Major Gripe about Tires

[spidernut]

So I was putting my new convertible top on my Spider - the last part of the rebuild that needed to be done - and I backed out of the garage and heard a hissing sound coming from my right front tire. The sidewall was leaking through a crack in the rubber. Since the tires are barely worn and they have no date stamp that I can see, I figured that I need to replace them.

Stock alloy rim using a 165 80 R 13 tire:

- FIrestone: Doesn't have them, can't get them
- Sears: Doesn't have them, can't get them
- Discount Tire: Doesn't have them, can't get them
- Les Schwab: Closed, nothing online
- TireRack: Doesn't have them, can't get them
- PepBoys: Doesn't have them, can't get them

I checked several other sources and can only find one or two places that have the tires and I've never heard of the companies or the tire brands. I really like the alloy rims, just bought new center caps and now I can't find tires. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Anyone know where to get these things? This is ridiculous!

[4uall]

believe it or not i just went through the same thing with my spare. I actually picked up a new tire ................wait for it..........at WAL*Mart It only cost $30 I would have preferred to match the BF Goodrichs however, slim pickins up here too

http://wwwe.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopi ... a&start=15

[spidernut]

Walmart here says: No longer available.

[vandor]

This has been going on for years, 13" tires are getting hard to find.
However, you should try looking for the 'plus zero' size: 185/70-13. I think you may have better luck.
Try online too: Tire Rack, and Discount Tire.

[redcars]

If you can't find the 185/70-13 try the 175/70-13 that is a size many econo boxs used. The are a little short but not to bad.

[DocGraphics]

X2 on the 185/70-13's, i had them on my BWA rims & the speedo was dead on, plus gets a little more rubber on the ground.
My local Discount Tire has both the Falkens & Kumhos in that size, $61 & $75 respectively.

[RoyBatty]

I have been able to drive into Americas Tire on Sunrise and Folsom twice and get tires with no special orders or waiting.
Falken 175/70/13. There is another brand they have that is a better performance tire for a little bit more and I think the size is 185. Give them a try.

[spidernut]

Thanks everyone. I found a set of 185s, got them installed today. Whew! I love this forum. The tire stores did absolutely nothing to try to find a suitable replacement for the 165s. Everyone here provided sound advice. That's why this forum is so awesome!!!

[LIQUIDLOUNGE]

Maxxus tires has a good selection of 13" tires. They are made in Tiawan more than likely, as the Maxxus tires on My Polaris ATV are made there. They had the exact oem size for my '76.

[FulviaHF]

Maxxus tires has a good selection of 13" tires. They are made in Tiawan more than likely, as the Maxxus tires on My Polaris ATV are made there. They had the exact oem size for my '76.

Personally I'd stay away from tires from China or India on a performance car. You can still find very good 165/80-13; they aren't going to come very cheap. Vredestein Sprints are about $100, and Michelin XAS for (gulp) $240. Apiece. So they're pricey, but tires make a huge difference to teh handling of the car, and even if you do 10,000 miles per year, they'll last at least 4 years--a lot of time to suffer with crap tires, nad a lot of time to amortize decent ones.