru doesn't have them yet and I nearly slid off the road yesterday.

[elousv]

I was sliding around too with a stock Jeep Wrangler, 4WD made it much better. Snow tires going on today!

[Drover]

Putting the snows on my car today too. The irony is it's supposed to get up close to 70 around here today. But they're talking snow by Friday, and I don't wanna get stuck out there with my summers or I'll just be a great big hockey puck.

[M3 Mitch]

rgb, are you already in Spokane? If so there *are* used tire outfits there, I know some people have a hissy fit when used tires are mentioned, but I have put used tires on many a rig when money was tight, never had any problem. When someone buys a used car, hey, they generally buy 4 used tires it's riding on, and normally wear them out without issue. It's a better option for somebody who can look at the tire and readily see that there is not any visible damage - it's true that there may be damage that does not show but is still there, anyway all up and down Division there are many tire shops and some do used.

Like I said originally 4 extra wheels with 4 dedicated snows is the cheapest and best in the long run, although it's more money right now.

How are your existing tires? If they are normal all-seasons, and like I described they have enough tread to reach George Washington's head on a quarter, you can probably use them as-is and be OK, real snows would be better of course but financial realities are real as well as physical ones.