I think it would be rare to see someone with cheap asss tires to have had any service except for warranty work done at the dealer, esp with a car like that.

A lot of people are cheap with their cars sometimes.

If every service was completed at the dealer w/o any missing receipts, then it may be overlooked.



Most people aren't smart when it come to buying cars.

 

I was unaware we were talking about old beaters. When you're talking some sub-$5k clunker, yeah, anything goes. I'm only talking about late-model CPO type cars.

I would. Who is going to pay to have their car serviced at the dealer ($$$$$) and then buy garbage-ass tires ($) to save a buck? No one. Right or wrong, using the type of cheap crap says to me "this car was not properly maintained." And unless we're talking about a Buggati Royale, the car isn't that rare, why not go find one that doesn't raise such questions in your mind? 335is are a dime a dozen, why buy one with such an obvious flaw that needs to be rectified?

 

You obviously didn't get my point!


You would be surprised to see what kind of tires are on customer's cars at the local MB or BMW service centers. Go check it out sometimes and get back to me on that!

 

I know someone who has two vehicles that are perfectly well-maintained, haven't had any issues since purchase, actually, but when tires need replacing -- they actually do specifically choose Mastercraft tires (right down to your example). They don't research tires, they don't care about $1000/ea tires, they have always gotten tires from Canadian Tire and have been fine with them. I'd have no problem purchasing their cars because I know, in that case, it absolutely does NOT reflect how they maintain or treat the rest of the car. They just don't understand what a safety item, like tires, is and how different models CAN make a difference. I also know people who buy tires at Costco and Sears...yet, their cars are perfectly run, maintained, and monitored as well. These are different people than I was referring to in my previous post. So again, I really don't think you can generalize.

I also know someone who does well in life and can purchase any car they want. Yet, they'd rather have a car that works well and spend their money on other hobbies than spending extra money on 'better' tires when they need replacing.

 

Most people aren't smart when it comes to buying tires.

 

^ Disagree -- some people just don't care which tire is recommended -- they just know they need tires, want them replaced, and then move on with the day.

 

Perfect example!

Another example, my dad owns a 2005 Lexus GX470. Whenever he needs new tires, he tells me to go buy him some...the cheapest ones! He doesn't care about what is good or not; all he cares if they're new with plenty of threads and rides smooth and quiet. I usually just get him some Kumhos because they're generally cheaper than Michelins, Pirellis, Continental, etc....

But one thing he does stress is...to keep his car up to date on oil changes, TSBs, regular maintenance, etc....I'm a home DIY dude so I do all those for him. Would I buy his car even though it got some cheap tires....heck yeah!

 

You're right. Most people don't care. It's like why spend $1000 on tires alone when an oil change is already $155?

 

kuhmos are acceptable. They are inexpensive and i have purchased many sets of these before and have been very satisfied. I don't buy oem tires b/c there are usually tires that are less expensive and will do the same job with the same mileage as the expensive one.

Unless i get the higher priced tires for the same price as the cheaper ones i buy, they won't go on my car with my money.

 

When i have purchased tires previously, i would hear other customers conversations with the employee. The employee gives the price of the cheapest tire and then moves up depending on the requirements of the customer. Normally most people who don't have a clue will pick a middle of the road tire that is not the cheapest nor the most expensive.

 

Hey! I bought tires for the minivan @ Costco several years ago-- V-rated BFG Traction T/As for autocrossing it!

Costco also sells the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S and PS-2 (so highly regarded by sports car drivers ) for the TL, along with the Bridgestone RE-030/050 and all the OEM TL tires.

Sears sells various Bridgestones and Michelins (which also produced the "Roadhandler"-branded touring/mass-market tires for Sears).

Don't be so condescending to Sears & Costco customers!
Now, Walmart customers, OTOH...

 

I disagree. I'm fanatical about maintenance. I do most of it myself, and take pride in knowing it's done well. And I've also used tires that cost much less than OEM replacement. They've been fine, and I've never had anyone mention to me that the car was, "................ not properly maintained". My maintenance involves making the car perform as it should and be in top mechanical condition, not making sure I have a fancy name on a tire sidewall.




Terry

 

I used to get all my tires from Sam's Club (another version of Costco) and they do sell the top models from Michelins, Bridgestones, etc.... Still, most people shopping for tires only want what's cheap and move on.

 

I honestly don't care. When I'm buying with my money, I'll shop the way I see fit, and I'll avoid buying cars with junk tires. That your brother's dog catcher's uncle's wife shods her $400k Rolls with $35 Hoonkangjiang SuperHyperHappyJoys (I made that up) is irrelevant to me.

 

But do you see what I'm saying about Kumho/Michelin/Pirelli/Continental are all well above Mastercraft/General/Chinese garbage? That someone buys Michelin All-Seasons instead of Pilot Sport Cups for their Lexus is not the issue. The issue is using the bottom-of-the-barrel crap that isn't even from a reputable name brand. That's all.

 

Jeebus. Am I typing in Spanish? I don't care that your tires cost less than OEM. I've NEVER bought the OEM S-02s for my car, because I think there are better options for less money. But chosing to but RE-11s or Direzza Star Specs for $130/tire instead of S-02s for $180/tire isn't the issue.

The issue is chosing $35 Mastercraft Runcraps or equivalent.

 

Interesting points.
I have noticed that at the shop I buy tires and have some other service done, they seem happy that I actually researched tires, am willing to buy decent ones and actually rotate them regularly. Similarly, when I went to buy a battery this winter for my 2000 Accord, the salesman noted the age of the car, asked how long I wanted to keep it and automatically brought up the cheapest one. He seemed surprised that I said indefinitely and asked about one of the better batteries. I felt like telling him that I wasn't driving an 11-year-old car because it's all I could afford. But I didn't.

---
I don't think it will skew the discussion at this point to mention the specifics of the car, so if anyone's curious, it was a CPO 2008 Acura TSX with 20K miles. Nankang tires, resurfaced rotors (surface rust was noted on the report) new battery and wipers, quite a few small paint dings, a surprisingly dirty interior and a key fob that looked like it was ten years older than the car. I mention that last detail as it was the last thing I looked at before setting it down on the salesman's desk, realizing that I had come all that way and really would not be leaving with the car.

I took some time to look around, have lunch and talk it over before letting the salesman know of my decision, but I think he knew. I will at least say that, despite the disappointment in the car, the treatment by the sales staff was one of the best I've experienced.

 

I bet you that a lot of "non-enthusiasts" or people who don't put cars on their top 5 priorities do ALL of their maintenance at dealers for the entire life of their cars because they just don't KNOW that they have the option to take their car elsewhere. Some people choose to do all maintenance at dealers during the warranty period, others have the belief that dealers' costs for service are similar to others, and so don't shop around. Some people take their cars to the dealer because they think dealer work is superior in some way. Some people take it there to keep the records in one spot. Some people take it to a dealer out of location or convenience and/or wanting a loaner car. Some do it out of loyalty or great customer service. Again, you're narrowing your argument without realizing the bigger picture. So, the amount they spend on repairs might be huge, and they might choose to buy tires elsewhere because they realize they can. Yes, there ARE some people like that.

 

No, you're not. You're instead choosing to paint everyone that chooses not to use a tire that you don't deem appropriate as someone unwilling or unable to maintain a car. And others are disagreeing with you. I've used both the General and the Canadian Tire Mastercraft tires you choose to belittle, and have found both to be great tires. And it seems the majority of others, based on personal experience, and who are contributing to this thread feel the same.





Terry

 

Mastercrafts are made in Cannuckistan? Ohhhhh, it all makes sense now.

 

Great response. Not entirely unexpected, however.






Terry

 

FWIW, the key fob on my TSX wore REALLY badly, I wouldn't use that as a mark against the car. The Wangchung tires, on the other hand....

These pics were after ~3 years of use.

 

OMG!!! They key fob was worn as well?!?!
Definitely a sign to run!
....Or, you could spend $60 if it meant that much to you and purchased a new one (if you bought the car). But wait, you wouldn't have bought the car because the fob looked awful. BTW, our TSX key fob looked awful too. Thank goodness we were able to sell the thing with it looking like that. *wipes brow*

And surface rust appears in two days of wet weather outside if I don't drive my car. It also goes away within a few mins of driving and braking.

 

The issue is whether would one look at and consider tires on a used sports sedan.

In addition to looking initially for odd(uneven) tire wear, I would also try get more feedback about a car if it was shod with NT-05 or AD08s as opposed to MXV, Turanza or Eagle LS tires based on the assumption that an enthusiast owned it.
I may not ask certain questions (of the owner, as opposed to a dealership) if the car had OEM or similar-to-OEM tires.
I would assume any owner using Nankings or Mastercraft-type tires are budget conscious, and like OP Carraway would rely more heavily on the other aspects of the car to determine if it's a viable purchase.

 

I had this happened to me before. But I didn't listen to him and bought an Optima Red Top! He sure felt sour!

So are you going to buy it?

The key fob reminds me of my wife. When I bought my RL, I bought a brand new key fob for her as well. After just 3+ years, that fob looks like it came from the 80s. God knows what's in her purse! a cat possibly! hahhaha

 

I always thought a worn key fob was an indication of poorly maintained car. I just scratched one of mine the other day, so I suppose the value of the vehicle has dropped substantially.





Terry

 

Good grief. OK, maybe I shouldn't have mentioned the key fob. That was just the last thing I noticed when I set it on the desk, knowing this wasn't going to be my car.

When I put all this together, I decided that the car was likely owned by someone who didn't care for it, certified by a dealer that took the cheapest possible route, and that I would have to spend quite a bit more to get it to drive as it should (and the choice of brakes and tires were noticeable in the test drive). That's why I walked away. Or, rather, drove far away, back home.

I guess mostly what I've learned from this thread is that people are pretty well set in their ideas of what can and cannot be used to evaluate a car, including me. If I would come across a car where I knew the owner took care of it but just bought cheap tires, I'd consider that, but barring that knowledge, I'll continue to look at any car wearing them with suspicion.

 

Not intending to be offtopic, but I've had good luck with Costco batteries. I use them in many of my vehicles including the commercial trucks, and have only had one incident when a battery needed to be returned. After two and a half years Costco took it back with no questions and gave me a full credit.





Terry

 

Since my wife has one of my key fob that looks like it came from the stone age, the value of my car must be worth that much also or not properly maintained like it?

 

Your wife is scratched up, worn and needs new batteries?

Wait, you're not Yumcha, right?



Hey, my fob's only worn out because I couldn't find a rubber cover for it for the first 3 years!

 

Seriously though, a good and honest opinion from an impartial third party can be invaluable. If a car has good service records and history, you shouldn't let less expensive tires deter you. As mentioned, dealers and individuals alike will most likely use a lower priced tire when the car is going to be sold. If you find one you like, and the dealer or individual is reputable, then neither should have a problem with it being inspected by a third party.





Terry

 

Yup...at the end or beginning of every month, she's all scratched up, worn down and needs new batteries to re-energize herself so she can start making me breakfast again.

 

waffles i hope

 

Yea, but your tire generalization still isnt accurate. Like in your post you claim General is crap. They arent. They happen to have one of the best snow tires period. They also have a very popular and very capable all season tire that is very good. Claiming Name brand is better isnt always true. Just like with HP tires. The new Hankook RS3 will no doubtingly run circles around the Mich pilot sports. Would you look at the car with Hankooks?

 

I look at tires. If they suck I try to knock down the price.