I got to work yesterday, and found a metal wire sticking out of the sidewall of my rear left tire. It was road debris I picked up. I went to 4 tire shops, plus the dealer I bought it from, looking to get it repaired or replaced.

No one would touch a sidewall repair, even though it was almost on the tread. Worse, no one had the tire in stock. Even worse, the fifth store I went to, had one delivered the same day, but it cost me $250.

Apparently, the 50R17 tire isn't that popular, thus the higher price from lower demand. I hope I don't have to buy anymore, anytime soon.

I know I could have shopped around and eventually gotten one cheaper, but I HAD to have my car for a road trip, so I had to have it fixed.

So, if you find yourself needing a new tire(s), and you're short on time, you may pay through the nose.

You got taken, man.

OEM from Tirerack is $105. Warehouse in DE would have it to you next day.

It's not that the size 215/50r-17 is expensive or unpopular, but the firestone firehawks are OEM issue, and not a normally stocked tire hence the high replacement price (and by the opinions of others on this forum nor are they a great tire). This sucks especially in your case when all you need is one tire to match the set. However You can get decent replacement tires for less than 250 smackeroos...shop around the next time

check this link out for example
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/searchTiresByVehicleAndSize.do?rcz=92126&rc=CASINT&yr=2006&cs=215&rd=17&vid=009328&ar=50

I didn't purchase one car, the reason being that the tires were >$300 each. They were 18 inch 50 series. One down side of performance tires/wheels is the replacement costs.

Sidewall repairs aren't easily done also.

A friend has an '05 vette and has the run flat performance tires. She's is on the third set with less than 40K miles. The sticky nature of the tires make them wear faster than normal. I was told mounting is $70 per tire as all the wheel sensors on the car makes simple mounting and balancing problematic. On one such tire replacement one of the sensors was broken and that sensor was >$100 (dealer broke it and dealer paid to replace it).

Her husband has 22 inchers on his Magnum wagon. They sure look nice, but are pricey to replace. If you want to play, you gotta pay.

The 215-55-16 on the 1LT isn't exactly a popular tire, either. I've replaced two of the OEM Firestones because of road debris and I bought whatever was cheapest and matched the specs. Never paid more than $95 a tire, but it looks like I'm going to have to replace two more tires now--the replacement Yokohama and one more OEM. I was hoping to save some bread for a new set of rims and tires, but I'm going to have to get this done before winter.

Got my eyes on a set of BF Goodrich Traction T/A's over at Sam's.

So do we have the option to change to a more standard tire and wheel size? These are Firestones and you're talking prices normally paid for high end tires like Michelin.

Her husband has 22 inchers on his Magnum wagon. They sure look nice, but are pricey to replace. If you want to play, you gotta pay.
not really, a set of brand new BFG's in 22" is about $600 mounted and balanced

I know the $250 was high. It was a Goodyear tire and not the Firestone ones. I have a trip to make w/ the car and had to work today as well. Time for price shopping wasn't an option...:(

I only paid $156.00 each for my 20's....size was 225/30/20 Nitto's....but if you are in a jam, there is nothing you can do.......regards

http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=8917

wow why havent certain ppl who always say someting like "use the search" didnt say "use the search"

hehe

I knew from the get go those Firestones were no good..
within a month after getting my HHR, wheels and tires were replaced
as soon as I could...

I only have about 11k on my Firestones (16") and I'm thinking of replacing them...choppy ride...not a very good tire to begin with. Goodyear Comforttred is a nice smooth tire but doesn't really handle worth a lick...maybe the GY Response would be a better option if not may the 3XTreds



Goose

Had to have one replace a coupld of weeks ago. Roofing nail. $183.55, lucky for me, not my dime. :lol:

After talking w/ several people, I bought another Goodyear tire to match the one I bought last week. I will run with the 2 OEM Firestones that came with it, and 2 Goodyears. I'll keep them front and back or vice versa.

I got this tire for $148 including shipping online, no tax. That's still a lot for a small tire, imo. Wish GM would have gone with a more basic aka cheaper tire size. This isn't a Vette!

Grrr...another tire today!!

$91 out the door...

hhrcrafty, I think you need to skip the steel belted radials and go with steel tires :lol:

What is that now, all 4 tires replaced?

hhrcrafty, I think you need to skip the steel belted radials and go with steel tires :lol:

:D Or maybe some solid rubber tires? :roll:

My tires (look in my sig) cost me 120 $CA each, mounted and balanced. They seem to be a Falken Ziex 512 replacement / equivalent, so I'm not expecting a great longevity from them (two to three summer or about 50K Km), but they do stick like crazy. I don't think that there's anything else available for less money in Canada.

Yves

hhrcrafty, I think you need to skip the steel belted radials and go with steel tires :lol:

What is that now, all 4 tires replaced?

:mad:

The stupid thing is that this one COULD have been repaired if it wasn't BALD. It was the replacement Yokohama that I'd put on the car after I ran over some accident debris at 1,000 miles. It wore out waaay faster than the stockers.

Now I have two stock tires on the front that I can probably push another 30k out of, and two (now) matching aftermarket tires on the rear.

I only paid $156.00 each for my 20's....size was 225/30/20 Nitto's....but if you are in a jam, there is nothing you can do.......regards

were they neo gens? if so can you send me a link please i paid 186.00 per tire

You guys are having your Tire Shops match the Tire Rack's price right? I mean even with shipping it USUALLY comes out for a lot less



Goose

You guys are having your Tire Shops match the Tire Rack's price right? I mean even with shipping it USUALLY comes out for a lot less



Goose

Probably not in crafty's case (but he can speak for himself). Some people will need their tires NOW (blowouts, unrepairables, etc.). Not in 2 or 3 days.;)

My tires have cost less than anything on Tire Rack.

I'm not sure what in you have Crafty as that is a really good deal being able to purchase tires for less than the Rack. I find most tire shops to be quite a bit higher even with the shipping added in


What I meant by matching was having that shop stock the tire you want and they will match the price right away and install same day...no delivery etc..they just add in the shipping and whatever they charge to mount balance etc. I've saved quite a bit of money on tires on my Matrix and my wifes Vue by going this route at Town Fair Tire.

Of course ymmv at different shops


I guess it was more of a general statement to people who are looking to buy tires and not emergency situations. However if they do have the tire in stock it can't hurt to ask about matching

I never used to think that the road hazard warranties were worth anything until my wife got a flat and trashed the tire. Instead of shelling out 130 to replace the tire it was like 28 bucks. I'll never buy tires without the road hazard protection again


Goose

I had Firestone FireHawk Wide Oval 285/45ZR17 on my Vette and the lateral grip in cornering was outstanding. Much better than the Goodyear's that they replaced. The rears did spin a bit but 360 lb-ft torque had a lot to do with that. The 16" (1LT pkg) Firestone's on Cobbs seem okay, not bad, not great, just average.

Firestone = Bridgestone, Bridgestone = Firestone, BTW.

Ever since I have had the tires rotated on my HHR it seems to be a little more floaty.....not handling quite as well as it did before I rotated them...it almost feels like it did before I installed the sway bar....maybe I should check to make sure the guys didn't steal it!

The Tripletreds are sounding better and better to me...I might bump up to the 17" rims so I'm holding off on a tire purchase for now. The Comforttreds sure do give a nice ride but the handling isn't the greatest. Michelin Exaltos are a great tire but $$


Goose

Have you checked your tire pressure? When the cooler weather arrived, I noticed my HHR was more floaty as well. Tires were down 4 psi each.

Pumped 'em back up and they are fine now.

Have you checked your tire pressure? When the cooler weather arrived, I noticed my HHR was more floaty as well. Tires were down 4 psi each.

Pumped 'em back up and they are fine now.


:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

Tire manufacturers state in their respective brochures, "tires will gain/lose 1 psi for every 10 degrees ambient".