User 121721

I'm the original owner of a '98 C4 cabriolet and I am pretty sure I'm going to be selling the car this Spring/Summer.

The car has Michelin Pole Position tires on it new in 2004 with about 16,000 miles on them. The rears are down to the wear bar and the fronts probably have another few thousand miles left on them. I never drive the car in the rain so the wear on the back tires hasn't been an issue -- which is why I haven't replaced them.

I was going to put the Sumis on all four wheels prior to selling, but I thought maybe it would be better for the new owner to choose the tires he would want himself. Wouldn't want to turn off someone who didn't like that brand of tire.

What do you think?

95 NC 993

I agree 100%. Personal preference. Let the buyer choose. I like Michelin for my 993 and I would be unhappy with anything else.

abiazis

Sumis do rock though........let new owner pick, but that may open door to price negotiation......just stay firm on your price and someone will buy it with the old tires at your price....

Speedyellow993

Wait for the sale and use tire rack pricing to adjust price accordingly.

GL!

matt777

I'd put new tires on. Most buyers won't be that particular about the tire brand. With worn tires the buyer will wonder what else needs work.

Roche993

I agree with this. I would definately wonder what else has been "put off" because of lack of funds or laziness. Not that this is why-- as you explained, but that is what I would think.

NC TRACKRAT

With old tires on the car, it leaves up for negotiation just how much to allow for new tires. Big swing from $500 or so to a few thousand. I'd put on the Sumis and eliminate that as a bargaining chip.

goofballdeluxe

I'd put new tires on as well. A set of 4 Sumi HTRZ-III's will set you back less than $700.

CorrdoBrit

Perception counts for a lot. Get new tires if you hope to get full value out of the car. Especially true for a low mileage, high desirability example.

Mike J

Yup, agree new tires. When I was selling my Pathfinder with a worn out set of Michelins, the first thing people would look at is the tires, and once they saw they were worn out, start talking about the rest of the maintenance history. I took the truck to a local tire store and put on a matching set of tires with about 30% wear...the questions stopped and I sold the truck. In that case, well worth the $300 for the net effect.

New tires will give the impression that you take care of your cars (not that you don't... :-) ).

Cheers,

Mike

Chuck W.

I can see both sides. As a compromise, see if you can pick up a used set on Craigslist that have at least 50% thread left. Should be able to do that for $400 mounted.

Wilder

New set of Summies.

Think of your average buyer. As a car enthusiast, I would hate to get stuck with new tires I don't like because tires are very important to me. But most people (and likely most people who will be looking at your car) shopping for a used car want as perfect and "like-new" as possible. So long as you don't put on some no-name tires, new tires will show the car off well.

Mike J

If its a p-car guy who buys the car, they have the savvy to sell the tires if they want. If not, then they will likely be so infatuated with the car that they will just like that the tires are new....

nile13

I am 100% with Chuck on seeing both side. Look at Craigslist and eBay. I think that a set of rear tires should be closer to $200-300 mounted and balanced.

If I would not change tires, I'd use it to my advantage. People will find something wrong with the car and make it a negotiating point. So make it obvious for them. Tell them, right in the ad, that you have specifically did nto change tires to allow for the buyer to exercise their preference. And that you are willing to reduce the price by the cost of a set of tires. That makes buyer happy and less likely to negotiate other points.

PS. "I don't drive in the rain so wear on rear tires is not an issue" is not a valid argument. They are not in good shape and neither are yo when you are braking or cornering wet or dry.

dcdude

My fear is that the average novice 993 buyer (who isn't?) will consider Sumies to be just that, "no-name." [note- I have and like my Sumies]

Check Craigs and Ebay to see if you can find a set of Pole Positions in nice shape for the rear. Everyone knows Michelin.