EV Chat General discussion about electrified Lexus, other EV vehicle manufacturers and BEV, PHEV related industry news.

Tesla Tire Tax... Ouch!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-25-22, 09:11 AM
  #1  
JeffKeryk
Racer
Thread Starter
 
JeffKeryk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: CA
Posts: 1,933
Received 531 Likes on 361 Posts
Default Tesla Tire Tax... Ouch!

We already have to pay the "Toyota tax". I just found out about the "Tesla tire tax".
We picked up a screw near the sidewall of our 2018 Model 3 Mid Range. 10K miles on the clock.
I had to air up the tire to fit the jack underneath. I have some Tesla style hockey pucks to jack the car. Man it is heavy!

Anyways, Continental ProContact RX 235/40/R19... List $364.
Wheel Works (Firestone) is pretty good to me; they gave me a little over 10% off.
$370 out the door, including the governor's tax.
Ouch!

Wifey said, "We're screwed." Then we laughed...

In AA we call this stuff, "Luxury problems..." Better than jail all day long.
Bottom line; if replacing a tire is the biggest problem in my life I am living a pretty charmed life. All good.
But man that screw was expensive!
Old 07-25-22, 09:28 AM
  #2  
LeX2K
Lexus Fanatic
 
LeX2K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Alberta
Posts: 20,207
Received 2,933 Likes on 2,470 Posts
Default

Semi NSFW
Spoiler
 

This is the low profile tire tax. Why can't cars have reasonable sidewalls like 50.
Old 07-25-22, 09:57 AM
  #3  
tex2670
Lexus Champion
 
tex2670's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Southeastern PA
Posts: 10,098
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

Ok but aren't they also RFTs, which tend to cost more than conventional tires? Low profile + RFTs = $$$$.
Old 07-25-22, 10:04 AM
  #4  
Toys4RJill
Lexus Fanatic
 
Toys4RJill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ON/NY
Posts: 31,186
Received 64 Likes on 55 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by JeffKeryk
We already have to pay the "Toyota tax". I!
What is a Toyota Tax? JeffKeryk
Old 07-25-22, 12:25 PM
  #5  
bitkahuna
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
 
bitkahuna's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Present
Posts: 74,902
Received 2,440 Likes on 1,600 Posts
Default

hardly unique to tesla. a tire set for my lc500 is $2K and up.

also, i would NEVER buy a single tire to replace a tire that had 10k mi. on it. would always replace at least the same wheel set (fronts or backs). if awd, i'd replace all 4. just me.
Old 07-25-22, 12:51 PM
  #6  
1111GS
Moderator
 
1111GS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: US
Posts: 2,938
Received 92 Likes on 80 Posts
Default

Yeah I would at least do a pair. But your car is a lot more expensive. 2k is typical for your range of price vehicles. Not sure why this particular one is this much. Similar sized Michelins for Camry is about 260.
Old 07-25-22, 01:08 PM
  #7  
AMIRZA786
Lexus Champion
 
AMIRZA786's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: California
Posts: 13,800
Received 2,151 Likes on 1,672 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 1111GS
Yeah I would at least do a pair. But your car is a lot more expensive. 2k is typical for your range of price vehicles. Not sure why this particular one is this much. Similar sized Michelins for Camry is about 260.
They are padded tires, where they have a padded foam lining to reduce noise. I got a screw in my Polestar's Michelin Primacy's, took it to my mechanic who normally repairs my tires...he said he needed to order a special repair kit. I ended up having to take it to a Big O tires to repair the leak. You can technically buy "regular" non padded tires, but they are going to be loud at hwy speeds.

And yes, at the minimum I would replace them as a pair for sure, especially with 10K on them and store the old ones in my garage...just in case
Old 07-25-22, 02:02 PM
  #8  
FrankReynoldsCPA
Lexus Test Driver
 
FrankReynoldsCPA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 6,918
Received 95 Likes on 67 Posts
Default

LOL, the BFG KO2's(not cheap tires) on my truck were only like $230/tire. They really do rip you off for low profile tires.

Old 07-25-22, 08:46 PM
  #9  
JeffKeryk
Racer
Thread Starter
 
JeffKeryk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: CA
Posts: 1,933
Received 531 Likes on 361 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by LexsCTJill
What is a Toyota Tax? JeffKeryk
"Toyota Tax" is slang that refers to used Toyota resale value as compared to most other similar vehicles.
Old 07-25-22, 08:49 PM
  #10  
JeffKeryk
Racer
Thread Starter
 
JeffKeryk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: CA
Posts: 1,933
Received 531 Likes on 361 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by bitkahuna
hardly unique to tesla. a tire set for my lc500 is $2K and up.

also, i would NEVER buy a single tire to replace a tire that had 10k mi. on it. would always replace at least the same wheel set (fronts or backs). if awd, i'd replace all 4. just me.
$2,000? Wow... What tires are those? I recently replaced the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S on our GS350 F Sport (split sizes) for $1600 all in including lifetime alignment, warranty , etc.
Wheel Works (Firestone) price matched Costco for the rubber. They treat me well.

The $370 today was tire, mount and balance and tax for a loose tire as I brought it in.
By the way, I have replaced 1 tire numerous times on damaged tires on trucks, Corvettes and more with zero problems. And I have to imagine there are millions of cars today in the same boat. What problems have you encountered?

All good; I am just curious...
By the way, the Contis are nice tires. I have generally been a Michelin or Bridgestone customer. I recently put a set on a friend's '19 CRV-EXL replacing the OE rubber. They transformed the vehicle.

Last edited by JeffKeryk; 07-25-22 at 09:04 PM.
Old 07-26-22, 05:25 AM
  #11  
Vladi
Pole Position
 
Vladi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,667
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

Tesla 3 is not that heavy so "regular" tire load would do, Not sure why you need runflats, I presonally hate them altough there are some that are good,
Old 07-26-22, 05:27 AM
  #12  
Vladi
Pole Position
 
Vladi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,667
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by JeffKeryk
"Toyota Tax" is slang that refers to used Toyota resale value as compared to most other similar vehicles.
In Europe if you wanted OEM tire for Toyota Avensis you had only one option: a dealer. It was some wierd size too so not many or if any options were available for 17" OEM wheel. I forgot who was the rubber manufacturer but the whole tire alocation went to Toyota.
Old 07-26-22, 07:11 AM
  #13  
JeffKeryk
Racer
Thread Starter
 
JeffKeryk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: CA
Posts: 1,933
Received 531 Likes on 361 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Vladi
Tesla 3 is not that heavy so "regular" tire load would do, Not sure why you need runflats, I presonally hate them altough there are some that are good,
I didn't know the Continental ProContact RX tires were runflats... Whouda thunk it?
When it comes time to replace the set of 4, the cars will be out for long enough that there will be some good alternate choices.
Old 07-26-22, 07:19 AM
  #14  
Margate330
Lexus Test Driver
 
Margate330's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: FL
Posts: 7,076
Received 985 Likes on 784 Posts
Default

Just recently got two new Firestone Firehawks put on the front for $350.00 total out the door.

My RX330 doesn't require expensive tires so I'm grateful for that.
Old 07-26-22, 09:03 AM
  #15  
timmy0tool
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
 
timmy0tool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: 714/949, SoCal
Posts: 6,991
Received 426 Likes on 380 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by JeffKeryk
Anyways, Continental ProContact RX 235/40/R19... List $364.
Wheel Works (Firestone) is pretty good to me; they gave me a little over 10% off.
$370 out the door, including the governor's tax.
Ouch!
did you get the warranty where they prorate the tire if another hazard were ever to happen again? that can bump the price up $20 or so.

as the kids say, "you gotta pay to play" .



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:55 PM.