Woohoo! "Reserved" myself a set of used Insight tires (Bridgestone Potenza RE92)
 

I've been on the lookout for a used set of 1st gen. Insight tires for a while now. (Why used? Because I don't drive much and any new set of tires I buy will die of dry rot before I ever wear them out, so it seems the fiscally prudent approach.)

I know of two people with 1st gen Insights. Inquired if they happened to have the right tires on their cars, and one owner sent me this pic last night:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1274095700

:D :D :D

He said to check with him in a year when he figured he'd be replacing them.

You know you're an EcoModder when... you get a little bit excited about a set of used LRR tires a year distant in your future.

Atta boy! :thumbup:

Well, I can't say I ever plan on purchasing used tires, but it always happens that way. The only new tires I've ever bought have been when people replace them, then send the car to the junkyard without ever taking them off.

I pay $15 for the new tire and aluminum rim ($11 for tire and steel) and turn the rim back in to the recycling center for up to $15 = nearly free tire at times.

I once asked a local yard about buying a set of almost new tires off a junked car, and they wouldn't sell them for liability reasons. Which seemed weird to me, considering all the other used junk they sell.

I wouldn't normally buy used tires either, but these are the Holy Grail of hard-to-find used tires :). Also, it's not certain that I will actually have to pay for them.

For future reference:

RE92 specs from Tire Rack:

Bridgestone Potenza RE92

Size: 165/65R14
Service Description: 78S SL, Low Rolling Resistance
UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grade): Treadwear 260, Traction: A, Temperature: B
Max Load: 937 lbs.
Max. Inflation Press: 44 psi
Tread Depth: 9/32"
Tire Weight: 13 lbs
Rim Width Range: 4.5-6"
Meas. Rim Width: 5"
Sect. Width: 6.5"
Tread Width: 5"
Overall Diam: 22.5"
Revs Per Mile: 926
Country of Origin "JP" = JAPANJP
Load Index 78 = 937lbs (425kg) per tire
Speed Rating “S” = 112mph (180kph)

Looks like a set of OEM Suzuki 7-spoke 14 inch alloys + RE92 165's weighs a couple of pounds less than my current 13 inch steelies with 155/80's.

Have a line on the alloys... whether I go for them depends on shipping.

Lucky.

Are these the same RE92s that come as OEM on 05-09 subaru outbacks?

They get brought up a lot at the .org

They're known for hydroplaning more than anything over there.

But hey, low RR is low RR. It's a shame you can't use a subaru sized tire because most people get rid of them ASAP and probably would gladly hand them over if someone asked.

They probably are the same. The RE92 is rated pretty bad on tirerack. But, I'd be willing to bet that if pumped up to max sidewall that the tendency to hydroplane goes away. Combine that with a hypermilers habits to not speed everywhere all the time and you actually have a pretty good/safe tire.

I've actually inquired about this. In the US, that I can find, there is no *actual* liability issue with it. However, there's always some jerkoff lawyer that will eventually find a way to dick with the laws enough to hold someone else accountable for an operator's stupidity. It never fails.

So, in reality, it's not a liability problem. It's an "I don't want to eventually be held liable because of some stupid jerkoff's deep wallet and lack of intelligence." problem.