My 68 dart is daily driven, rain snow sleet or shine.
So the front tires are showing some wear and it's getting bad. I have a radio delete so I listen to the car very carefully and I know it very well.
Last night I could feel a bit of a shimmy and it's because they are getting really worn and I think one is starting to bulge. Not really a heart break because I have had these tires a long time now and they are getting worn within their time.
So I go to Discount tire.
"how can I help you" the guy says. I tell him I need a pair of front tires and I tell him the size I want and point to the car through the window.
He says, Ok, I will just go have a look at what size it has now. I say, it doesn't really matter because the size I am asking for is different because I don't like the size there and I want a slightly taller tire.
He says, well it's not really good practice to change the tire size because it can cause pre-mature suspension wear and throw off the speedometer.
I tell him, that is ok, I have a tin full of different speedometer gears if I need to change it to get it closer.
he says, can you hold on one moment. He goes and starts talking to another guy and they go outside to look at the car.
he comes back and says ....based on the condition of this car I would assume you drive it everyday...right? I say yes, I drive it anywhere and everywhere.
He says "miss, you should really consider driving a newer car, these old dinosaurs are just not safe or reliable"
So I say, " are you going to lecture me or sell me some tires??
He says, I can only sell you the same size that is there and they have to be put on the back.
I said " I don't want them on the back because those back tires are fine and where I want them."
he just stared and I said ok, that is fine and I just walked out.
Then I went to a local Mexican tire shop that sells new and used. I told the guy in there what size I want and that I want two NEW ones. He said " yes ma'am". I said I want them on the front. He said "yes Ma'am". He has me pick the ones I want from the rack and then says to help myself to coffee or a get a free complimentary soda while I wait.
twenty minutes later I was driving away with my brand new tires, balanced and all.
Is it really so freaking hard