How To Buy Tires When You Can’t Afford Them

A set of new tires is one of the more expensive regular maintenance purchases for any vehicle. It is also one of the most important. Worn or damaged tires are at higher risk of punctures and are more likely to lose traction, leaving you stranded or increasing your chances of being in an accident. If you need new tires, but can’t afford them, there are better options than ignoring the problem.

Finance Your Tires

If you can’t afford to pay for your tires all at once, consider your tire financing options. You may be able to get a new set of tires with as little as $1 down and pay them off over a period of up to two years. Some options do not require a credit check, so you can probably get financing even if you have bad credit. 

Rent Tires

With credit becoming harder to come by and the price of tires going up, some customers are turning to rent-to-own centers for tire purchases. The upside to this option is that you can usually get a new set of tires for a weekly payment you can afford, even if you have bad credit and once you have paid the tires off, you own them.  You also have the option to return the tires and pause your payments if you run into financial trouble. The downside is that you will usually pay significantly more for a set of tires than if you had made the purchase outright. 

Purchase Used Tires

Purchasing a set of tires that already has some wear may not be ideal; however, if you are strapped for cash, buying a set of used tires that are in good condition, is a better idea than driving around on bald tires. If you are going to buy used tires, it is important to know how to evaluate the quality and safety of the tires you are considering. Check the tread depth. Driving on tires that are more than six years old is not recommend by most automotive experts. Read the writing on the side of the tire to determine the age of the tire. Examine the tire for patches, bubbles in the sidewall, and any other damage or defects.

Shop National Stores

The markup on new tires at dealerships and local tire shops is often considerably higher than what you can find online. You can shop for tires from a reputable online seller and have them drop-shipped to a shop in your area for installation. 

Don’t Pay for Features You Don’t Need

There are lots of different kinds of tires on the market and some come with premium prices. If you are planning to drive your vehicle on paved roads in an area that doesn’t get a lot of snow, you may not need to pay for all-season or all-terrain tires. If you are not driving a high-performance vehicle, then you don’t need to pay extra for ultra-performance. 

Purchasing tires when you are low on cash can be a challenge. However, there are ways you can get it done. It is better to stretch your budget than to drive on unsafe wheels.