'Are They Made Of Gold?:’ Lexus Driver Buys New Tires At the Dealership. Then She Gets The Bill

A woman says she bought new tires at the Lexus dealership immediately after paying off her car, only to be stuck with another big bill. 

In a TikTok that’s generated over 5,400 views as of this writing, Mindy (@mindyinminne) reveals how much it costs to get new tires for her Lexus.

"I paid off my car this week," she begins, adding, "Then today, I get to spend $1,800 on new tires so that’s exciting."

Reactions to her post ranged from confusion to blame.

"Buying tires at the dealership, that’s a no no," one opined.

"Congrats, and you should have gone to a Discount Tire. [Many] dealers charge you double," another added.

"Never ever ever buy tires at the dealership," a third advised.

Buying tires at the dealership can be costly. However, Mindy said that this was the best option in her area.

"Yes, after checking prices at several spots, it was about the same everywhere," Mindy replied to one critic.

Some simply made jokes at her expense.

"$400 per tire? What are they made of gold?" one joked. 

In another comment, Mindy added, "I called 4 different spots. Within $100 total price no matter where I went and the dealership had them in stock."

A few people defended her decision to buy tires at the Lexus dealership.

"Most dealerships have the same deals as tire shops and the tires and generally are about the same price or a little more *if you’re getting the same quality of tire* with the added benefit of getting a loan so you're not stuck at the shop all day long," one said.

"Sometimes the dealer is best," a second agreed. 

Should You Get Tires At The Dealership?

While most viewers suggested avoiding the dealership for new tires, is it really that bad?

Tires don’t last forever, so it’s inevitable for car owners to buy new ones at some point. J.D. Power notes that most tires should last 50,000 miles or for six years. These projections can change if the tires develop prematurely uneven tread or unexpected damage. This can somewhat depend on driving conditions and style.

But is over $400 per tire, like Mindy says she paid, out of line with industry pricing averages? Not necessarily.

Consumer Reports says members typically paid $212 per tire in its latest survey. According to Firestone Tire, budget-friendly tires range from $50 to $150 each. Mid-range tires can cost between $100 - $300 apiece.

And higher-end tires, often recommended for luxury vehicles like a Lexus, can range from $300 on up higher per tire.

When shopping for tires, it’s important to evaluate your options and shop around. Getting quotes from various retailers and dealerships can be vital to getting a good deal.

Consumer Reports suggests looking at the following types of stores when gathering quotes for tires:

• Big tire retail chain: Discount Tires, Dunn Tire, Les Schwab, etc.
• Online tire retailer: TireRack, Tirebuyer, etc.
• Brand tire chain: Firestone, Goodyear, etc.
• Big box retailer: Walmart, Costco, Sears etc.
• New car dealership: Any car dealership in your area
• Independent dealer or mechanic: Local auto parts stores or independent dealers

Are There Benefits of Buying Tires at a Dealership?

There are many options here, so let’s look at the new car dealership in particular. Traditionally, dealerships often charge more for automotive services and products. That isn’t always the case, however.

"Never hurts to check everywhere. Twice, the Ford dealer beat everyone, so we bought there. My last tires were from a very small independent mobile guy who came to my house and put them on in my driveway. We've also used chain stores," one Reddit user wrote on the r/personalfinance page.

One of the benefits of getting tires down at the dealership is that dealership techs are often highly knowledgeable about the specific make and model. In some cases, car dealerships offer special pricing on tires to lure customers in. And as an added benefit, dealerships typically have nicer waiting areas with snacks.

At the end of the day, the decision of where to buy depends on your budget and preferences. For some, the cheapest option is the best. For others, it’s worth that $1,800.

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As one person commented on Mindy’s post, "Yeah, but think how fancy your car will feel with new shoes."

Update Jan. 22: "It was made clear to me that my tires were more expensive because I have 19" rims, which are an upgrade on the GX460 and are not as common," Mindy told Motor1. "I also wanted tires that would be good in the snow and all season. I was shocked at how many people had big opinions on the topic,  and how many were quick to call me out on info they didn't have. Overall, the dealership was the best option as my car still has warranty and I get all of my maintenance done there."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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