Hey, Guys:

Any tips about buying tires at Costco?
I've always bought tires there for my family vehicles, with no problems, but what about tires for the S? They have the right size at the right price. Anything I should worry about?

Also: I am new to this sports car thing and having rears wear out at 15K is hard on the family budget. what would you recommend as a harder-wearing tire? I do mostly regular city driving with some spirited sojourns on weekends.

Thanks

 

Depends on the brand you are considering. I've bought tires from them before with good luck. The tires on my S are still origonal..6K miles.

 

I was at my local Costco a couple of weeks ago and they DO have OEM tires available for $117 front, $125 rear.

Plus the normal mounting and tax charges.

John

 

Costco doesn't stock the OEM tires man, you need to check again. They do carry some S02s and some S03s (depending on what they get good deals on), but not the W rated ones for the S. It wouldnt make any sense to carry an OEM spec tire for a limited production car.

If you want something that wears better switch to the Bridgestone RE730 which Costco usually carries. Treadwear is over 300 and its a Z-rated tire. It wont be as grippy as the SO-2s. Make sure you get 245/45-16s for the rear.

 

Costco offers great prices on tires, but limited selection. Last time I checked, no S02's of any persuasion, but that was a while ago.

Best deal going on snow tire changeovers, of real importance to you Floridian's, I know. I think I paid $24 total to have four snow tires (purchased elswhere previously) balanced and mounted on the Subaru.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by KeithD
[B]Costco doesn't stock the OEM tires man, you need to check again.

 

By going with 245/45 in the rear (non stock S02) you are attempting to match the "Tread Width" of the OEM rear S02... However, tread width will not always corrospond to contact patch. In other words dont expect a 245/45 S03 rear to be a good match for a 205/55 OEM S02 front. The voids in the tread and the differences in tire compound will be sufficient that the handling will be unpredictable in varing conditions. That same 245/45 S03, however, should be a good match for a 205/55 S03. In other words, If you change tire types (S02 --> S03) you are much better off changing all 4 tires instead of mixing and matching fronts and rears.

Above all else... Remember that when you get a new set of street tires that you are going to have to relearn the handling charachteristics of your car, Especially if they are non OEM and Certainly if they arent matched front to rear. The tires of this car are a very large part of the how and why this car can perform the way it does.

 

From experience, Costco does not repair Z rated and above tires any longer . So if you buy there they will not fix a flat, like they do for other tires they sell. I found this out and confirmed it with home office a couple of months ago, so ask before you buy, you will want to bring it somewhere if you get a flat.