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Just spent a fortune on tires. Please tell me it's worth it!

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by atomickustom, Mar 26, 2012.

  1. atomickustom
    Joined: Aug 30, 2005
    Posts: 3,409

    atomickustom
    Member

    Okay, after a couple years of hemming and hawing I just got off the phone ordering almost exactly $1000 worth of wide whitewall radials for my '53 Chevy sled. I didn't spend that much money for any other part of the car, including the car itself ($850) or the drive train donor ($800), or the A/C system ($700).

    Damn these things are expensive!! I kept waiting to find a used set, or for some other company to start underselling everyone else, but years just kept going by and my skinny whitewalls bothered me more and more every year. Every car I've ever liked had wide whites on it so I know I really want them, but damn! I better be jumping for joy when I get them.
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2012
  2. Goozgaz
    Joined: Jan 11, 2005
    Posts: 2,555

    Goozgaz
    Member

    If your going to spend the money.... tires are a damn good place to do it.
     
  3. atomickustom
    Joined: Aug 30, 2005
    Posts: 3,409

    atomickustom
    Member

    I'm still just gagging on the price. I was even going to grind the skinny whites I have had on there since 2001 but they didn't have enough white rubber to make a decent whitewall.
     
  4. 53choptop
    Joined: Mar 5, 2001
    Posts: 1,203

    53choptop
    Member

    I have been there, was almost thinking of cancelling the order, but once they are on the car, it will be well worth it, wheels and tires make or break a car, besides unless you are planning on driving your car 150K plus miles a year they will last a good while.
     

  5. robyyo
    Joined: Sep 8, 2005
    Posts: 238

    robyyo
    Member
    from Orange CA

    Get the BFG radial T/A. Underneath the raised white lettering is a 2.5" WW.
     
  6. 49ratfink
    Joined: Feb 8, 2004
    Posts: 18,828

    49ratfink
    Member
    from California

    I paid less than that for 6 tires for my motorhome. 16.5" super-duper 10 ply or something like that.

    no whitewalls though.
     
  7. Fenders
    Joined: Sep 8, 2007
    Posts: 3,921

    Fenders
    Member

    Eleven year old tires? Yup sure time to replace.
    You may get shit since they are radials, but they will sure ride nice !
     
  8. Jim J
    Joined: Jul 11, 2011
    Posts: 87

    Jim J
    Member

    whadja get?
     
  9. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,931

    squirrel
    Member

    I bought a 57 chevy one ton truck a while back for $500, and built it on the cheap...then I discovered that putting tires on it was the most expensive part of the project. Over seven bills for generic 16" load range E truck tires.
     
  10. atomickustom
    Joined: Aug 30, 2005
    Posts: 3,409

    atomickustom
    Member

    That guy with the coupe: yeah, I know. I drive the car a couple days a week all year long and often with my family inside so radials it is.

    Jim J: I got Diamond Backs. I didn't mention brand because I don't want to start a long thread debating the merits of various brands and models, or radials vs. bias plys. (There are several of those threads on the HAMB already. Just do a search and you'll see.)

    53choptop: Thank you, that is exactly what I needed to hear.
    Really sharp Olds, by the way. I love those cars.
     
  11. flatheadpete
    Joined: Oct 29, 2003
    Posts: 10,478

    flatheadpete
    Member
    from Burton, MI

    Think of it this way: Tires are the only thing on the road that keep you on the road......
     
  12. Ya. It just plain sucks. It's one of the most expensive items of a build. They have you by the short and curlys when shopping for WWW. There are a few distributers but not much difference in price. Even skinny little bias WWW will set you back over $600. What the hell ya gonna do? It's the icing on the cake. They know that. And they know we'll pay it.
    Ya sure I've made my own WWW on a few real low buck drivers with great results, but there is just no substitue for the real thing.
     
  13. jazz1
    Joined: Apr 30, 2011
    Posts: 1,534

    jazz1
    Member

    quit looking at whitewalls now or you're going to find a set for $25 the exact size
     
  14. Ghost of ElMirage
    Joined: Mar 18, 2007
    Posts: 758

    Ghost of ElMirage
    Member

    Thats not that bad considering the safety factor. I would never run used tires on anything that I or my family and friends were gonna be blowing down the highway in. Tires arent cheap. Three years ago I spent 1000 bux on my wifes car tires cuz she is out on the highway everyday. AND this hobby aint cheap by any means either.
     
  15. MATACONCEPTS
    Joined: Aug 7, 2009
    Posts: 2,069

    MATACONCEPTS
    BANNED

    here you go: I was worth it.
     
  16. TagMan
    Joined: Dec 12, 2002
    Posts: 6,294

    TagMan
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    You got screwed !! I bough 4 good used, WWW for $20.00 total. Of course, that was in 1962.................................:D

    Actually, I spent $800 on a set of WWW about 4 years ago and I'm still thinking I was crazy, but whadda ya gonna do? If you have to spend outlandish money, tires & brakes is probably the most important thing on your car.
     
  17. WornOutOldMan
    Joined: Nov 18, 2010
    Posts: 66

    WornOutOldMan
    Member
    from So Cal

    It's only money. You can't take it with you...
     
  18. Try riding on just rims . End this thread!
     
    Last edited: Mar 26, 2012
  19. Finding used ones are a slim to none chance. Also how old are used ones? usually past their expiry date and unsafe. Tires are a safety thing that should never be compromised. One of those parts of a car that is bought new only and should be one of the last items purchased for a long term project as even new tires can deteriorate and expire in 5 years. I've seem many individuals by a field car for a project ,then go buy a new set of tires for it, meanwhile the car is not going to see the road for years. I am getting off topic, so YES you made an excellent purchase ,once they are mounted on your car, it is priceless and safe too.
     
  20. BLUDICE
    Joined: Jun 23, 2006
    Posts: 1,511

    BLUDICE
    Member

    Man I keep hearing shi% about the rubber only good for 7-8 years and they will start falling apart - that's bullshi% to spend that kind of bucks!! I don't think Corkie needs the money now - he owns damn near everything now - what gives? I don't like driving on 20+ year old bias ply 670x15 WWW. But I sure can't pay that kind of money either - if a tire lets go it will be parked - and that sucks!!
     
  21. ironandsteele
    Joined: Apr 25, 2006
    Posts: 5,918

    ironandsteele
    Member

    Yup, tires are spendy. It was the largest single purchase I made for my coupe and it hurt a little. The sting will go away once you get those puppies mounted and on the car and stand back to take it in.
     
  22. papajohn
    Joined: Nov 2, 2006
    Posts: 896

    papajohn
    Member

    I always joke that everytime I buy new tires/wheels, I end up selling the car! Don't know why.

    I'm sure it will look and ride great, and you will be happy with your purchase. Post some before and after pics when you get them.
     
  23. Topless Ford
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 560

    Topless Ford
    Member

    Kind of OT. I put a $1300 optic on a $900 rifle. Just because it allowed the rifle to perform its best. Tires are the same thing, it is where the rubber meets the road literally! It sucks to do but buy once cry once.
     
  24. Don's Hot Rods
    Joined: Oct 7, 2005
    Posts: 8,319

    Don's Hot Rods
    Member
    from florida

    We were just talking about this the other night. I thought nothing of calling up Coker and spending $ 1000 for each car for tires for my two hot rods, but my daily driver is getting to the point where it will need tires soon and I am really agonizing over spending $ 500.00 on it ! :confused: We rodders love to spend money on our hot rods or customs, but for regular cars it is not so much fun.

    Priorities. :D

    Don
     
  25. atomickustom
    Joined: Aug 30, 2005
    Posts: 3,409

    atomickustom
    Member

    Everyone is making me feel better and I really do appreciate it. (Seriously. I was having strong second thoughts within seconds of hanging up the phone.) Thanks, HAMB.
     
  26. Speed~On
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 1,607

    Speed~On
    Member

    They are expensive, but I like mine. I spent $1,000.00 on my Coker Classic WWW 2 years ago. Then it was another $1,000 for my powder coated steelies later that day. You will love them once you have them mounted and on your ride.
    Your buyers remorse will only last a few days. It is a little depressing though...for all of us that have made the purchase....now you're just sitting in the boat next to us...welcome aboard. :D
     
  27. I like mine. I swapped swapped the tires on my Merc for the very same reason you are. I put the skinny whites on my 64 Pontiac that could have used tires and the skinny's look much better on it. Put wide radials on the Merc and have loved every mile on them (and the nicer look of the wide white).
     
  28. cuznbrucie
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,567

    cuznbrucie
    Member

    I am running a new set of Diamondback whitewalls on my Fiddy One Victoria.......they roll nice, steer well, and are very comfortable.......you did not make a mistake....they are worth the price and will make your driving much safer and comfortable for many many miles........
    [​IMG]

    And now with a '54 Chevy grill.....
    [​IMG]

    CB
     
  29. For once i was looking forward to NOT spending huge money on mag wheels plus tires. It's going to be a treat to save a few thousand and only buy shinny www tires.The wheels are so much cheaper on a shoe with caps.
     
  30. VoodooTwin
    Joined: Jul 13, 2011
    Posts: 3,453

    VoodooTwin
    Member
    from Noo Yawk

    Reminds me of a joke I heard; the cheapest part of a hotrod is............(drum-roll here)..................................the owner. :D

    It applies to me too.......I just received my new tires......two 600-16's and two 750-16's.....blackwall...........with shipping, just a tic over $900. Ouch! But like people said; it's all about safety-first.
     

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