On Thu, 08 Jul 2004 19:48:43 -0700, Randall Fox
<fox_no_spam-usenet001@yahoo.com> wrote:

>I have a 96 prelude with Futura Ultra Z 205/55 r15 tires.
>
>I got it used with these tires, and it also came with a tire road
>hazard warranty..
>
>The tires have about 20k on them and by all sign show to be about 1/2
>worn..
>
>I caught a nail in one of the tires, and its close to the sidewall..
>Pep Boys (they handle the road hazard warranty) said they can't patch
>it because its too close to the sidewall, and probably wouldn't
>work/hold..
>
>They offered to replace my tire with a lesser tire, Futura Touring
>VR.. Tire cost is $65 and they prorate it to $45.. The replacement
>is not a directional tire, like the original tire..
>
>I didn't like the idea of having just one new and different type of
>tire, so they offered two at that price (45).. Out of pocket total
>$90 plus tax..

If you're going to have mismatched pairs of tires, which, though usually
not recommended, may not be that bad, I'd think it better to go for a pair
of major brand tires with similar speed rating... until the old Futura
Ultra Zs are worn out. Personally I would not buy PepBoy's tires.

>The original tire (Futura Ultra Z) is being phased out in the stores,
>and so that's why they couldn't replace it with the same type.

It still shows on their Web site and there is no mention of the Futura VR
there.

>Now, I went home and called around, and in most of the pep boys, they
>didn't have the tire, except one store across town had just two of
>them.
>
>The original tire cost is about $90-100, and I would estimate after
>they prorate it, my out of pocket expense would be $65 per tire..
>
>Is it ok to just get one tire? Should I try to get it patched/plugged
>instead? Or should I get two new tires? What is the safest?

I'd go for two new tires.

>I would prefer to get a single tire of the exact same type as the
>originals.. This seems like the safest route and almost the cheapest
>route, but I wonder if it will affect performance, or perhaps safety?
>
>I am looking for advice, I'm no tire expert, so any advice is
>appreciated..

If you like the tires, in that situation, I'd go for a pair of the
scarce(?) Futura Ultra Zs and keep the non-damaged worn one in the
garage... just in case you get another flat. If you're not that keen on
them, get a pair of something you prefer which will not be too bad a
mismatch - talk to a good tire shop.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??