Little Red L98

Guy on CL is selling three used and one new Michelin 275/40zr/17 Pilot Sport A/S tires that should fit my 89. Three used tires are at 9/32 tread depth and the new one at 10/32. He wants $485 but willing to negotiate. Says they were manufactured in 2009 and that they should last another 30k miles.

What does forum member wisdom say? Worth a look and if in good shape should I offer him $400?

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/d...417709884.html

WVZR-1

They're 5+ years old possibly so I'd say it would need considerable thought. Get the specific date codes. A good bit might depend on how they were either stored or used. On a car that has sat for the majority of the five years they could be "flat spotted" to the point of being considered not useable, if they were on a car and stored indoors it might make a difference but I doubt I could say they're "wise buy".

I'd say that even at $400 it would be a stretch. 275's are out their and if you shopped hard new with a warranty might not break the bank. Don't let the retail of the tires "when new" influence you in your establishing value.

You've got the mount and balance to consider also. If they were on wheels that would fit your car and you could drive them maybe they're worth considering but aside from that I'd say not. Some shops might actually pass on the mount of a tire with the age.

charliet615

You know, i just bought a set (4) of the same tires for 1270.00. so that is not a bad price, however they are 5 years old. I will say they are good tires and ride very well.

MITCH

I am putting on Bridgestone poteza RE 760 tomorrow. You can find them on the web for 142.00 per tire.

Camcrazy

Firestone Firehawks in that size are going for $125 each right now.

Little Red L98

Good tire I take it?

Camcrazy

Yes they are, but then again I may be a little bias! I worked for Bridgestone/Firestone for 38 years. But joking aside they are good tires and they received pretty high marks from the reviews on the Tire Rack sight.

shakedown067

Five year old tires as your new tires? On a corvette? No thanks. Both new tires listed above would ride better and be safer than the old michelins.

Little Red L98

Thanks for the comments. I'm convinced that I should stay away. Thing is I had a blowout a couple months back while on a trip and replaced it with what was available on the spot to get back on the road. Now I have to replace the other three. The replacement is a Nexen N3000 which seems like a pretty obscure brand with so-so reviews. So I have to decide whether to find three more or take a plunge for four new "quality" tires.

WVZR-1

Someone was looking for a Nexen N3000 just last week. "Leesvet" maybe?

here's the thread:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...xen-tires.html

Richard Raichert

I put these on my 94 and do like them. Good forum reviews and they are quiet runners. Bought at Firestone dealer for $701 total for 4, which included Road Force balancing and all taxes.

Little Red L98

I hear a lot of good things about Nittos on the forum and will include them in my search.

VeryUnoriginal

Also look at Nitto NT555. I have them on mine and I got the front tires brand new for $105 and the rears for $115 a piece. I'm running 255's in the front and 285's in the rear. Great tires.

shakedown067

Have heard a lot of good comments from fellow Vette owners on those.

3JsVette

There's plenty to choose from in 275/40-17s then to buy 5 year old Michelins just because the price is right. Take the advise of the others and look into what's available. For a little bit more you will be riding on brand new tires with current technology.

Retxpres

Do yourself a favor and buy new tires. I just realized that six years ago when I bought tires from TR that they sent me tires that were six years old at the time. I never knew about tire dates. The thought the hard ride that I was experiencing, was just the nature of the new tires. Wrong...
It only got worst.
Buy new tires and make sure the date on the sidewall is new stock...
My best advice!