Negotiate tire upgrade?

Omaha Girl · 03-06-2008, 01:14 PM

Paitence, please. This is my first time doing this. I'm about to purchase a new Prius w/ pkg 3 but am concerned about the tires. Is a tire upgrade something I can negotiate so I can get a credit for the original tires? If so, do I supply the tires and the dealer puts 'em on, or does the dealer handle all that? I'm thinking Triple Treads or Hydroedge 195/60/15. Any other advice before I sign?

Boo · 03-06-2008, 02:48 PM

I've heard that PriusChatters have had varying experiences:

1. Some managed to upgrade the tires with and receive full credit from the dealer (the dealer buys and installs the upgraded tires).

2. Some managed to upgrade the tires and receive full credit at say a Goodyear dealer who installs the TripleTreds.

3. Some managed to upgrade the tires and receive partial (nearly full) credit at an other tire store.

In #2 and #3 above, obviously it's best to have as few miles on the car as possible. EDIT: Note that some outside tire dealers may not accept a trade (even if it's a Goodyear dealer and you're trying to trade in your Integrities). So you're going to have check this out and reach agreement with the outside tire dealer before you pick-up your Prius from Toyota.

Also, as with all trade-ins, you should know how much it would cost if you were buy the upgraded tires without a trade-in.

Finally, if neither the dealer nor outside tire store will do a trade-in/upgrade for you on reasonable terms, you can always try to sell the OEM tires here on PriusChat or eBay.

Good luck.

Qlara · 03-06-2008, 04:47 PM

Well, it always depends on the dealers (or the mood they're in), but I don't see why not.

Everything is negotiable, it's just that if you could get best value in the deal or not. For instance, if they accept your 4 (brand new) OEM tires for just $100....will you still do it?

Omaha Girl · 03-06-2008, 10:42 PM

Thanks for the advice! I'll try it and see how it goes...

removeum · 03-06-2008, 11:09 PM

You should talk with your salesman. Did you purchase your car at Performance Toyota, Old Mill or Bellevue Toyota?

Rhino678 · 03-07-2008, 12:45 AM

I have no problems with the stock tires...plus I am some kind of something that if I rotate at dealership every 5000 I get the next set free. Not sure

Vic Doucette · 03-07-2008, 05:32 AM

Car salespeople and car dealers live and die by the evaluation forms sent out by the auto manufacturers to the car buyers shortly after a new car is purchased.
The purchaser is asked a great many questions about the whole experience, and is asked to answer each question on a sliding scale, usually from "completely satisfied" to "completely unsatisfied."

You can use this to your advantage, as I did, if you want different tires for your Prius.

I told my salesperson that I hated the Goodyear Integrity tires and wouldn't buy the car with those tires.

I told him I would fill out the customer survey with 100% "completely satisfied," if he would substitute either Michelin Harmony or Michelein Hydroedge tires.

He got the Harmony tires for me, I gave him the survey response I promised him.

Everybody won.

pewd · 03-07-2008, 08:37 AM

if it was me, i'd go talk to my local tire shop before buying the car.
then the next day after driving it home, go to the tire shop and have the tires changed out. that would probably be less stressful than trying to get the dealer to switch them before purchase.

of course, thats based on a) loving my local tire ship (TRW) and b) not really enjoying talking to / working with / negotiating with dealers

ravenmaniac · 03-07-2008, 10:48 AM

Are the tires that you are upgrading to the same size? If not, you might take a hit on your gas mileage. Also, I would go with the TripleTreds over the Hydroedges. They are cheaper, have almost the same warranty, and I have used both of these tires on my various cars. Speaking from experience, the Tripletreds seem to be the better way to go.

Good Luck on your purchase!!!

Don B · 03-08-2008, 12:44 AM

I did this when I bought my 07 last Sept. I read this chat board and decided the Integritys were inferior and decided on the Good Year Comfort Treads to get a marginally better and quieter ride, and better traction (according to the Good Year website). I wanted to stay with Good year and the same size.

The Toyota dealer would have nothing to do with it, but the Good Year dealer in my neighborhood with whom I have dealt with in the past agreed to the switch. I took it in with 24 miles on it and got a trade-in of $52 toward the $110 cost per tire of the Comfort Treads. I am pleased with them, but honestly can't compare them to the Integritys with that little distance.

We have 8" of snow outside, so they may get a test tomorrow.

BTW, I love the car! Seaside Pearl, pkg 2. I waited 4 weeks for that or the green to come in.

03-06-2008, 01:14 PM	#1
Omaha Girl Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 2 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Negotiate tire upgrade? Paitence, please. This is my first time doing this. I'm about to purchase a new Prius w/ pkg 3 but am concerned about the tires. Is a tire upgrade something I can negotiate so I can get a credit for the original tires? If so, do I supply the tires and the dealer puts 'em on, or does the dealer handle all that? I'm thinking Triple Treads or Hydroedge 195/60/15. Any other advice before I sign?

03-06-2008, 10:42 PM	#4
Omaha Girl Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 2 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Negotiate tire upgrade? Thanks for the advice! I'll try it and see how it goes...

03-06-2008, 11:09 PM	#5
removeum Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 401 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Negotiate tire upgrade? You should talk with your salesman. Did you purchase your car at Performance Toyota, Old Mill or Bellevue Toyota?

03-07-2008, 12:45 AM	#6
Rhino678 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Burns Flat, Oklahoma Posts: 9 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Negotiate tire upgrade? I have no problems with the stock tires...plus I am some kind of something that if I rotate at dealership every 5000 I get the next set free. Not sure

03-07-2008, 05:32 AM	#7
Vic Doucette Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 15 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Negotiate tire upgrade? Car salespeople and car dealers live and die by the evaluation forms sent out by the auto manufacturers to the car buyers shortly after a new car is purchased. The purchaser is asked a great many questions about the whole experience, and is asked to answer each question on a sliding scale, usually from "completely satisfied" to "completely unsatisfied." You can use this to your advantage, as I did, if you want different tires for your Prius. I told my salesperson that I hated the Goodyear Integrity tires and wouldn't buy the car with those tires. I told him I would fill out the customer survey with 100% "completely satisfied," if he would substitute either Michelin Harmony or Michelein Hydroedge tires. He got the Harmony tires for me, I gave him the survey response I promised him. Everybody won.

03-06-2008, 02:48 PM	#2
Boo Boola Boola Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,050 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Re: Negotiate tire upgrade? I've heard that PriusChatters have had varying experiences: 1. Some managed to upgrade the tires with and receive full credit from the dealer (the dealer buys and installs the upgraded tires). 2. Some managed to upgrade the tires and receive full credit at say a Goodyear dealer who installs the TripleTreds. 3. Some managed to upgrade the tires and receive partial (nearly full) credit at an other tire store. In #2 and #3 above, obviously it's best to have as few miles on the car as possible. EDIT: Note that some outside tire dealers may not accept a trade (even if it's a Goodyear dealer and you're trying to trade in your Integrities). So you're going to have check this out and reach agreement with the outside tire dealer before you pick-up your Prius from Toyota. Also, as with all trade-ins, you should know how much it would cost if you were buy the upgraded tires without a trade-in. Finally, if neither the dealer nor outside tire store will do a trade-in/upgrade for you on reasonable terms, you can always try to sell the OEM tires here on PriusChat or eBay. Good luck. __________________ Best regards, Tom 07 Pkg 2 Magnetic Gray - GY TripleTreds 195/60/15, BT Tech Stiffening Plate & Strut Tower Brace, Philips X-Treme Power Headlights 9003/H4/HB2, BumperDefender.com Bumper Guard Strips, PriusChat Body Side Moldings & Rear Bumper Protector, NoBump.com License Plate Screw Bumpers, Bumper Bully, Wheelskins Leather Steering Wheel Cover, PriusHoods.com Leather Center Console Cover, Rubber Queen Center-Hump Litter Basket, eBay Non-Slip Pads, Dalmatian Bobble Heads. Last edited by Boo; 03-08-2008 at 01:57 AM.

03-06-2008, 04:47 PM	#3
Qlara Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 241 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Negotiate tire upgrade? Well, it always depends on the dealers (or the mood they're in), but I don't see why not. Everything is negotiable, it's just that if you could get best value in the deal or not. For instance, if they accept your 4 (brand new) OEM tires for just $100....will you still do it?

03-07-2008, 08:37 AM	#8
pewd Clarinet Dude Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 303 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #1 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	Re: Negotiate tire upgrade? if it was me, i'd go talk to my local tire shop before buying the car. then the next day after driving it home, go to the tire shop and have the tires changed out. that would probably be less stressful than trying to get the dealer to switch them before purchase. of course, thats based on a) loving my local tire ship (TRW) and b) not really enjoying talking to / working with / negotiating with dealers

03-07-2008, 10:48 AM	#9
ravenmaniac Senior Executive VP of Nothing Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: DC Metro Area Posts: 104 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	Re: Negotiate tire upgrade? Are the tires that you are upgrading to the same size? If not, you might take a hit on your gas mileage. Also, I would go with the TripleTreds over the Hydroedges. They are cheaper, have almost the same warranty, and I have used both of these tires on my various cars. Speaking from experience, the Tripletreds seem to be the better way to go. Good Luck on your purchase!!!

03-08-2008, 12:44 AM	#10
Don B Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Negotiate tire upgrade? I did this when I bought my 07 last Sept. I read this chat board and decided the Integritys were inferior and decided on the Good Year Comfort Treads to get a marginally better and quieter ride, and better traction (according to the Good Year website). I wanted to stay with Good year and the same size. The Toyota dealer would have nothing to do with it, but the Good Year dealer in my neighborhood with whom I have dealt with in the past agreed to the switch. I took it in with 24 miles on it and got a trade-in of $52 toward the $110 cost per tire of the Comfort Treads. I am pleased with them, but honestly can't compare them to the Integritys with that little distance. We have 8" of snow outside, so they may get a test tomorrow. BTW, I love the car! Seaside Pearl, pkg 2. I waited 4 weeks for that or the green to come in.