Tsunamis and Tires
Ok, I never thought I would hear myself say this but—
The tsunamis kept me from putting the tires I wanted on my car!
How funny, eh? Let me explain.
In May, I put new tires on the front of my Trans Am. Unlike most times before, I did not want to just buy whatever tires the shop had in stock or the ones they just recommended. Not that I don’t think that tire guys (or girls, I don’t want to be biased) don’t know what they are talking about (that means you Billie, at Superior Tire in Goshen, OR…I really think you’re great), but I wanted to do my own research. Tires are a major purchase especially on a sports car. I knew I wanted tires that would not wear out to a slick nothingness (yes that’s a word) in two years. I wanted high performance tires that would be as grippy (yes that’s also a word…don’t argue) in the sunshine as they are in the rain. After doing my research, I was really excited to order BF Goodrich Ultra High G-force Super Sport A/S (Ultra High Performance All-Weather) tires for my car. They came highly recommended by experts (what a job—testing tires) and had wonderful customer reviews. They also had a long-life expectancy which for me was ideal. Tires should not wear out (ever in my opinion, but definitely not in the first few years in reality). So, for the price and for the type of driving I do (I’d like to believe I’m a race car driver but in actuality, I really just go to work, home and to hockey practice (except when I get a crazy bug and need to go travel, but even then my driving certainly doesn’t resemble Danica).
So, anyway, I ordered tires for the front of my car (buying 4 at that time was out of my price range) and when I went to have them put on at the shop (I also did my research there for the best price and service and that’s how I met Billie at Superior). I changed the 245s I had on the front for the 225s because the bigger ones were rubbing on my bumperette (what a cute name for that plastic piece that makes my car look all sporty—ok, ok, now I sound like a GIRL). I was going to keep the 245s on the back because they were beefier and looked cooler (also because it nice to have more traction surface in the back). My back tires were ok enough to last a few more months…which leads me to today and the tsunami issue.
Five months after putting the 225s on the front of my car, my back tires were shot. We’re talking “slick to the touch, no traction, my lovely mechanic warning me each time he saw me, sliding into the path of an on-coming semi driving home from work one day” shot. I drove the War Wagon for a week or two while waiting to have the money to put new tires on the back AND the day came—I was ready and I called Billie to order my 245s. The problem—they weren’t available. He explained there was a national shortage on tires because the tsunamis had created havoc on the rubber plants (yes, rubber does grow on trees, he explained to me as if I didn’t know that already—seriously???) The factories were making the most common tires first and the ones I wanted did not fit that “common” category. Of course. These fabulous 245s that I did all my research on were not available anywhere and wouldn’t be for an indefinite period of time. He did have 2 225s in stock.
I hung up with him made a few more phone calls and send a couple text messages to confirm my options. I WANTED THOSE 245s! Finally, with a pouty look on my face, I called him back and said I’d be in that afternoon for the 225s. After all, when the 245s do finally come in (and I’ll be watching you mark my words) I can keep the 225s as spares for the front.
Now I can drive without worry and honestly looking out the window at Tedee I can’t tell the difference visually…BUT I know and I want those 245s. They will be mine. There’d better not be anymore tsunamis.
